Gallery: Ireland's Path to Qualification

Updated / Wednesday, 1 Jun 2016 10:20
Aidan McGeady shone bright in the Group D opener in Tbilisi against Georgia, scoring twice, with his superb second clinching victory in the 90th minute in September 2014
Aidan McGeady shone bright in the Group D opener in Tbilisi against Georgia, scoring twice, with his superb second clinching victory in the 90th minute in September 2014
A month later Robbie Keane and Wes Hoolohan were among the scorers as Ireland saw off Gibraltar 7-0 to make it two wins from two
A month later Robbie Keane and Wes Hoolohan were among the scorers as Ireland saw off Gibraltar 7-0 to make it two wins from two
Ireland's sternest test came away to Germany and John O'Shea was the hero with a dramatic 94th minute equaliser, while winning his 100th cap
Ireland's sternest test came away to Germany and John O'Shea was the hero with a dramatic 94th minute equaliser, while winning his 100th cap
Toni Kroos had given Germany the lead, but it was the Ireland fans who were celebrating at the end in Gelsenkirchen
Toni Kroos had given Germany the lead, but it was the Ireland fans who were celebrating at the end in Gelsenkirchen
However, the comedown arrived in Scotland as Shaun Maloney scored a 75th-minute winner to settle an even encounter in Glasgow in November 2014
However, the comedown arrived in Scotland as Shaun Maloney scored a 75th-minute winner to settle an even encounter in Glasgow in November 2014
In March 2015 Ireland again left it late, this time Shane Long salvaging a point at home to Poland
In March 2015 Ireland again left it late, this time Shane Long salvaging a point at home to Poland
Scotland arrived in June at the Aviva with Ireland trailing their Celtic cousins by two points in the standings - Ireland in fourth place
Scotland arrived in June at the Aviva with Ireland trailing their Celtic cousins by two points in the standings - Ireland in fourth place
James McCarthy was up against the country of his birth but Ireland could only manage a draw - seriously denting their qualification hopes
James McCarthy was up against the country of his birth but Ireland could only manage a draw - seriously denting their qualification hopes
The Group D standings didn't look good for Ireland following the 1-1 draw at the Aviva
The Group D standings didn't look good for Ireland following the 1-1 draw at the Aviva
Cyrus Christie helped Ireland to a routine 4-0 win over Gibraltar, while Scotland lost 1-0 away to Georgia to give Martin O'Neill's men hope
Cyrus Christie helped Ireland to a routine 4-0 win over Gibraltar, while Scotland lost 1-0 away to Georgia to give Martin O'Neill's men hope
Then Jonathan Walters struck for a 1-0 win over Georgia at the Aviva, while Scotland lost to Germany - and Ireland suddenly led Scotland by four points and lay two points off second-placed Poland
Then Jonathan Walters struck for a 1-0 win over Georgia at the Aviva, while Scotland lost to Germany - and Ireland suddenly led Scotland by four points and lay two points off second-placed Poland
Then came victory over Germany at the Aviva in Octber - Shane Long was Ireland's hero. He beat Manuel Neur with a powerful shot and Ireland drew level in the standings with Poland, who drew with Scotland, with one game to go
Then came victory over Germany at the Aviva in Octber - Shane Long was Ireland's hero. He beat Manuel Neur with a powerful shot and Ireland drew level in the standings with Poland, who drew with Scotland, with one game to go
However, Ireland went down 2-1 to the Poles in Warsaw and had to settle for a play-off place after Robert Lewandowski bagged the winner
However, Ireland went down 2-1 to the Poles in Warsaw and had to settle for a play-off place after Robert Lewandowski bagged the winner
Bosnia and Herzegovina were the play-off opponents and Robbie Brady the hero in the fog as his late equaliser gave the Boys in Green the advantage following a 1-1 away first leg
Bosnia and Herzegovina were the play-off opponents and Robbie Brady the hero in the fog as his late equaliser gave the Boys in Green the advantage following a 1-1 away first leg
And Ireland finished the job in some style, with Jonathan Walters striking twice for a 2-0 win at the Aviva
And Ireland finished the job in some style, with Jonathan Walters striking twice for a 2-0 win at the Aviva
And so Ireland secured a 3-1 aggregate victory and a place at France 2016
And so Ireland secured a 3-1 aggregate victory and a place at France 2016

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