Wes Hoolahan reflected on his finest moment in a Republic of Ireland shirt after the 1-1 draw with Sweden, and insisted a "magnificent" display has set Martin O'Neill's men up for a crack at group favourites Belgium.
Hoolahan steered in one of the best goals Ireland have ever scored at a major tournament in the 47th minute at Stade de France to put his side ahead and on track for what would have been a famous victory.
The Swedes rallied, and Ciaran Clark's own goal 19 minutes from time gave them a share of the spoils and left Ireland with a bittersweet feeling from their Euro 2016 opener.
Hoolahan stressed the positives though, and praised a gutsy performance from the Boys in Green.
"It was a fantastic set-up by Seamus," the 34-year-old told RTÉ Sport when recounting his goal.
"It's just come to me, I caught it on the half-volley and I was delighted to see it go in the back of net. To get a goal for Ireland in the Euros is a great achievement.
"Fair play to the boys out there today they were magnificent. We were unlucky not to get the three points in the end but we'll take the point. We started well, we created a lot of chances: Jeff off the crossbar, Longy nearly got a chance, O'Shea off the back stick.
"To get a goal for Ireland in the Euros is a great achievement."
"In the first half we were excellent and at the start of the second half we were excellent as well. Unfortunately the last 20 minutes we let it get away from us but the boys should be proud of themselves. We put in a great performance."
The Norwich playmaker was withdrawn in the 77th minute for Robbie Keane, but insisted it was merely down to his fatigue after a full-blooded contest rather than injury, and immediately set his sights on having a pop at the Belgians.
"My calves tightened up a little bit," Hoolahan revealed. "I should be fine. It was end to end stuff.
"It's a great point in the end. I look forward to playing Belgium next, we'll look at [their clash with Italy] tonight and see how that goes."
Manager Martin O'Neill echoed Hoolahan's comments and challenged his side to build on this performance and go on to claim a victory.
Asked if Ireland would now have to do something special against either the Belgians or the Italians, he said: "Well, after today, I think that's probably true.
"It would have been great. I know how Wales feel - they have got three points on the board and it does make an awful difference. But we'll fight it through.
"We have got the two games coming up, very, very tough matches against two sides who are pretty classy, but again if I can take anything from the performance tonight, it is just that the players looked accomplished, which was great.
"We have desire, we have a never-say-die spirit, but I thought they looked accomplished and I think that's players growing into international football, which helps."
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