Midfielder James McClean hailed a professional performance from his Republic of Ireland team-mates after contributing a brace in their 7-0 rout of Euro 2016 qualifying minnows Gibraltar.
Robbie Keane scored a hat-trick inside 12 first-half minutes - including the opener after just six minutes - to give the home side a decisive lead in Dublin and take his individual tally in international football to 65.
Wigan player McClean then got in on the act after the break, scoring either side of goalkeeper Jordan Perez's own goal, and Wes Hoolahan completed the rout with a 56th-minute effort to make it two wins out of two for the Irish in Group D.
McClean told Sky Sports: "We did a professional job, we prepared the right way. It was important to get the early goal and settle everyone down.
"The goals meant everything. Playing for my country is the greatest privilege in football and to score goals, my first home goals as well, it's something that will be with me forever. Hopefully I can push on from that and get a few more."
Martin O'Neill's men now take their qualifying campaign to Gelsenkirchen and a meeting with world champions Germany on Tuesday night, and McClean knows the importance of having two wins under their belt ahead of that match.
He said: "We've got six points on the board and from the start that was our objective going into Germany.
"We're under no illusions that's going to be a really tough ask, but hopefully we can go there and get at least a point."
"You turn in and try to make yourself big and I managed to get my big loaf on it. So I was delighted with that one"
It was a different story at the other end of the field for Ireland goalkeeper David Forde, as he enjoyed one of the quieter nights in his career.
"Clean sheets at international level are hard to come by so I’m absolutely delighted we kept a clean sheet and scored some goals," said Forde.
"I think we probably stepped off the gas a bit in the second half with an eye on Tuesday."
Forde admitted it can be difficult to keep your concentration when in goal on a night like tonight, but he showed he was alert when he kept out Joseph Chipolina’s powerful header late in the second half.
"To be fair the delivery of the ball was top class. It was head high, flat, away from goal and the player’s managed to turn and sometimes you turn in and try to make yourself big and I managed to get my big loaf on it. So I was delighted with that one.
"Sometimes I have to pinch myself, you know what I mean? Sometimes you get caught up with the fans and everything else.
"It's difficult sometimes in those games because it's difficult to concentrate in any walk of life for 90 minutes, so you gotta keep tuned in. You have your little drills, switching on and off when it’s up their end. But once it comes into your end or your final third that’s like a traffic light."
Gibraltar goalkeeper Jordan Perez had a difficult night, conceding seven goals and scoring a comical own goal. Forde was full of sympathy for his opposite number, but glad he was on the right end of the result.
"I spoke to him coming off the pitch. I felt for him because they are not nice nights," said the Millwall man.
"All of a sudden it’s like your whole world is caving in, the focus you feel is thoroughly on the keeper.
"He was disappointed afterwards, but we’ve all been there on the back of heavy defeats and not having good nights, but that makes you stronger."
