Seamus Coleman toasted a "massive" three points as he paid tribute to his team-mates and the travelling Green Army after the Republic of Ireland's 1-0 defeat of Austria.
James McClean finished off a sweeping counter-attack two minutes after the break to give the visitors three precious World Cup qualification points in Vienna.
It was a performance full of heart and no little quality, and the captain was impressed.
"It's brilliant, a massive three points," he told RTÉ Sport.
"I say it all the time, when I come out with this group of lads it's a privilege.
"We rode our luck a few times but the likes of Jonny Walters up top, James McClean, his back is hanging off and he put in a performance like that, David Meyler's been waiting for a chance and he was different class.
McClean has been in fine form for his country. The West Brom bagged a brace against Moldova last month and fired home the winner on Saturday evening.
"We're really proud of our fans" - the skipper is delighted with a great evening's work #RTEsoccer https://t.co/FKQ87JdD6E
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 12, 2016
Coleman said the 27-year-old has taken his game to a new level over the last 12 months.
"He's really taken to the green shirt the last year the last year. He's been brilliant since the Euros.
"You know what you're going to get from James, what a finish.
"There's a long way to go but we're really happy and really proud of our fans.
"We know it's three points but it's massive, and them fans who've come out here for us - three and a half thousand and that's what it means to us as well."
