Saint Patrick might have driven the snakes out of Ireland, but Heimir Hallgrimsson summoned the nation’s serpentine spirit to conjure a magnificent victory over Portugal.
It was a remarkable night in Lansdowne Road as Ireland reignited their World Cup hopes by first outthinking, and then outplaying their esteemed visitors to record one of the most impressive, and perhaps most important, results of the last decade.
A narrow defeat in Lisbon last month did nothing for the standings in Group F, however, the performance provided the belief that the team could, once again, compete with the world’s fifth-ranked side.
And they duly delivered at the second time of asking as Hallgrimsson’s gameplan worked to perfection on an emotional night at Aviva Stadium.
The manager felt that Portugal had become predictable and had failed to change their approach throughout this campaign, and while they enjoyed early success, winning their first three games, they were then held by Hungary in their previous game before Ireland turned them over.
A team that only plays one way can leave themselves open and vulnerable in defence, and Hallgrimsson explained how his side managed to get such success against a unit packed full of stars from the top leagues in Europe.
"It was a similar game, a lot of identical things they tried, so we knew how they would play against a low-block defence," said Hallgrimsson, speaking to the media after the game on Thursday night.
"And it was nothing different in the games after they played us. So, yeah, we expected the same, we were ready for that. And again, give credit to the players that played the defensive part really well.
"When you play a low block, it's like being a snake, you lure the opponents higher.
"They have such an attacking team, everybody would like to score. And that just opens more than half a pitch behind them.
"And we have Chieo (Ogbene), one of the fastest players, and then you have Troy (Parrott) and Finn (Azaz) as well. Clever guys using the space behind.
"So that's what happens when you have a lot of ball possession and a lot of attacking players, you lose balance, and they did on a few occasions."
The focus immediately turns to Sunday’s game in Budapest, and while the main concern is making sure the players can replenish their energy levels ahead of the vital decider against Hungary, the manager urged his side to enjoy the victory.
Hallgrimsson believes that every win, even the slender 1-0 over Armenia in October, needs to be celebrated, while reflecting on the reason that the victory was achieved, emphasising the collective nature of the result.
"It's OK to be happy, but remember why we achieved this. What made us win," said the Icelander.
"It was a collective work. It was teamwork. It was hard work and discipline. Focus and discipline that created this. So just don't enjoy winning and having points, remember what made us win.
"That's the most important, what made us win, what created this win, that's the most important going to Hungary, and yes, it's a time to joy, even though you didn't enjoy or thought there was no joy after the Armenia win here at home, there's a joy.
"We should enjoy every win we get. It doesn't come every day, so this was a good win, yes, but it was only three points like the Armenia game."
Hallgrimsson is a big believer in the notion that winning aids recovery and it is why he expects his side to be at full tilt and brimming with belief for Sunday’s "cup final" to see which side progresses to the play-offs in March.
Hungary, of course, only need a draw to deny Ireland that coveted second spot, however, the manager is more than content to have taken the campaign to the final game and requiring a win in the process.
"After this game, of course there's belief," said Hallgrimsson. "Let's use this in a positive way. Let's use this to regain as much energy as we can, and I think winning always helps recovery.
"So now that's the focus, we shifted to Hungary, and I think sometimes it's just better to go and need to win, rather than a draw is enough.
"You probably become passive when that happens. We just need to go, and we need to win, and it's a cup final."
Hungary began the campaign on the front foot by taking a vital point from Ireland in Dublin, and subsequently pushed Portugal twice, while taking maximum points from Armenia.
But now, into the home straight, it is Ireland who appear to have the momentum and are looking to finish stronger with the pressure piled on the home side on Sunday to get over the line.
"They have been leading, like we talked about when we started this campaign.
"We wanted to have at least four points after the first camp and be leading from there, but we've been chasing and now we can overtake them on the last day of the campaign.
"A draw is not enough for us. We always wanted to go to the last game and have a chance, and we have it now."
Watch Hungary v Republic of Ireland in World Cup qualifying on Sunday from 1.00pm on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
