Everton right-back Seamus Coleman has admitted he was “close to tears” when the Republic of Ireland took a 2-0 lead against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday night.
The Irish were protecting the slender lead given to them by Jon Walters’ 24th-minute penalty when the Stoke striker popped up with his second of the night at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
With the first leg ending all square at 1-1 in Zenica, the pressure was firmly on Martin O’Neill’s side and they did not disappoint their fans with a clean sheet and an eventual 3-1 victory on aggregate.
Coleman, 27, missed out on a place in the squad for Euro 2012, but he will be there in France next summer – fitness permitting – as the Irish look to make a better impression after losing all three group games last time around in Ukraine.
The defender said: “When Jonny’s second goal went in, I was close to tears. It was one of those moments – it was something I wanted all my life.
“Even talking about it now, I’m getting butterflies. It’s hard to put into words; it’s such an amazing moment.