Wow.
Within the space of a minute, Wes Hoolahan broke our hearts and mended them again when he followed up a dreadful miss with the best cross of his career for Robbie Brady to give Ireland a precious 1-0 win over Italy.
We deserved it. We were excellent, and go through to a clash against France next Sunday.
What a night, here’s how the second half unfolded…
We started the second half wanting more of this…
Go on Shlong! #saintsfc #ITAIRL pic.twitter.com/kN7FGNW0MQ
— SaintsNews&Views (@SaintsfcViews) June 22, 2016
As Ireland pressed, and the disappointment of that dreadful non-penalty faded into the background (for now), there was a fair bit of optimism…
hand Seamus Coleman the armband and he will turn into a total beast
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) June 22, 2016
Ireland are completely dominating possession. In a manner we reserve for the Andorras and Gibraltars of this world.#IRLITA
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/Paul__Ring/status/745711845160423425
Then things started getting a bit antsy…
Dear Martin, put on Wes. Thanks, Ireland. #COYBIG
— Oliver Callan (@olivercallan) June 22, 2016
Wes soon I think
— Paul Little (@little_football) June 22, 2016
Centre half having a go from 40 yards. Definition of desperate #COYBIG
— Seamus Conwell (@SeamusConwell) June 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/MolloyJoe/status/745714840933703680
Where's Conor Sammon when you need him? #itairl #irl
— Rob Morgan (@RobMorganDublin) June 22, 2016
Then, with around 15 minutes to go and the score still 0-0, we got nervous. Very nervous. And we cursed that bloody referee again.
If anyone finds this referee, tell him he needs to come and see us! #IRLITA #coybig #shouldve pic.twitter.com/xJ3433imE2
— Specsavers Ireland (@SpecsaversIE) June 22, 2016
Then O’Neill brought Wes on…
If Messi can break records, Wessi can change the tune#IRLITA
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 22, 2016
12th man. Only getting louder. #IRLITA #coybig pic.twitter.com/ATDD3EIyF2
— JOE.ie (@JOEdotie) June 22, 2016
If I was religious I'd probably light a candle now & say a prayer to St Anthony for Hoolahan to find a goal. #IRLITA
— Fiona Kenny (@FionaKenny1) June 22, 2016
Less than ten minutes to go, it was time for Robbie…
Robbie coming on #hero
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) June 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/KevBeirne/status/745717961575505921
Then there was Wes, and THAT miss… BUT THEN ROBBIE BRADY GAVE US THE LEAD!!!
GWAN IRELAND AND TAKE THAT MY NEIGHBOURS #IREvITA
— Philly Byrne (@PhilipNByrne) June 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/McDonnellDan/status/745718578318557190
https://twitter.com/ericlalor/status/745718570135523328
Robbie Brady. You fucking ride #COYBIG
— Niamhers (@niamhhassell) June 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/colemakf/status/745718546760601601
The reaction to the goal…
Irish fans celebrating wildly in the stadium. Absolutely glorious. #IRLITA pic.twitter.com/wHhz4WcMhT
— JOE.ie (@JOEdotie) June 22, 2016
