“James McClean, you have the freedom of Coppers.”
Not has a nation jumped up in unison and roared their little hearts out as much since Robbie Brady jumped up to nod the ball into the back of the Italian net in the Euros in 2016.
When James McClean connected with the ball in the middle of the Welsh box tonight in Cardiff, it was only going one place.
You talk about time standing still but honestly, as Arter somehow managed to spot the fact that McClean was making a bursting run behind him and the winger shaped up to take the shot, we finally understood what George Hamilton meant in 1990 about a nation holding its breath.
There is something truly beautiful about those seconds of wait from when the ball leaves his boot and connects with the Welsh goal.
James McClean, you have the freedom of Coppers. 🙌
— Copper Face Jacks (@CopperFaceJacks) October 9, 2017
As the full-time whistle went, McClean went straight over to his wife in the stands. In a time as emotional as this, he needed to surround himself with people who have been with him through the ups and the downs and after celebrating with his team-mates, she was his next go-to person.
SCENES!
We are in the World Cup Play-Off draw. Happy Days#WALIRL #RTESoccerhttps://t.co/x4MB8noZgN pic.twitter.com/WzZ6trazGm— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 9, 2017
We patiently waited for Darragh Maloney to switch back to Wales. McClean was joined by his manager and they were described as men of the moment by Tony O’Donoghue.
O’Donoghue went to the gaffer first who congratulated all his team especially the number 11 who was stood beside him.
“McClean here, beside me, has come up big again, he has splendid in this tournament and well done him and well done the team.”
McClean joked about whether Arter meant the dummy or not when asked about the goal by O’Donoghue and completely shut down his team-mate David Meyler’s claim that he had ‘shinned’ the ball into the back of the net.
Then, the interview was cut off as O’Donoghue shaped up to ask another question about the heroic performance by O’Neill.
“We’re finished,” says O’Neill as he puts out his hand to beckon McClean to follow him back to the dressing room and rightly so.
As McClean said, the goal means nothing unless we go and qualify. O’Neill and McClean could have sat there for an hour talking about the performance and the goal and isn’t it great that we’re in the play-offs.
Instead, they will leave all their talking until the middle of November when they know for certain whether or not we have secured a spot in Russia.
It might have seemed rude at the time but it just shows you the desire that O’Neill and his team have to reach the finals in 2018.
Tonight, Martin O’ Neill decided that the time for talking is over and the time for playing has begun.
Two Derrymen reflect on a famous night for Irish football #WALIRL #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/zKsQxJu5NI
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 9, 2017
