The Republic of Ireland ended years of frustration by reaching their first major finals since the 2002 World Cup as they qualified for Euro 2012 on Tuesday.
A 1-1 draw at home to Estonia was sufficient to give them a 5-1 aggregate victory and only their second appearance at a European Championships, the previous one being in 1988.
They were joined by Croatia and 1996 finalists the Czech Republic as they saw off Turkey and Montenegro respectively - the Croats drawing 0-0 at home to progress 3-0 on aggregate and the Czechs winning 1-0 away to also qualify 3-0 on aggregate.
For Croatia it was sweet revenge as they had been knocked out by the Turks in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals on penalties, while for the Czechs it was some consolation for missing out on last year's World Cup finals.
The Irish qualification will be particularly sweet for the trio of Shay Given, Damien Duff and skipper Robbie Keane, the only three starting the match who had appeared for Ireland at their last major finals - the penalty shootout loss to Spain in the second round of the 2002 World Cup finals.
Keane had two great opportunities to add to his 53 international goals in the first five minutes - the first one was cleared and then his next effort was just wide of the post from only five yards out.
The Irish dominance paid-off finally in the 32nd minute as Stephen Ward pounced on the rebound after Estonian goalkeeper Pavel Londak had saved Kevin Doyle's header - the Wolves defender's second goal for his country even provoked Giovanni Trapattoni to smile.
Not even a second-half equaliser by Konstantin Vassiljev was enough to dampen the celebrations of the 51,000 spectators, a record attendance at the Aviva Stadium for a football international.
Montenegro gave the Czechs some nervous moments especially in the second-half with star striker Mirko Vucinic prominent setting up Dejan Damjanovic, whose shot was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Petr Cech.
Vucinic, though, had his head in his hands in despair in the 54th minute as with the goal at his mercy and just three yards out he sent his header over the bar.
Several other chances went begging and the hosts paid the price as nine minutes from time when Petr Jiracek caught the defence napping and planted his shot into the back of the net.
Montenegro coach Branko Brnovic cursed his side's luck, as they failed to repeat their heroics against England when they came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in their home qualifier.
"I am sad, we didn't have any luck, Montenegro played well, especially in the second-half, when we created chance after chance and we then conceded a goal out of nothing," he said.
Croatia had few anxious moments as another tame display by the Turks ensured a rare failure at this level for Dutch coach Guus Hiddink.
The visitors only effort of note was a Selcuk Inan crossshot in the first-half which beat the 'keeper and came back off the post in what was Hiddink's final match in charge.
Source: AFP
