Shane Long came off the bench to rescue a point for the Republic of Ireland and keep alive the chances of Martin O’Neill’s men making it to the European Championship. The Irish were in danger of suffering a grievous defeat after falling behind to first-half goal from Slawomir Peszko, but the hosts mounted a rousing fightback in the second period and were rewarded when Long clipped the ball into the net from close range following a corner in stoppage time.
Ireland’s 150,000-strong Polish community had mobilised in earnest, ensuring an ample and boisterous scattering of red-and-white-clad fans all around the Aviva Stadium, but this was still a home game for Ireland and O’Neill had been insisting since the start of the campaign that he would strive to make trips to Dublin an ordeal for opponents. His team selection suggested that no matter what happened, he could not be accused of excessive caution. He had vowed earlier in the week that he would “go for it” and the victories of Scotland and Germany earlier in the day may have hardened that resolve.
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source Sport | The Guardian http://ift.tt/1BUhywN
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