It has been a week to remember for Irish international football, and a late goal at Tallaght Stadium kept the home atmosphere high.
In a match watched by senior manager Stephen Kenny, Ollie O’Neill kept Ireland’s U21s’ hopes of European Championship qualifiers alive as his winner in stoppage time won 1-0 over group leaders Sweden.
O’Neill scored with seconds left to move his team to within four points of his Group F opponents with one game left.
The visitors had a chance in the opening 20 minutes when Rami Al Hajj was denied by home goalkeeper Brian Maher.
Ross Tierney almost put the hosts in the lead just before half-time but he could not connect with a post from Will Smallbone.
Amin Sarr went close for the visitors while Tyreik Wright forced a save by Samuel Brolin at the other end.
But when the match was apparently on its way to a draw, O’Neill found space on the left, went past his defender and put the ball in the lower left corner.
“Absolutely nothing is happening in my head right now,” he told RTÉ Sport. “It’s probably the best feeling I’ve ever had.”
O’Neill missed the last Irish camp because of Covid. This made Tuesday night’s story ending even more memorable for the Fulham man.
“To come in tonight and score a goal, it’s unbelievable, in such a big match for the qualifiers as well. It’s a great moment. “