O’Neill went on to praise the other members of his backroom team, including Seamus McDonagh, Steve Walford and Steve Guppy, saying he “couldn’t be more pleased” with their contribution.
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Roy Keane wants to return to club management but the Republic of Ireland assistant boss will remain in his current role for Euro 2016.
It may not have been especially pretty, but even without the vast experience of John O’Shea and Shay Given, a makeshift partnership of Ciaran Clark and Richard Keogh defended manfully in front of Darren Randolph in both legs. There’s a few times when it looked like we were down and out but we didn’t believe that. In the first half, we didn’t create too many chances, but we kept going.
“There’s been a number of fantastic performances and I think Walters has topped the lot – he’s just been sensational”. I’ve stepped up to the plate. “A couple of words of advice for you, Paul”, said Martin O’Neill.
West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph has not been first-choice goalkeeper throughout the qualifying campaign, but said he would savour the moment after helping his country make it to France.
Stoke striker Jonathan Walters was the hero on his return from suspension as he converted a controversial 24th-minute penalty and then volleyed home 20 minutes from time to wrap up a victory which means he and his team-mates will take part in a second successive European finals tournament.
“I don’t like to say more because that’s not the way; the way is to contact them and if we are not happy we have to tell them”. Everyone involved was excellent and we did everything we needed to and now we’re off to France.
“But if I’m a national coach I don’t put a player after five or six weeks with injury and one training session into an important game”.
“I don’t think you’d want to get on the wrong side of him, but he’s definitely got that man-management side to him”.
“The biggest decision was bringing Roy Keane in”, O’Neill said.
“It takes the boy down mentally and it is hard because all we can do is give total support to the player”.
The winger, who has played all 14 of Albion’s league and cup matches this term, was also a victor off the pitch last night.
The Aviva Stadium was awash in green and white as the team and their jubilant fans were left to celebrate the end of a long road, which saw them fall just short of automatic progression despite a brilliant win and draw double against the Germans.
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“This is a special night”.
