The Republic of Ireland qualified for the World Cup on an emotional, historic night at Hampden Park after Amber Barrett rose from the bench to settle a nerve-jangling clash in Glasgow.All the permutations and possibilities of a ridiculously complex play-off system were washed away as Portugal beat Iceland and the Irish prevailed over the Scots to ensure they head to the finals as one of the two best-ranked teams.Two days ago hundreds gathered for a vigil in Milford, Co Donegal - Barrett's home town - in memory of the 10 people who lost their lives in the explosion at the service station in Creeslough.Tonight, she wrote herself into Irish sporting folklore, kissing the black armband on her shirt in tribute to those souls after she’d found the net 18 minutes from time.Scotland threw everything at Vera Pauw’s team in an unbearably tense finale.
But this incredibly resilient side would not bend.They have smashed through a barrier, five years, six months and seven days since they had to make a stand inside Liberty Hall just to get their own tracksuits.'Respect’, read the slogan on their T-shirts that day.
And now? Try ‘History’. ‘Trailblazers’. ‘Icons’.They are going where no Ireland women’s team have gone before.Ireland are going to the World Cup.In his match programme notes Scotland boss Pedro Martinez Losa issued a simple instruction to the home fans: "Be loud".
They obliged with a typically committed pre-kick-off Flower Of Scotland that was followed by an immaculately observed minute's silence in tribute to those who died in the explosion in Creeslough, Co Donegal.Ireland settled well on a chilly night in Glasgow – pressing high and biting at the Scots’ heels.Katie McCabe’s effort from outside the box was charged down;