Two goal wonder Walters thrilled with victory

Jonathan Walters’ two goals proved the play-off difference as Ireland defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina to ensure they will join neighbours Northern Ireland, England and Wales in France next June.

 

It was a night full of emotion in the stadium – in the stands and out on the pitch. Walters after the game reflected on what qualification meant for him personally and for the players, coaching staff and the wider support built around the Ireland squad.

 

In the aftermath of the game sports as the stadium had cleared BBC Sports commentator Conor McNamara took a picture of Walters out on the Aviva turf on his own in front of the newly emptied stands. When asked as to what he was thinking at that time Walters confirmed that he “was thinking of my family up there. My family up on the other side, wife, kids, aunts and uncles.”

 

After captaining Ireland away in Poland last month, Walters said he was very proud of his team and he thought of his mother as well after the dust had settled on the celebrations.

 

 “Without a shadow of a doubt, Mum passed away when I was 11. I made a decision at a very young age to play for Ireland at 16/17 when I was asked and I’m sure she was smiling down at me tonight.

 



Back in the dressingroom the Stoke City striker celebrated with a selfie in the dressingroom with Ireland President Michael D. Higgins. Speaking later to the press the goalscorer in each half was determined to convey that it was a team effort. He was full of praise for the defenders who helped to get another clean sheet at home against opposition ranked ahead of Ireland in the world rankings.

 

“We got there in the end,” said Walters about the 2-0 second leg victory. “It’s the whole team. It’s everybody, the squad, the staff. There were some great performances all over the pitch, the likes of Richie Keogh at the back.

 

“It was a really difficult game and there was some real shifts put in at the back. The second half there was backs to the wall but we did it.”

 



Scoring the goals that guaranteed Ireland will be at the European Championships in France next summer would be classed by many as fairytale stuff and the stuff that dreams are made of. The winger clearly agrees but yet again stressed how much of a team effort it was to get this Irish side, one that had been written off by many, to France next summer.

 

“You couldn’t write it. I said it was always a target at the start and that it was never going to be an easy road to qualification. It was never going to be a straight line as there was going to be ups and downs but thankfully there in the end we got it. We had our aim and we hit it. It’s unbelievable stuff from everybody.

 

“But it’s not about me hitting the two goals, while I get plaudits; it’s about everybody else, all the people behind the scenes. It’s difficult coming away from your family; it’s not just the players it’s everybody the physios, kit men, security staff, medics but we’re a close bunch.”

 

Back in June when Ireland had drew with Scotland many thought that the Boys in Green had blown their chance and that the Tartan Army were going to progress to France. However the team under O’Neill and Keane regrouped and they were delighted to come out the right way in the end considering what had been said about them afterwards.

 

“Scotland was a bit of a low and we stuck together when people said we weren’t going to qualify and we always knew that some of what people said will now come back to bite them.”

 

Next summer offers Walters and Co. a chance to make amends for the poor performances produced in Poland back in 2012. Walters was keen to emphasise this in the aftermath of the game while mentioning that many of the players had never played in a major tournament before and this will be their chance to shine.

 

“Obviously, we had a very difficult group and you want to perform at the highest level. There are obviously a lot of young lads in there who want to perform at the highest level and this is their chance.

 

“We have a good mix of youth and experience. I’m sure there will be others to come and everybody has something to fight for but it’s a long way away to France and obviously everybody will be hoping to be fit for then.”

 

Using Brazil 2014 qualifiers Bosnia as a barometer to how Ireland will do next summer, Walters stated that “Bosnia are a good team, they have good players and without a doubt they did well at the world cup so they are a good team.

 

“However the world rankings might tell a different story but you see that all the time with teams. You can only put a performance with 11 v 11 on the pitch. We showed that against Germany and again tonight so hopefully we can do the same in France.”

 

    About Stephen Walsh

    Stephen Walsh is an extratime.ie reporter since August 2014 as one can see by looking at his LinkedIn page in the bottom right hand corner. Stephen mainly covers games for Cork City and Cobh Ramblers … View Full Profile