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COYBIG! Ireland secure a place in Euro 2016 with stunning 2-0 win

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After a very shaky start indeed to their Euro 2016 journey, Martin O'Neill's side have come out victorious.

Ireland will indeed be heading to France next year for the tournament, following a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium this evening.

The Irish went into the break with a one goal advantage thanks to a 23rd minute penalty from Jon Walters, who missed out on last week's away game to Bosnia after picking up a suspension in Ireland’s defeat to Poland last month.

He then scored again after the break, just 20 minutes from full time.

Despite his suspension, Walters was considered a favourite for tonight's line-up, having scored three goals in the nine qualification games he did play in.

After drawing 1-1 against Bosnia under the fog of Zenica last Friday, Ireland could have walked away victorious with a scoreless draw, but clearly didn't want to win using such high-risk tactics.

"I think it's more dangerous to try and play for the draw," soccer legend Ray Houghton told Radio 1's Sunday Sport.

"You leave yourself very vulnerable to giving away one goal. You could keep it tight for 80 minutes, then you give away a penalty or a needless free-kick."

And indeed, a loss for Ireland – or a draw of 2-2 or more – would have seen the Bosnians qualify.

Fans took to Twitter in their droves after the final whistle:

Roll on 2016!

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