Group leaders Hungary had previously brushed us aside with a convincing 2-1 win when they visited Galtymore back in mid October. And let’s be brutally honest, CB has really been riding lady luck hard in this campaign. So optimism was not exactly soaring as the Irish faithful logged in to see whether CB would give his first campaign as manager a well needed kick in the arse, or if he would give us all one last swift kick in the bollix as our qualification hopes crashed and burned.

The time for experimentation is well and truly over. 3 games left to play in a group that we arguably should have already secured qualification from, CB must surely know his strengths and weaknesses by now??

It would always be a big ask (especially being away from home) but Ireland realistically needed 3 points or else we would be scraping the bottom of the barrel looking for a runners up spot and back door promotion.

CB had to finally step up to the plate. A seasoned manager, absolutely, but now was the time to prove that his appointment as NC was not just one big waste of an election.  

Both sides took to the field in a 4-4-2 formation, the Irish (i’m glad to see) taking a much more positive mentality out onto the pitch when compared to the defensive Hungarians.

This game was always going to be won in the midfield but CB took a huge gamble by playing 2 up top as well as an omc. Let’s face it, you do need goals to win games, so CB really put his balls on the chopping board with this gutsy formation. A cringe worthy image I’m sure you’ll agree, but my God those two hairy monsters must be the size of grapefruits because the gamble paid off big time.

A 4-2 win against a top side... I am still trying to pick my jaw up from the floor. I honestly didn't think CB had it in him.

In summary:

-4 goals away from home against the group leaders ( Mc Dermott (2), Butler and O’Brien ) .

-2 assists for Glynn (to go along with a match rating of 10)... finally he shows up for the NT!!

-Butler’s best game in an Irish shirt, the Teabag mc dominated the midfield.

-The lion’s share of possession.

 -Job done.

-A deserved 3 points.

Yes you read right... a deserved 3 points.

Let’s not get too carried away though. As well as Ireland played, there was still a whole host of negatives from that match.

3-2 up with only 7 minutes to go and O’Brien gives away a stupid penalty. Criminal stuff. Thankfully;

“Á. Kuttor stepped up...and sent the ball hard and low past the left post! Dissappointment oozed from the fans of Hungary who had expected something better from him...”

This report could well have been oh so different had that been tucked away. But lady luck must be exhausted, CB was really at her again. There are plenty of more things I’d like to draw to your attention but surprise, surprise I’m not going to probe into the minor details.

The Irish public (D. Gaffer included) are still smarting from the French hand ball debacle. And CB (despite the many negatives he has forced us to endure) has given our frustrations some reprieve and given us something to cheer about. Does Derek Gaffer believe he is the right man for the job now? Well to be honest, No, I don't! But with two games left to play the table actually makes for very good reading:

Next up is Belarus. Last time out with dispatched of them in style with a 3-0 win.

The final match is against bottom side Austria (who we stuttered against last time out, a 0-0 draw).

The chance is there lads... the odds are now well and truly stacked in our favour... I just hope CB doesn’t f**k it up!

Till next week...