It has been three decades in the making, but as Northern Ireland players, staff and supporters celebrated jubilantly on an electrifying night at Windsor Park, the long wait must have felt worth it.
Northern Ireland are heading to France next summer in what will be their debut appearance in a European Championship finals and the first time that they have reached a leading tournament since the 1986 World Cup. They did it in style too, thriving rather than cranking under the extra pressure brought about by the absence of key players through injury or suspension.
Michael O’Neill had been prepared for his side’s qualifying prospects going down to the wire against Finland in Helsinki on Sunday but, inspired by Steven Davis, their captain colossus, they