Ireland finish the job in Dublin to book France 2016

And after 23 minutes, the home side’s pressure paid off, as they were awarded what appeared a fortuitous penalty as Ervin Zukanovic was penalised for handling Daryl Murphy’s cross.

Bosnia, hoping to reach a second major tournament as an independent nation following last year’s World Cup, began to find their feet late in the first half and that momentum continued after the break.

And after the 1-1 away draw in Zenica on Friday, they seized their chance.

The Republic of Ireland secured qualification for Euro 2016 after a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzogovina on Monday night, sealing a 3-1 victory on aggregate over their rivals in the playoff tie.

Walters, back in the team after suspension, got his first goal with a hotly-disputed penalty midway through the opening half and then made it 2-0 on 70 minutes. “He’s not taking numerous accolades, but he’s been fantastic for me, the backroom staff, and of course the players”. I hold my players in the highest esteem.

Walters, increasingly central to O’Neill’s set up, was nerveless as he calmly found the bottom left of the goal, giving his former Stoke City team mate Begovic no chance.

Ireland nearly increased their lead on 40 minutes after another neat build-up saw Hendrick deliver a superb cross which Begovic did well to gather under the challenge of Murphy.

Ireland started brightly, Robbie Brady and Jonathan Walters in particular causing problems.

Edin Dzeko nearly immediately leveled as Bosnia threw men forward in search of the equalizer but shot into the sidenetting.

Ward’s omission means that Robbie Brady will line-up at left-back instead of his previous midfield berth, where he will be faced by the risky Edin Visca.

Substitute Ibisevic hooked an effort off the bar from close range deep in stoppage time, moments before the referee blew the final whistle and the Aviva Stadium erupted.