From a collective perspective, Ireland got the job but from David Meyler's personal point of view, it was a special night as he wore the captain's armband for the fixture.
The Hull City midfielder spoke to Off The Ball's Philip Egan after the 2-0 win over Moldova which sends the Boys in Green into the final showdown in Cardiff knowing what needs to be done against Wales.
The Cork native expressed his pride at captaining the country, although he quickly turned thoughts back to other matters.
"It's a huge honour for me and my family but it's just more important that we got the three points and we won the game," he said.
"Now, we've got it all to play for against Wales."
Daryl Murphy's opening goal was one born from the training ground according to Meyler.
"It's something we've been working on in training and we exploited it and it's hard work on the training ground and it's paid off and I'm delighted for Murph to get the two goals," he said.
Ireland's Sean Maguire ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson
"Longy probably should have had two goals and on another night he probably would have gotten them."
He also reserved praise for Sean Maguire as the Preston North End striker made his long awaited senior debut.
"Sean's done fantastic at Cork City and he's impressed at Preston. He's got an opportunity, he's come in and worked hard and obviously he got his reward tonight by getting his international debut and he's put his head down, keep working hard and get more chances," he said.
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