Last night, Hungary did what we hope the Irish team pull off when they take on Bosnia tonight.
The central European nation qualified for Euro 2016 by defeating Norway in a playoff to take their place among the 24 teams at next year's tournament, thereby ending a 30-year wait to play at a major finals.
The 1986 World Cup, when they failed to make the knockout stages, was the last time they had played at a tournament of significance - losing 6-0 to the Soviet Union in their opener - and that is a great pity for a country with a rich football tradition.
This is a country that could have become world champions with their immense golden generation narrowly losing out to Germany in the 1954 World Cup final, where a half-fit Ferenc Puskas and co just fell short.
At a time where central Europe was the cream of the crop, Hungary were the best international team in Europe and among the best in the world, going 31 games without defeat between a friendly win over Poland in 1950 and a World Cup semi-final over Uruguay in 1954.
For fans of that era, the likes of Real Madrid legend Puskas (who still holds the record for international goals for any nation with 84 goals in 85 caps), 1954 World Cup golden boot winner Sándor Kocsis and Nándor Hidegkuti roll off the tongue with the famous 6-3 victory over England at Wembley in 1953 often cited as the apogee.
A landmark win, Professor Rogan Taylor spoke to Off The Ball about the impact that team had, saying of the third goal: "Nobody had ever dragged the ball back in England. Nobody had ever seen that it was a revolutionary act".
While, the current Hungary side cannot hold a candle to that team, perhaps it may spark something in the nation's collective psyche and that Euro 2016 may inspire the next generation.
And if you want an excellent perspective on the tactics and brilliance of that '50s team, check out Jonathan Wilson's Inverting The Pyramid.
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