Back in September, there was a suspicion that Ireland may have blown the chance to even get to a 2018 FIFA World Cup playoff.
But the back to the walls 1-0 win in Wales has sent Ireland to that playoff stage and within a two legged tie of going to a first World Cup since Korea and Japan in 2002.
Stephen Ward was part of the Irish side that held firm in Cardiff against a talented Welsh outfit and the morning after the night before, he joined Joe to reflect on victory and what's still to come now in the battle to get to Russia next summer.
"It's a great achievement from the lads and the staff and everyone involved. After the two games last month, we were very disappointed and we knew we had a bit of a mountain to climb," he said.
So you're saying there's a chance 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/A0oklIWcAm
— Jonathan walters (@JonWalters19) October 9, 2017
"Going to Wales was never going to be easy so immense pride in what we've done and as I say, we're looking forward to the playoffs."
But as he acknowledged, celebrations have to be tempered somewhat as the goal of trying to get to the World Cup still lies ahead.
Stephen Ward, Robbie Brady and Cyrus Christie ©INPHO/James Crombie
"I think obviously because the job's not fully done. If news had've filtered through that Georgia picked up a result [in Serbia], I don't think you would have seen us for a couple of days," he added, jokingly.
"We know, with the staff and the type of group we are, we know there's still a lot of work to do. We enjoyed the moment in the changing room and once everyone left, it was concentrate on your club for a few weeks and there's still work to be done for next month."
A tough tie awaits no matter who we're drawn against in the playoffs. But Ireland in the last couple of years - as Germany and Italy have discovered - have had a better record against higher ranked opposition in comparison to the decade prior to 2014.
"It's been a trait of many Irish teams when they're up against it and no one gives them a chance, we want to prove people wrong and once again we did it last night," said the Burnley left back.
"But we know going into these playoffs, it's going to be a similar situation. We'll be written off no matter who we get. We're going to have a top seed side who are going to be a lot higher ranked in the world than us. It's going to be backs against the walls for periods of them games and we'll have to deal with that pressure and hopefully we can put up the performances we have done in recent years."
Ward also highlighted the example of Iceland, who have qualified automatically for a major tournament for the second time in a row, as one that can provide inspiration.
On the game plan and patterns of play against Wales, he felt, "It played out exactly how the manager said."
