Your reaction to the action

The Republic of Ireland book their place at the 2002 World Cup finals after beating Iran 2-1 on aggreagate after a two-leg play-off.

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Mick McCarthy's team travelled to Iran with painful memories of previous play-off encounters, having lost crucial games to Belgium and Turkey in recent years.

Ian Harte and Robbie Keane got on the score sheet in Dublin, and Ireland kept an all-important clean sheet at Lansdowne Road.

They arrived in Tehran without injured captain Roy Keane, and were defeated 1-0 in the cauldron of the Azadi Stadium in Tehran. But their 2-0 home win ensured their passage to the World Cup next summer.

Send your congratulations to the Boys in Green.

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Ireland thoroughly deserved to qualify for the World Cup. They faced a difficult group, which the likes of England would have struggled to advance from. Well done the boys in green.
Tony Ratton, Sunderland

A wonderful achievement and fully deserved by anyone's standards

Mark Finnegan, Ireland

Congratulations to the Irish! Although we lost a World Cup spot to you, most of us feel that it couldn't have been to a better people. The Irish people have been a class act throughout, and you better believe that Ireland has millions of new supporters!
Heartbroken Iranian, USA/Iran

Without a doubt the inclusion of Ireland will only enhance the world cup. Any team that amounts 24 pts in qualification and disposes of the Dutch has to be respected. Well done Mick and the boys
Noel, Eire

Congratulations to Mick and the lads. On a different note however I would like to thank the Iranian fans for their hospitality and good sportsmanship while I was in Tehran for the game. The Iranian people are the friendliest, most helpful people I have ever met.
Jimmy Rabbit, Ireland

I am sick and tired of the sycophantic way the British media treat the Irish football team. Why does everyone want to see the Republic do well? Can you imagine a Dublin bar if England were playing Iran to qualify for the World Cup? Frankly, I am gutted they qualified and hope they lose all their group games and sink back into obscurity. And as for Italia 90, they were the most boring team in the tournament and made the quarter-finals without winning a single game. What an asset they will be to the world stage.
Darren Hunter, UK

Congrats to Mick and the team - a wonderful achievement and fully deserved by anyone's standards. To Ian Maddison and Vic Maloney, think about what you're saying and think about how England have played to qualify. Does one wonderful result against a sub-standard German side really make England contenders? When Ireland haven't been at a tournament, I've always rooted for England but is it any wonder that success for the English nation is resented elsewhere when you hear arrogant attitudes like those expressed. I too am a 'football' fan. Ireland weren't pretty in the play-offs because of what was at stake however you guys obviously did not watch any of Ireland's qualifying campaign when they did play some really attractive football.
Mark Finnegan, Ireland

Underage football in Ireland is strong, the team is getting better and I reckon nobody will want us in their group come next summer

Daz, Glasgow

Ireland has done a brilliant job in securing a place in the World Cup Finals. The team showed their many talents and made Irish and Irish Americans proud once again!
Elizabeth Rooks, USA

Vic Maloney obviously only watched the play off games, no mention of the total footballing lesson given to the Dutch for 45 minutes in Holland (Pity they won't be there, we always have a great party with the Dutch lads win, lose or draw). I honestly don't think this Ireland team gets the respect it deserves from the media and the punters over here in Britain. Ian Harte and Steve Carr would easily make it into the current England set up, obviously Roy Keane would and Robbie Keane and Damien Duff are progressing nicely.

Remember, Ireland won the U16 and U18 European championships not too long ago and finished 3rd in the youth world cup (not to mention this years success at the Youth Olympics where they beat Spain in the final). So underage football in Ireland is strong, the team is getting better and I reckon nobody will want us in their group come next summer.
Daz, Glasgow

I just loved Vic Maloney's comments. The arrogance of the man! If so called "good" sides fail to qualify by losing or failing to beat so called "uninteresting sides" how does that make them either good or interesting? In their qualifying group, Ireland finished level with one of the world's best - Portugal - and threw out Holland, another team with real pedigree. In my book, that makes them a hell of a lot better than a joke team like England whose stuttering performances during various qualification campaigns and in every World Cup they managed to qualify for since 1966 hardly qualifies them for inclusion in Mr Maloney's hall of fame.
Martina, Ireland

Well done Micko and the lads! What a great outcome! And who cares what happens next in Japan and Korea - we'll have a hooley no matter what. And a special thank you to your Iranian correspondents - Seyes Ali O'Pourhosseini, Behzad O'Behrouzi, and Seamus O'Bahmann(below)- for their generous and sporting remarks.
Barney, Switzerland

Ireland have a better chance of success in the World Cup than England

Bryan, Ireland

Vic Maloney has some neck. His implicit suggestion that a mediocre team like England with its crazed and poisonous supporters in tow will enhance a tournament, whereas Ireland, with exemplary support and a growing and deserved reputation for skilful and attractive football will not, is beneath contempt.
Rob, Ireland

Ireland thoroughly deserved their victory over Iran. I think that Ireland have a better chance of success in the World Cup than England. We have beaten quality sides like Holland and Iran, and we have matched Portugal home and away. Compare that to England, who couldn't beat Holland, defeated a German side which was past its best. Forget about England, Ireland is the team to be looking out for in the far East next summer! C'mon the boys in green!
Bryan, Ireland

Where ever we go we gain respect from the opposition fans, for being joyous and jubilant. We deserve to be through on fan power alone. It is a great honour to be respected by the Dutch and the Portuguese. The World Cup will be a better event now. Thanks Mick!
Michael Moss, England

Congratulation to Irish people all over the world for your qualification to WC. I shall be one of your supporters in the WC and I am sure many Iranians all over the world will have the same feelings towards your team and your people. You are a great nation with great culture. However, I think your team need to improve for the WC, otherwise it will be difficult to win there. Iran was much better than Ireland on 15.11.01, but unfortunately we missed many chances. But there you go, that's football. Once again all the best to you Irish people for the World Cup.
Behzad Behrouzi, Iran

Given the good grace shown by the Iranians following their defeat, along with the flair and joy they brought to the last World Cup, it's a pity they won't be there to enjoy the party with the Irish. Ian Maddison (below) should remember that England were lucky to qualify from a very poor group before commenting on Ireland's chances.
Declan, Ireland

Just goes to prove there's no substitute for blood, sweat and tears

Pol mac Cionnaith, Eire

Ireland qualified fair and square, but as a lover of a good game of football, I am not happy to see them at the World Cup. I dislike this qualification system where good sides like Holland, Czech Rep and Romania can screw up their chances and stay at home, whilst we see boring teams like Slovenia, Ireland and Saudi Arabia at the World Cup.

The previous should be exempt from qualifying in the name of good football and an attractive tournament. I think the nations near the top of the FIFA ranking list (say the top 10) should automatically qualify, and then the uninteresting teams can battle amongst themselves for the few remaining places. Qualifying matches against Cyprus, Malta, Liechenstein are completely uninteresting and only make the footballing calendar too full.
Vic Maloney, London, England

Heartiest congratulations to Micko and the lads on proving the critics, public and media wrong. We're there with the elite of the world on merit. Just goes to prove there's no substitute for blood, sweat and tears (England take note). Now for the party in Japan and South Korea.....
Pol mac Cionnaith, Eire

What can be said about this Irish team. McCarthy has steered this team through a rocky transition stage after Jack Charlton left. He stuck with his beliefs in the players and more importantly in his own ability.Thankfully the FAI give him time to mould an excellent bunch of players with passion and pride in their country. A lesson to all chairmen. Patience is a virtue in football. See you in the group stages England!
Fearghal MacThreinfhir, Eire

After taking 24 points in our qualifying group we deserve to be there. Olé Olé Olé...

Michael, Ireland

Absolutely brilliant. To have qualified after being drawn in a group with Portugal and The Netherlands is unreal. It was nerve-racking stuff, but the main thing is we're there! And after taking 24 points in our qualifying group we deserve to be there. Olé Olé Olé...
Michael, Ireland

Well done Ireland another great day for the Irish. Mick and the lads you have done us proud. This one is for Ian Maddison in England (below). We stuffed the Dutch. The Dutch stuffed England. We got two points from Portugal. England got two goals against Portugal but as we all know England let in four. See ya in Japan.
Gareth, N. Ireland

What a great day. Ireland always deserved it. No one ever thought we'd come through the group. But we did. Looking forward to fun in the far east. Well done Mick and all the boys, we're proud of you.
Brian Grieve, Dublin

Maith thú, Mícheál MacCarthaigh! Is tusa an bainisteoir is fearr so domhain!!! Agus i Seapain agus an Korea an Meitheamh seo chughainn, beidh an foireann Éireann ann sa Chluiche Cheannaisna na Domhanda. Éireann abú!!!
Daithí, Éireann

Congratulations to Ireland from this side of the pond

Mark Baley, Miami, USA

Scrappy game vs Iran, but Republic was never in real danger not to qualify. (Connolly should have finished it, though.) Many deep respects for Mr McCarthy and the Ireland squad. I take off my hat and make a deep bow for the best supporters in the world!
Joost, Holland

Congratulations to Ireland from this side of the pond. Ian Maddeson (below) you make me laugh. A knee-jerk reaction? No, just a jerk's reaction. We'll make you eat your words; but like the Murphy's, we're not bitter. Slainte!
Mark Baley, Miami, USA

Good Job! Great performance, the Irish seem to perform amazingly under Mickey. However, I don't believe they're much of a challenge for legendary teams like England, Argentina, France, Italy and Germany and Brazil, despite their poor performances. Good luck to Mickey's team!
Ray, USA

Mr Hansen - what a limited bunch we are?? Three World Cups out of the last four - we certainly are limited - sorry we cannot maintain the standards that you set while playing for your country. Keep grovelling.
Conor, Ireland

Tell ya something it's been hard for Mick over the years and the past play off defeats hit him bad but fair play to the FAI for standing by him and today he and the bhoys did us proud. Come on you boys in green, come on you boys, come on you boys in GREEN.
Seamus O'Ceallaigh, Dublin Ireland

Well done the Celtic tiger, never in doubt! Here's to late nights in the Land of the Rising Sun!
Wolfhound, Iran

Ireland deserve all the respect in the world

Danny Connor, England

I was just looking at the Ireland team there is no real superstars on this team. What Mick Mc Carthy has achieved is magnificent he deserves all the praise he gets.
Mark, Ireland

Ireland team must win in World Cup. Holland and Iran are best teams in world. Best regard for Ireland players.
Bahman, Iran

Maith thú Éirinn !
Cosgrave, Australia

Ireland deserve all the respect in the world after the group they came through. Good luck in Japan and Korea and well done to the whole team.
Danny Connor, England

Right from the very first game of the qualifing campaign where the Dutch were very lucky to get a draw with the team given no chance of getting ahead of Portugal and Holland, they have been magnificant. Up to today we were unbeaten in 16 matches. They deserve to go through as they have played brilliantly through out the campaign. We will have a few pints tonight lads !!!
John, Belgium

What a fantastic achievement it is to qualify for the World Cup out of a group containing two of Europe's better teams

Mick Sugrue, Ireland

Congratualtion Irish; your boys played a wise game here in Tehran; I wish you all the happiness. The better you play in Japan/Korea the more proud we are. Be happy and have all the fun. We have tasted such a joy four years ago when the Australians had their sad night. All the best for you. You deserved it.
Seyes Ali Pourhosseini, Iran

YAHOOOoooooo! We made it!, and Thanks BBC - I brought in my walkman, but nothing was being broadcast on AM/FM.
Ron (stayed at home) Ireland

Congratulations to all the Irish players and backroom team and particularily to Mick McCarthy. What a fantastic achievement it is to qualify for the World Cup out of a group containing two of Europe's better teams and then to go to Tehran and complete the job. Outstanding. Olé olé olé olé.........
Mick Sugrue, Ireland

Once more another glorious night for the boys in green! I can only hope that Iran spontaneously relaxes its anti-alcohol laws, otherwise the next time we see the Irish team "performing" it may be in an Iranian prison!
Michael Collins, Eire

Congratulations to Mick and the lads. Job well done in Iran. And yes, who cares about giving away that goal! As long as they keep on scoring more goals than the other teams they play and keep on winning, I don't think too many Irish fans will be crying over the odd goal conceded here or there. Ireland thoroughly deserve to qualify for the finals after beating Holland and finishing on the same points total as Portugal in the group stage. Good luck to the team in the finals in Japan and Korea. We'll be cheering you on the whole way.
John R., N.Ireland

Watch out France and Brazil, Mickey's green army are packing their suitcases

Brendan Brady, Birmingham, UK

Another late goal conceded but who cares. Go Ireland !
D J Cosgrave, Australia

Well done !
Shimon O'Shea, Israel

A lucky performance but I expect the Irish to lose all their forthcoming World Cup games by significant margins.
Ian Maddison, England

Watch out France and Brazil, Mickey's green army are packing their suitcases and the boys from the Midlands will be there......
Brendan Brady, Birmingham, UK

Olay olay olay olay, olay olay we're all part of Mickey's army we're all off to Korea and we'll really shake them up when we win the World Cup cause Ireland are the greatest football team.
King Henrik, Ireland

Mid way through the second half, second leg, looking good but my nerves are in bits. First time I have followed a game over the internet. Good on ya BBC.
Marian Murphy, Miami, USA

Good first half performance. Looking good for Japan and Korea.
Danny, England