It would be incorrect to say that the unveiling by the FAI of their world class management team of Steve Staunton and Bobby Robson back in January of last year was greeted with universal exhilaration. Former FAI chief executive Bernard O'Byrne, for one, seemed to have some doubts. "This is a car crash that's going to happen," he said.

Meanwhile, Mark Lawrenson, writing in this very paper, was also somewhat concerned that we were not about to be led to the promised land, ie qualification for Euro 2008.

"It has to be the biggest gamble the FAI has ever taken, in its history. What is the thinking behind it? I have no idea. I've tried to look at it rationally, and have come up with zilch. I've tried to look at it in a slightly off-the-wall way, and I've come up with zilch. I really, really don't understand it.

"Unfortunately I think the FAI may end up rueing this decision."

All in all, then, there were those who had their doubts.

But after Ireland beat Sweden 3-0 in Staunton's first game the nation was awash with green, white and gold hammers being re-inflated. But then came losses to Chile and Holland at Lansdowne, that 4-0 drubbing by the Dutch, in particular, leaving the hammers deflated.

Then came a respectable performance in the 1-0 defeat in Germany that marked the start of our Euro 2008 campaign. Reason to believe? Until every ounce of faith was mislaid in Nicosia when . . . you know.

Pride partially restored in a 1-1 draw against the Czechs in Dublin a few days later. Hammers re-inflated. And then there was the 5-0 mauling of San Marino. Ole Ole. And then . . . look, even if Stephen Ireland never sets foot on this soil again, never mind resume his international career, there should still be a statue in honour of him in downtown Cobh for saving us away to San Marino.

Two 1-0 wins at Fortress Croke Park, against Wales and Slovakia. Up and running again? Two 1-1 draws against Ecuador and Bolivia, with only our babies on duty. The future was. And then a 4-0 win away to Denmark? Bags packed for Austria and Switzerland. But. Slovakia's last minute equaliser. The Czech's first half winner. The Germans' 0-0 win in Dublin. And, finally, Cyprus, as the Greek jury's spokesperson always puts in it in the Eurovision. A car crash that happened.