IT WAS a memorable night all round for Irish football as the North qualified for their first major tournament since Mexico 1986 and the Republic toppled World Cup champions Germany.
The long wait is over for Northern Ireland as they clinched their place at the 2016 European Championship finals with a 3-1 win against Greece at a jubilant Windsor Park. Michael O'Neill's men can now look forward to competing in France next summer against the continent's best.
Skipper Steven Davis was the hero for Northern Ireland with goals in the 35th and 58th minutes while stand in striker Josh Magennis of Kilmarnock grabbed his first international goal in the 58th minute.
With Romania drawing 1-1 at home to Finland, Northern Ireland will top Group F if they get a point in Finland on Sunday in their final qualifier.
Southampton midfielder Davis scored his first goal in 13 games for the North after Stuart Dallas had crossed the ball low from the right. Magennis bundled the ball home from an Oliver Norwood corner on 49 minutes and nine minutes later Davis made it three when he sent a looping header to the net from a poor Greek clearance.
Meanwhile, in Dublin, Shane Long came off the bench to put the Republic of Ireland firmly into the race for Euro 2016 qualification with a stunning victory over world champions Germany.
The Southampton striker beat Manuel Neuer with a wonderful right-foot shot 20 minutes from the end to secure a 1-0 win which sends them to Warsaw to face Poland on Sunday still in with a chance of automatic qualification from Group D.
Germany were on top for much of the game but a combination of poor finishing and heroic defending allowed Ireland to see it out.
Germany hit back almost immediately when Muller flicked on a Reus corner and Hummels headed just wide of the far post.
But the Aviva was on fire again just seconds later when Jon Walters squared for Hoolahan, who shot just wide.
Muller then had a poor miss with 12 minutes to go when he side-footed wide from full-back Jonas Hector's cross when he appeared sure to equalise.
Randolph also palmed away a stinging Boateng drive and then saved Gundogan's attempt low to his left as time ran out for the World champions.
