Sport

Robbie Brady's heroics set up quarter-final clash with France

The Republic of Ireland's goalscoring hero Robbie Brady couldn't hide his emotions after his 85th minute winner sealed a 1-0 win over Italy in Lille last night and set up a mouthwatering last 16 clash with hosts France in Lyon on Sunday.

The midfielder got on the of Wes Hoolahan's cross to and send Martin O'Neill's men through and he said it was a childhood ambition realised.

"What a moment for everyone involved. We said that we were going to do a job for everyone that came out here and we did it. We've made history, into the last 16 and we go again," said the Norwich City man.

"My legs sort of carried my body into the box and I just trusted Wes [Hoolahan] to put it where it hurts and I've managed to get my head on it. I'm lost for words realty. I'm over the moon, I'm so emotional. It's unbelievable.

"You can see what it means to everyone, myself included. I grew up waiting to play on this stage, dreaming about it since I was a little kid. To go and do it in front of my family is the best feeling in the world."

Former Derry City winger James McClean was equally as lost for words to describe the feeling of the victory that saw the Irish fans party long into the Lille night.

"You can see what it means to the supporters. The passion, grown men crying, it's a compete love for the country. We've become heroes now and hopefully we can go on and do even more. It's quite remarkable," admitted McClean.

"We were playing a great Italian side and we knew it was going to be tough,. We knew it was win or bust. We left nothing out there, we gave it everything on that field and it's the best night of my football career hands down."