The draw staged in Zurich yesterday for the World Cup play-offs has set up one of the most dramatic five-day periods in the recent history of Irish sport.
Northern Ireland will face Switzerland, and the Republic take on Denmark, with the ties to take place on a home and away basis between November 9 and 14, and the winners qualifying for Russia 2018.
The Swiss and the Danes are both rated ahead of their Irish opponents in the latest FIFA rankings, but most commentators feel that four tense and tight contests can be anticipated.
Martin O'Neill and Michael O'Neill have demonstrated that they are coaches of the highest quality and they could be on the brink of their greatest achievements to date at international level.
