Major League Soccer's Irish contingent is celebrating after the Republic of Ireland national team defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Monday, booking their place in the 2016 European Championship with a 3-1 aggregate win in their two-legged qualification playoff.
Neither LA Galaxy star Robbie Keane or Colorado Rapids striker Kevin Doyle appeared for the home side as the Boys in Green rode two goals from Jon Walters, a teammate of US international Geoff Cameron at Stoke City in the English Premier League.
Walters' first came from the spot under controversial circumstances, as a harsh handball call on Ervin Zukanovic led to an Ireland penalty kick in the first half. But the home fans were in no mood to brook complaints six years after Thierry Henry's infamous uncalled handball in a World Cup qualifying playoff ended Irish hopes for South Africa 2010.
Walters kept his cool to dispatch the PK, then volleyed home the clincher in the 70th minute to spark raucous jubilation across Dublin as a trip to next summer's showcase in France was secured.
The achievement marks just the third time Ireland have reached the Euros (2012, 1998).
