FAI says no plans to celebrate qualification

There are no plans as yet to celebrate Ireland's qualification to next year's World Cup finals, according to the FAI.

With most of the squad returning to Britain for this weekend's club fixtures, fans have been left to themselves to toast the team's achievement.

Over 200 fans waited through the night to greet the Republic of Ireland's World Cup heroes as they landed just before dawn at Dublin Airport following a seven-hour fight from their play-off triumph in Tehran.

Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given was the number one target of the back-slappers who filled the arrivals hall after he repeated his heroics of the first leg last Saturday by again defying the Iran's strikers to cement Ireland's precious place in the Japan-Korea finals next summer.

Given said: "That's why I was just delighted to play well again. After twice losing before in major play-offs we just had to get through this time and now we're going to the World Cup.

"There's no better feeling but we've worked hard for this and I think it is only what we and the fans have deserved."

Iran defender Yahya Golmohammadi's goal seconds before the final whistle was the only strike to beat Given and came too late to revive Iran's hopes of wiping out the deficit incurred at Lansdowne Road.

Manager Mick McCarthy said: "One of the nicest touches about all this for me was being applauded back in the dressing room by the players when I finally got there at the end of the game.

"We've come a long way and had to get over the disappointment of not finishing top of our qualifying group and getting to the finals automatically".

Former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton said: "Mick's done a magnificent job. He's put together a young side that work hard and have good way of playing".

Speaking on RTÉ radio this morning he said: "He's had a hard five years and this is the reward". It was a "phenomenal achievement" to get through the group, Charlton said.

Paddy Power bookmakers are offering 50-1 on the Republic lifting the trophy. France and Argentina are 4-1 favourites.

Additional reporting by PA