Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

WHAT A NIGHT that was.

Ireland went to Cardiff and beat Wales, keeping our chances of World Cup qualification alive on a memorable sporting night.

James McClean got the all important goal in a gritty 1-0 win, and late last night his wife Erin shared the moment he met his family after the final whistle blew:

It’s like a Renaissance painting – with the woman cry-laughing in the background summing up the sheer emotion of the occasion.

RTÉ were there to capture the moment

SCENES!
We are in the World Cup Play-Off draw. Happy Days#WALIRL #RTESoccerhttps://t.co/x4MB8noZgN pic.twitter.com/WzZ6trazGm

— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 9, 2017

It drew instant comparisons to *that* Robbie Brady photo against Italy last summer

The lesson? Irish goalscorers should immediately seek out their family in the crowd so the nation can rally around a touching moment.

Erin’s tweet, unsurprisingly, has gone viral given the mood across Ireland last night

@manlikenachoo @manlikenachoo

@muireannf @muireannf

The scenes in the dressing were similarly jubilant

So you're saying there's a chance 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/A0oklIWcAm

— Jonathan walters (@JonWalters19) October 9, 2017

If you can’t see the video, click here. 

And the fans were giving it socks in the stands

Amazing! #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/LpzVFYSUeq

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) October 9, 2017

If you can’t see the video, click here. 

Bring on the playoffs

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Not a bad evening, all things considered <3

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