Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill is one of six permanent managers or head coaches Sunderland have had since Roy Keane departed in 2008

Ireland will face either Ukraine, Bosnia, Sweden or Hungary in a Euro 2016 playoff next month after a dramatic finish to the regular qualification campaign around the continent last night.

Martin O'Neill's side needed a combination of different results to go their way in order to jump into the seeded pot for next Sunday's draw in Switzerland.

Despite a nervy night for Bosnia in Cyprus, they got the result they needed to secure third spot in Group B.

And a last minute winner for Turkey at home to Iceland combined with a win for Kazakhstan in Latvia gave the Turks automatic qualification in the most thrilling circumstances.

In doing so, they caused heartache for Hungary who were bumped back into the play-offs as a seeded team.

It means that when UEFA confirm the details this morning, Ireland will have the second highest co-efficient of the unseeded teams. Denmark, Norway and Slovenia will be with them.

Norway were a goal up away to Italy at half time and if they had held onto that margin then Euro 2012 foes Croatia would have been on the seeded half. Instead, they go straight to France and Ireland will be happy to avoid the classy outfit.

Indeed, Hungary's addition along with evidence that Bosnia are in the middle of the rocky patch has created a situation where the seeded half of the draw looks kinder than it did at the start of play. A date with Zlatan's Sweden or a first clash with Ukraine would be less appealing.

Online Editors