– Paul Dollery and Eoin Lúc Ó Ceallaigh report from Cardiff

THE BIG DAY has arrived and the Irish are out in force.

Frankie Murrinn and Bobby Cunningham from Donegal. Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Ireland fans from Kildare and Offaly. Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Noel Lacey from Ballybrack, Dublin. Source: James Crombie/INPHO

The FAI were only allocated 3,500 tickets for tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Wales at Cardiff City Stadium, where a play-off place at the very least will be at stake.

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However, a walk around the Welsh capital today will tell you that a much greater number than that have made the trip for this crucial game.

As we found out earlier on, confidence is high that Martin O’Neill’s side can emerge victorious.

Kick-off tonight at the Cardiff City Stadium is at 7.45pm.

Additional footage crown copyright (2016) Visit Wales.