SHANE Long played the last 35 minutes as Republic of Ireland joined England, Wales and Northern Ireland at Euro 2016.
The Saints star, a 58th-minute substitute for Wes Hoolahan, came on with Eire 1-0 up on the night and leading 2-1 on aggregate in their play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Dublin.
Ten minutes later, Jon Walters scored his second of the night to secure a 2-0 win (3-1 on aggregate) that ensures Eire will be at next summer’s finals in France.
Long, playing his first game since limping off with an ankle injury during Ireland’s 2-1 defeat in Poland five weeks ago, had the chance to net his country’s third of the night in the 75th minute.
After being put through he failed to lift the ball over Asmir Begovic in a one-on-one with the Chelsea keeper.
But it mattered little. Long was soon gatecrashing a television interview as Eire celebrated reaching back-to-back European Championship finals for the first time.
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