Ireland spring very exciting surprise with team for Denmark

180 minutes from immortality.

Only three times in Ireland's history have they managed a place in the World Cup and, now, the task could not be simpler. Beat Denmark over two legs and this group of players who have been so heavily criticised at times will join the list of Irish legends. They'll be up there with 1990, with 1994 and with 2002 and the country will be headed for Russia next summer. Ahead of the first leg in Copenhagen, the Republic have 10 players walking a tightrope. One yellow card and either one of them could miss the return leg. The team O'Neill has picked is much more attacking than most predicted. Whereas Glenn Whelan was expected to come in, the manager has instead opted to play an extra attacking option in Callum O'Dowda to give Ireland three very exciting players off the striker. Ireland team v Denmark Darren Randolph Cyrus Christie Shane Duffy Ciaran Clark Stephen Ward Jeff Hendrick Harry Arter Callum O'Dowda Robbie Brady James McClean Daryl Murphy https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status/929413560161140736 No Long but no Whelan. The manager is really going for it.