MARTIN O’NEILL IS under no illusions that earning three points in tomorrow’s meeting with Poland is vital to Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for Euro 2016.

Ireland have had to wait four months to bounce back from the disappointment of losing to Scotland in their last competitive game and, after a week-long training camp in Dublin, the stage is set for a rare Sunday evening kick-off at the Aviva Stadium.

The Poles come to town full of confidence — sitting on top of Group D after victories over Gibraltar, Georgia and world champions Germany. If the Boys in Green can end their unbeaten run, however, they would be level on points with Adam Nawalka’s men (along with Germany and Scotland if they both win tomorrow) at the halfway point.

“The importance of the occasion shouldn’t be missed,” O’Neill said at today’s pre-match press conference. “We’ve played four games and picked up seven points. We were naturally delighted to get something in Germany with a brilliant effort but disappointed to lose in Scotland.

I said all along that the games at home would shape our destiny. This is a very important one against a team who have started off brilliantly in the competition. It might not decide everything but it is very important.

“I hear this talk about us not getting the results in the Aviva the last couple of years. Like everything else, you can change that with one game and one fantastic performance.

“Tomorrow night we know we will have to be at the top of our game to win this match. I think the players are aware of that and I certainly am myself.”

If Ireland were to suffer defeat, O’Neill admits that it would leave Ireland’s chances of progressing to next year’s finals in ruins.

“It would be a big dent in proceedings if we were beaten tomorrow night so we have to try and win the game,” he added.

Originally published at 14.19

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