Ten years ago today on February 7th 2007, Ireland were about to kick off a Euro 2008 qualifier against minnows San Marino.
By this point, Steve Staunton's side had had a difficult start to the campaign. A 1-0 loss to Germany was not unexpected of course, but the 5-2 loss to Cyprus had occurred the previous October.
But the Boys in Green had started to get back on track with a 1-1 draw against Czech Republic and a 5-0 home win over San Marino.
Next up was the return trip to San Marino, who had been thrashed a whopping 13-0 by Germany at home a few months earlier at the start of the campaign.
On paper it was meant to be easy for Ireland but history proves otherwise.
Kevin Kilbane celebrates his goal with team mates ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
With the game heading into stoppage time, an already under pressure Irish side was locked at 1-1 and heading towards a huge setback.
Fortunately for Staunton and his side, Stephen Ireland would pop up with a winner on 94 minutes to save face.
Off The Ball's Kevin Kilbane was on the pitch that night and scored Ireland's first goal just after half time, before San Marino hit back four minutes to the end of the '90.
Tonight, Kevin shared his memories of the game and aftermath. Even before the game, media scrutiny was intense.
"During that period under Steve Staunton, it did feel pressurised. It was probably less enjoyable than it had been under previous managers," he said of the criticism the squad faced, adding that he "feels for Stan during that period because he's judged, as a player and a manager, on that 18 months he had as a manager".
The effect of the Cyprus loss had an effect and was still fresh in the mind by the time the San Marino game came around, with Kevin remembering that "it shook everybody up".
"It was still fresh and would have been brought up prior to that game as well," he said.
On how they got out of San Marino with a last minute 2-1 win, he added "we got out of jail" and that the San Marino equaliser had shaken the team up prior to Stephen Ireland's intervention.
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