Ireland got one of the more favourable results possible in today's 2018 World Cup qualifying draw, ending up in a group with Wales, Austria, Serbia, Georgia and Moldova.
The general consensus is that the draw is pretty positive for Ireland, especially given that Wales are the top seeds in our group and other possibilities included Germany, Spain and the Netherlands.
Here's how Twitter reacted.
Just seen Ireland's group. Great chance for the Boys in Green! ?
— DM (@DavidMeyler7) July 25, 2015
Great group for Ireland. Couldn't realistically expected more https://t.co/3g90Lq5FBc
— Dodge (@seidodge) July 25, 2015
Okay, not the slightest disrespect to Wales here....but that could have been worse.
— emmet malone (@emmetmalone) July 25, 2015
So nightmare lower seeds and as best as can be hoped for top seeds.
— Owen Cowzer (@OCowzer) July 25, 2015
FWIW Wales 7th of 9 top seeds, Austria 2nd of 2nds, Serbia 8th of 3rds, Moldova 9th of 5ths & Georgia 4th of 6ths so we've done ok overall
— Neil O'Riordan (@noriordan) July 25, 2015
That could have been a lot worse
AKA
It's the hope that kills you.
— John O'Sullivan (@johngosullivan) July 25, 2015
Bale and Ramsey get injured, Ivanovic retires and we've got a chance.
— Nathan Murphy (@nathanmurf) July 25, 2015
Though nothing we've seen over the last 18 months suggests we'd be able to beat Serbia, Wales or Austria.
— Nathan Murphy (@nathanmurf) July 25, 2015
All the other teams in that group are looking at Ireland and thinking 'points'.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) July 25, 2015
I'd take that draw @FAIreland #COYBIG
— Kevin Kilbane (@kdkilbane77) July 25, 2015
The World Cup draw has been very kind to us I would say! #Russia2018
— Sean St Ledger (@seanstledger12) July 25, 2015
How many of five games are definite sell-outs? None, I would say. Wales should go close. Only 35000 turned up for Austria two years back.
— Joe Callaghan (@JoeCallaghan84) July 25, 2015
No glamour tie. expect FAI debt to increase more in next few years. #debtfreeby2020
— YBIG (@YouBoysInGreen) July 25, 2015
"No disrespect to Wales' trending in Ireland.
— Ciarán Ó Raghallaigh (@Ciaran_O) July 25, 2015
Id say John Delaney is sick looking at that qualifying group. Wales probably the only big draw!
— robert purfield (@robertpurfield) July 25, 2015
Best. World Cup Draw. Ever.
— Keith Walsh (@KeithWalsh2fm) July 25, 2015
I'm going to be optimistic about Ireland's qualifying group. Like...we're level at the top of the table at the moment! #Russia2018
— Kieran McSweeney (@McSweeneyKieran) July 25, 2015
Knowing our luck we'll win the group and the World Cup will be boycotted
— Póg Mo Goal (@pogmogoal) July 25, 2015
And the Welsh reaction.
We had easier draws when we were bottom seeds!
— ffwtbol (@ffwtbol) July 25, 2015
Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
