We must carry Budapest momentum into Prague - Egan

Egan says the Republic of Ireland must embrace the challenge of this week's play-off semi-final [Getty Images] Republic of Ireland defender John Egan says Heimir Hallgrimsson's side must "keep riding off the back" of November's last-gasp win away to Hungary when they face the Czech Republic in Thursday's World Cup play-off semi-final [19:45 GMT]. Victory was necessary in Budapest but it appeared the Irish were set to come up just short when level deep into stoppage time before Troy Parrott popped up to poke home the winner which kept their hopes of qualifying for this summer's tournament in North America alive. From the low of their disappointing defeat away to Armenia in September which put their qualification hopes firmly on the back foot, they managed to turn it around enjoy the high of that memorable victory to seal second place in Group F.

The job is not done as they have another tough away assignment this week in Prague and should they come through that, they will host a final play-off against either Denmark or North Macedonia next Tuesday but Egan feels they can carry momentum into this week. "We knew we needed to win but had a lot of belief going there," the 33-year-old said. "When we went 2-1 down, we still had a feeling we could get the win and for Troy to do what he did felt like you were in a movie.

"We have to keep riding off the back of that wave and keep the confidence and positivity going. "These tournaments don't come around often so when you get a week like this, you have to embrace it and give everything you can to get the result. " Republic of Ireland quietly confident for 'cup final' 'Late defeat by Portugal a turning point' Midway through the group campaign, Hallgrimsson's men had banked just one point from a possible nine which came by way of another late show against Hungary as Adam Idah snatched a late leveller in Dublin.

After that dismal away loss in Armenia, the Irish produced a battling display away to Portugal only to suffer their own late heartbreak as Ruben Neves grabbed the only goal of the game in stoppage time. However, the performance gave them something to build on as they scraped past Armenia in the return tie before then delivering a stirring home victory over the Portuguese days before a Sunday afternoon in Budapest that has entered Irish football folklore. "It was a really solid performance against one of the best teams in the world [in Lisbon], so even though it was a loss, the lads came away thinking they were a minute or two away from getting a point and that gives you confidence," Egan said of the away defeat by Portugal.