Shane Long told Newstalk last night that a change of formation before half-time proved the "difference" as Ireland mounted a stirring comeback at the Aviva against Poland.

But we'd wager James McClean's shuddering tackle on Arkadiusz Milik might have had just as inspirational an effect on the Boys in Green when they turned the screw on the Group D table-toppers.

Ireland has wrestled control of the game by the time the Derryman entered the fray, but it was his tackle on Milik, who had been touted as a possible match-winner before the game, that really got the crowd going. 

The challenge, while a bit wild and dangerous, was perfectly legitimate and left the Polish dangerman in a heap - and Ireland with a reinvigorated pep in their step.

From there the Green Army really found their voice and McClean was a key man down the left, running at defenders and generally causing serious concern in the Poland rearguard.

It was all so old-school that it brought us back to another key encounter at Lansdowne Road, when a highly fancied Netherlands arrived in Dublin 4 for a 2002 World Cup qualifier.

No sooner has the supporters taken their seats than Roy Keane lifted Marc Overmars out of it with a crunching tackle (foul), and set the tone for a fiercely combative clash which we unexpectedly went on to win 1-0 despite Gary Kelly's sending off and Holland's star-studded line-up. 

It's a timely reminder of as our qualifying campaign heats up of an oft-overlooked element that have served us so well in times past.

Ronnie Whelan made mention during his commentary on RTÉ of how teams used to hate coming to the old, fairly dilapidated Lansdowne and that the comfortable new-ish Aviva makes life far too easy for our guests.

McClean's rock-hard tackle was a throwback to how far a bit of intimidation can go - make your guests' life hell - and he even managed it by fair means!

Keane must have approved from the sideline.