Niall Quinn's record-breaking header (AlexLivesey/Allsport)

The veteran Sunderland striker was speaking after Ireland beat Cyprus 4-0 at Lansdowne Road to finish second in European group two and facing a playoff against a runner-up from the Asian qualifying zone next month.

Quinn, whose headed first-half goal was his 21st in an Irish shirt, has been involved in all three of Ireland's successful qualfying campaigns for European championships and World Cup finals to date in a 15-year international career.

'What we have done this time, in this group, I think outshines what we did qualifying for any of the other tournaments,' he said.

'There's not been a fault in the campaign.'

Quinn has been waiting more than a year to break Frank Stapleton's record, the precious 21st goal eventually coming on the day he celebrated his 35th birthday.

'I'm thrilled, I don't consider myself the greatest Irish goalscorer ever, that's for sure,' he said.

'Even though I've tried to play it down for the past 16 months I really wanted it badly.'

As his goal hit the back of the net sections of the Lansdowne Road crowd broke out into an immedate chorus of 'Happy Birthday,' repeating the song when Quinn was replaced by Clinton Morrison in the second half.

'It was wonderful coming off to that reception, probably the best I've ever felt being taken off,' he said.

'I've had a long old career playing for Ireland, many great days, many hard days, but that feeling was up there with anything I've ever been involved with.'

DELIGHT

Irish manager Mick McCarthy also expressed his delight at progressing to the playoffs, although he bemoaned the fact that Europe's best runners-up no longer qualify automatically as in previous World Cup campaigns -- an arrangement that would have secured Ireland a place in the 2002 finals.

'It's a fantastic achievement from a terrific group of players,' he said. 'I'm thrilled for Niall Quinn breaking the record, no-one deserves it more than him.'

Cyprus coach Stavos Papadopoulos paid generous tribute to his opponents after the game, putting them on a par with group two winners Portugal and the Netherlands, who were condemned to third spot after losing 1-0 at Lansdowne Road last month.

'Ireland are a great team with great players, I think they have a good chance of qualifying from the playoffs,' he said.

The one shadow hanging over the buoyant Irish as they head towards next month's playoffs is a worry over the safety of the players for the away leg of the two-match tie, which will likely be against an Arabian Gulf or central Asian country.

'We will be in touch with FIFA this week to discuss these issues,' said Football Association of Ireland general secretary Brendan Menton after the game.