A SHOT IN THE ARM

Hallgrimsson insists narrow win over minnows keeps finals hope alive

- BY PAUL O'HEHIR

HEIMIR HALLGRIMSSON believes Ireland can still take World Cup qualification to the wire.

Evan Ferguson headed a winner as the Boys in Green saw off Armenia 1-0 in a must-win game at Aviva Stadium.

But Hungary scored an injury-time equaliser away to Portugal to move a point clear of Ireland in the table.

Should Hungary win in Armenia next month, Ireland will be out of the running going to Budapest on the final day if they lose at home to Portugal in their penultimate game.

But Hallgrimsson insists Ireland can pinch a point off Portugal and isn't ruling out a favour from Armenia either.

"It doesn't really change anything," said the Ireland boss (above) of Hungary's late goal. "It's a new dawn in the next window and we just needed three points here to stay alive.