Ireland are headed to Euro 2016, thanks in large part to the goals of Jonathan Walters (and Shane Long, of course) but in a wide-ranging interview with The Sunday Times, he revealed that he was battling illness when he stole the show at the Aviva Stadium. 

His penalty and back post volley stamped the passports for the rest of the Ireland squad, and he put in a man of the match performance as he also got through a huge amount of defensive work.

Speaking to Jonathan Northcroft, he revealed that he was struggling physically during the game and had been battling illness in the run up to the match. 

He told Northcroft that he had an ear and throat infection in the lead up to the game, but found some antibiotics at home, got some sleep and turned out for the match anyway since he was needed to play. 

"I was playing right midfield and it was tough, I was up and down, tracking the full-back, but I got my second wind. Adrenaline gets you through. And caffeine. A lot of caffeine. Before games I tend to have loads of coffee". 

He also stated that as a result of feeling so poorly, he ended up missing the party for players and staff afterwards as he was so "wiped out" from the effects of his effort and the drugs.

He was also named the paper's Player of the Year, all the more deserved after learning that his Ireland heroics came while he was ill.  

Via The Sunday Times