After independence, the FAI finds itself with a mountain to climb to earn the right to call the national team Ireland, to hold autonomy over the 26 counties, to end the practice of dual representation and to take their place on the world stage as a free, independent and great footballing nation, by qualifying for a major tournament. The struggle would be marked by the uneasy relationship between politics and sport. The pain and heartbreak of failing to qualify was somewhat eased by a booming domestic league which entered a golden era but would eventually see a decline as eyes turned towards the English game.