Brian Kerr said the Republic of Ireland now had a "great chance" of qualifying for next year's European Championships after hearing Georgia had beaten Russia 1-0 in today's Group 10 qualifier in Tbilisi.
With their next three qualifiers all at home - to Albania, Georgia and Russia - that result gives the Republic a realistic chance of claiming runners-up spot in the group, and an outside chance of booking their place in Portugal next summer by winning the group.
Kerr had cause for a double celebration after his team's 1-0 friendly victory over Norway in his first match in charge at Lansdowne Road.
"It's a wonderful result and it gives us a great chance of qualifying," said Kerr after hearing the news from Georgia.
"It puts us right back in the picture and I am absolutely delighted.
"It throws our results into the true perspective and shows things in a truer light.
"Switzerland drew 0-0 in Georgia, we won 2-1 there and now Russia have lost there. If we do our stuff in our next three games at home it gives us a great chance.
"We were happy before the match tonight to hear the result from Georgia. When I came into the job we were so far behind the top two, but this gives us an opportunity whereby things are back in our own hands in relation to second place.
"I never felt it was over as long as we did our stuff because I always felt the other teams would be chipping off each other and it is definitely a tight group."
Switzerland remain top of the group on eight points at the halfway stage of the qualifying campaign, with Russia second on six points and Albania third on five. Ireland are second bottom, just ahead of the Georgians thanks to a better goal difference, with both countries on four points.
However, after losing their opening two matches under former manager Mick McCarthy, the pendulum has swung back in favour of Kerr's Ireland. They have those three home matches followed by a trip to Switzerland, while the Swiss and the Russians must face each other twice.
After the massive fillip from Georgia, Kerr enjoyed his second boost of the night when Damien Duff's 17th minute goal was enough to seal victory over Norway to extend his unbeaten run to four matches - three of them wins - since he took charge in February.
"You could see by the players reaction after the game how important it was to remain unbeaten," said Kerr. "It was another win under their belts and another clean sheet, and it is very important for morale and confidence.
"Damien is certainly in a rich vein of form, he has scored four goals for Blackburn recently and that is two in the last three games for us."