Town skipper Matt Holland's Irish side won a fortuitous 2-1 victory over Albania in Dublin, the winner an injury time own goal from Adrian Ariaj.
Spurs' Robbie Keane had put the Republic ahead after six minutes but Ervin Skela equalised two minutes later.
Holland, weighing up a move to Portsmouth, played the full 90 minutes for the Irish. Brian Kerr's side are now on seven points, equal with second place Russia and just two points behind Switzerland. The Russians and the Swiss drew 2-2 in Basel on Saturday evening.
Ireland face Georgia in Dublin on Wednesday night. After this and a short break with his family, the Town skipper is expected to decide whether to join Pompey.
Ireland: Given (Newcastle United), Carr (Tottenham Hotspur), Breen (West Ham United), Cunningham (Birmingham City), O'Shea (Manchester United), Holland (Ipswich Town), Kinsella (Aston Villa)(Carsley (Everton) 56), Kilbane (Sunderland) (Reid (Millwall) 76), Duff (Blackburn Rovers), Connolly (Wimbledon) (Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur) 65), Keane (Tottenham Hotspur).