Jonathan Cowan:, external Hopefully a win for Northern Ireland, the Republic and Scotland later.

Image source, Reuters

Conor McLaughlin evades the leg of a sliding Hungary defender as Northern Ireland attack again. The midfielder swings in a cross for Kyle Lafferty, who cushions a header over the bar.

The away side are not being intimidated by the vocal home crowd at the moment.

A quietish start in Georgia - which will probably suit Martin O'Neill and his team. Georgia striker Nikoloz Gelashvili has been lively so far, looking to get on the end of some raking long balls.

Brave tactics by Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill as his side appear to be playing with three at the back. Entertaining stuff in the early stages as Jamie Ward stabs a shot at goal before Balazs Dzsudzsak pokes wide at the other end. Very open start.

Andrew in Richill via text: For the first time in a long time there is a genuine sense of optimism and hope that Northern Ireland could just qualify for a major competition. Michael O'Neill is building a solid team and also getting his tactics just right, and with more teams qualifying for Euro 2016 this could be a great chance. It's been a long time since Mexico 1986!

Under way in today's Euro 2016 qualifying early kick-offs, can Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland get their campaigns going with a win? Time to find out.

BBC Sport's Joel Taggart, external in Budapest: Happy David Healy day! Hard to believe it is nine years ago. Can someone else be the hero in Hungary?

Turn away now England fans. It was 7 September 2005 when Healy's 74th minute goal sank England in a World Cup qualifier in Belfast, one of the most famous nights in Northern Ireland's history.

Sold out at the Groupama Arena and you can tell, superb atmosphere. Kick-off moments away...

Former Northern Ireland international Keith Gillespie:, external Made my debut for Northern Ireland 20 years ago today. Also nine years ago today wasn't a bad wee night. Where do the years go?

Sanj:, external And so it begins again. The other Home Nations attempt to qualify for a major tournament. Good luck to them!

Image source, @officialirishfa

Official Irish FA:, external The noise is building.

Teams are heading out on to the pitches in Budapest and Tbilisi as the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland prepare to get their qualifying campaigns under way. National anthems up shortly.

Image source, Other

That game finished 1-0 to Northern Ireland. I'm sure they would settle for that this evening.

Image source, ©William Cherry / Presseye

Some Northern Ireland fans have got to their seats nice and early.

Dave Hawthorne:, external Can't believe @billymckay22 isn't getting a start tonight for northern ireland, best striker we have!

Mark Kennedy:, external It will be a easy win tonight for Germany wouldn't be surprised if it was a 5-0 hammering.

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill: "We have had friendly games, we have tried to look at as many players over that time because it is a long road to France, and we are going to try and be as prepared as we can.

On Stephen Quinn starting: "We want Glenn Whelan to sit as much as possible and allows James McCarthy and Stephen Quinn to get forward and help Robbie Keane."

Image source, PA

Northern Ireland fans have been oiling their voice boxes this afternoon - but will they have much to cheer about later? Just under 20 minutes until kick off.

606 phone-in
BBC Radio 5 live

The lines are now open for 606 with Ian Wright and Kelly Cates on BBC 5 live, from 17:00 BST.

They want to know why no-one seems to be excited about England any more. Plus Adrian Bevington from the English Football Association will be taking listeners questions - what would you like to ask him?

Later today Scotland take on the World Champions Germany - what chance have they got?

Get in touch, call 0500 909 693, text 85058 and use the hashtag @bbc606 on social media.

Image source, Getty Images

An appearance at a European Championship tournament has so far eluded Northern Ireland.

The closest they have come in recent years was in qualifying for Euro 2008 when they finished third in Group F, six points behind Sweden, who qualified automatically in second place.

That was the campaign David Healy broke the record for goals scored in one European campaign, banging in 13 in Northern Ireland's 12 games. He scored six more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo in that campaign. SIX. Amazing scenes.

Image source, Getty Images

For the Republic of Ireland, it is just two years since they last appeared at the finals of a European Championship.

They were drawn in a tough Group C at the tournament in Poland and Ukraine, losing 3-1 to Croatia in their opening game and then 4-0 to eventual champions Spain. Their campaign ended with a 2-0 defeat to Italy.

Prior to that they competed at Euro '88, pictured above, and although they beat England 1-0 in their opening Group B game thanks to a Ray Houghton goal, they failed to progress to the next stage after drawing with the Soviet Union and losing to the Netherlands.