Irish President Mary McAleese praised lowly Cyprus's historic five-goal thumping of Ireland during an official visit Monday aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries.

The first ever visit by an Irish president to Cyprus has been engulfed in football fever after Saturday's shock 5-2 win, regarded as Cyprus's best ever result and Ireland's most embarrassing defeat.

Following official talks between McAleese and Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, top of the agenda at the news conference was the result that shook European football.

"I thought you were brilliant. I thought Cyprus were absolutely stunning... it was very historic," McAleese told reporters.

"I think I'm right in saying, not in living memory have we been defeated so comprehensively... It's really good to be here for an epochmaking night," she added.

The Irish president kicked off her official Cyprus tour with the game at Nicosia's GSP stadium which McAleese attended along with Papadopoulos. They were among an 8,000 crowd in which the majority were travelling Irish fans.

Asked what she thought of the Irish performance, McAleese answered diplomatically: "It wasn't great was it now?

"We were outclassed on the night, you were two-and-a-half times better than us."

However, McAleese voiced hope that Ireland could learn from the Cyprus experience and pick themselves up for the crucial home tie against Czech Republic on Wednesday.