Duff calls for Paris-esque display

Damien Duff believes Ireland can summon something of the spirit of the Stade de France as they attempt to pick up the pieces from their opening Group C loss to Croatia.

The Republic travelled to Paris in November of 2009 for the second leg of a World Cup play-off against a French side that had triumphed 1-0 in Croke Park and with virtually no-one talking up their chances of victory.

What transpired was a performance that remains the apogee of Giovanni Trapattoni’s time in charge of the Boys in Green even if their hopes and dreams of joining the global carnival in South Africa were ended by Thierry Henry’s double handball.

Trapattoni and his players will feel that they have suffered enough misfortunes to last the entire tournament after the defeat to Slaven Bilic’s side in Poznan but Duff doesn’t believe it will be difficult to raise themselves for the second game against Spain in Gdansk.

“I don’t think it should be a problem,” said the winger. “This was a massive kick in the teeth but we’ve had disappointments before and bounced back. France a few years ago, we lost 1-0 at home and played them off the park in Paris so we will be looking for something similar.”