Spanish template shows the way forward for Ireland

THE most sobering aspect of Thursday night was that, really, this was how it felt to be insignificant. This was how it felt to be a Honduras 2010, a Costa Rica 2006 – in other words, one of the worst teams in a tournament.

Ireland have never been in that situation before. Indeed, Euro 2012 marks the first time the country has ever lost two consecutive games at a competition. We’ve never not been in contention.

Of course, all of this must be placed into the context that Ireland have never been in a group this difficult before. Indeed, it’s arguable whether they’ve ever faced a team as good as this Spain before. As goes without saying, Ireland were the least talented team in the pool.