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Republic of Ireland’s Troy Parrott is consoled following defeat to Czechia in the World Cup play-off semi-final match after a penalty shootout after extra-time at the Fortuna Arena, Prague, Czechia. Picture: Adam Davy/ PA

In the aftermath, as it sank in to those fans in the green corner of the Fortuna Arena in Prague that Ireland would have to wait at least another four years to reach a men’s football World Cup, the focus landed on the shoulders of one man.

Troy Parrott, whose six goals in Ireland’s last three games had made the dream of a summer tournament close enough to touch, stood in front of the 1,000 or so Irish fans who were lucky enough to have tickets for the away end — though several more had infiltrated the Czech sections of the stadium — emotional, but proud.