Sore spot

THE END of an era or the dawn of a new age? Cool reflection will confirm that for Ireland the epic events at Suwon’s vibrant theatre before 38,926 fans provided both a tantalising glimpse of the future and a tearful farewell to an extraordinary and memorable World Cup odyssey.

Ireland deserved more. They gave Spain a one-goal lead with all the benevolence of a rich aunt indulging her nephew. They then rose in a controlled rage to dominate their haughty opponents so comprehensively as to choke them to within an inch of elimination.

Ireland failed, however, to capitalise in circumstances that were almost bizarre. They failed to score the winning goal they needed despite the fact that Spain were reduced to 10 men because of injury for 30 minutes extra time.

To have come so close, to within touching distance of a place in the quarter-finals, and to fail was a cruel twist of fate, so cruel it was bordering on torturous.

Of course it is easy at this remove to adopt a detached and superior air and be critical; to say no team of professionals should fail from four out of seven penalties, that no player should have been left unaware that Spain had only 10.

It was easy to chide the over-emphasis on seeking Niall Quinn’s willing head in extra time. It was easy to suggest more efforts should have been made to isolate Damien Duff and set him running at full-back Juanfran who was compromised by a yellow card for almost an hour.

But how could anyone with red blood flowing in his veins not salute this squad. How could anyone reflect on the appalling and untimely disruption that all but exploded Ireland’s World Cup campaign before it was launched and not be complimentary.

How could anyone live through 120 minutes of raw passion, grinding intensity and excruciating tension and not feel totally proud of Ireland and enriched by their efforts. There were shortcomings certainly, and most obviously in the 30 minutes extra time, but it must be conceded they enjoyed no luck.

For there was so much that was good and progressive and, indeed, inspired in Ireland’s play. The deployment of Duff on the right instead of the left was a brilliant move and he surely had more impact because he did not have to engage the combative and lightning-quick Puyol on Spain’s right.

The decision to keep faith with Ian Harte was totally justified for the full-back was in top form. His use of the ball was exemplary until his sad penalty attempt and the need to beef up the strike force brought a premature end to his campaign.

Spain were sustained by Morientes near-post header after eight minutes as Puyol was given time and space to deliver the perfect cross. In spite of that Spain were so dominated by an increasingly more aggressive Ireland that they resorted to withdrawing their two strikers, Raul and Morientes, to beef up their midfield.

This in spite of the huge set-back of Harte’s penalty miss. It arrived, heartbreakingly after 61 minutes when Duff zipped inside Juanfran who mis-timed his tackle. A yellow card for Juanfran but sadly no goal as Casillas knocked down a penalty that lacked conviction and Kilbane mis-kicked the rebound agonisingly wide.

Incredibly, such a costly miss caused Ireland to step up their game and it was a mystery as to how Spain survived until the 90th minute.

Ireland played with a real swagger with Robbie Keane much improved on his indifferent first half performance and Duff was, as always, a delight. The self-effacing young winger is a genius, clearly one of the top players in this World Cup. It is surely a huge tribute to his skill and elusiveness that Spain should have employed the talented Mendieta as a defender, his natural attacking inclinations subjugated by the need to act as a buffer, forever between Duff and the player attempting to give him the ball. Yet Duff excelled; the most exciting player on the pitch.

Referee Frisk showed commendable courage when he penalised Hierro for yet another foul on Quinn with a minute to play. Robbie Keane’s penalty was sublime and now surely, we thought, justice would prevail.

It was not to be and the extra 30 minutes were not flattering to Ireland. Physically and emotionally drained, they could not maintain the punishing pace they had set. And in their eagerness to set up a winning goal, Ireland fell into the old trap of seeking Quinn from deep when a they should have been more concentrated on spreading the play and passing a numerically disadvantaged Spain to death.

Admiration for Ireland’s performance was diluted by the belief that they had been out-scored in a match they should have won. Such a cruel end to the careers of Staunton and Quinn and to a campaign that was bravely fought.