We can grow from experience: Finnan

STEVE FINNAN admitted he was one of several Irish players who didn’t realise Spain were down to 10 men for the 30 minutes of extra-time as Ireland’s World Cup adventure ended last night as it began - in high drama.

Four weeks ago, Mick McCarthy’s men embarked on a rollercoaster of a ride as influential former captain Roy Keane was sent home after verbally abusing the manager during a team meeting.

The battling Irish showed amazing courage as they came through a difficult group which included Germany and Cameroon, and set up this second-round tie with Spain.

Few people gave them much of a chance against a team who won their group with a 100% record. But Ireland proved to be the better team on the night before losing in the heartbreaking lottery of a penalty shoot-out.

That was after they recovered from the setback of losing an early goal and then seeing Ian Harte miss a penalty, before Leeds striker Robbie Keane forced extra-time by firing home a spot-kick in the final minute of normal time.

Finnan said: "I’m bitterly disappointed because we had great times out here. After playing so well this was a set-back but hopefully with a set-up like this we can go on and go a step further next time."

Finnan played his part in full when he stepped up to Ireland’s fifth penalty kick knowing that if he missed the match was over and Spain had won. He struck the ball home with massive authority but then had to watch helplessly while Mendieta won the game for Spain.

"I was nervous when I found out that I needed to score to stay in it but luckily the goalie went the wrong way and gave us a chance," he said. "I was getting treatment for cramp and I didn’t realise it was the fifth penalty at first."

Spain, he said, had shown why they were so highly rated: "First half they showed their quality and they got an early goal. We finished strongly again as we did in all our matches and got a late goal and I’m delighted we got the extra half-hour for the fans who came out here and the people back home."

Ireland were so engrossed in a fantastic contest and so emotionally involved that Finnan admitted: "I did not know they had 10 men for the extra-time but even in the second half of the game I thought were the better side.

"In all honesty I didn’t know they had only 10 men and neither did a number of the other players because there was no sending off or anything like that.

"We could have won it because even though they defended in numbers we still created some chances and some half-chances but we got no joy. It’s just a huge set-back after playing so well."

Manager Mick McCarthy said he looked forward to his next assignment - the European Championship tie against Russia in Moscow next season.

McCarthy, whose tactical scheming contributed hugely to Ireland’s success over the four matches, said: "We can take immense pride and satisfaction for the way we’ve played and conducted ourselves in the tournament. I’ve great admiration for 22 wonderful players and 10 staff, who have been fantastic.

"I think we’ve every reason to be proud of a performance like that. We’ve gone out of the tournament unbeaten in my mind. I know we’ve lost on penalties but in terms of playing in games we’re unbeaten. We’ve played some terrific football.

"I think we get known for our spirit and desire, courage, determination which is wonderful, but we’ve got good players.

"I think we played Spain off the park. We’ve probably done them some damage for their future in the tournament. I think we took a lot out of Spain tonight."

McCarthy offered the opinion that taking penalties was something of a lottery. He said: "Practicing penalties is garbage. You stand up and take them and if you fancy it on the night... I saw one of the best players who I’ve seen over the last couple of years, Mendieta, scuff a penalty and he’s one of the best strikers of the ball I’ve ever seen.

"And Mattie Holland, who has been immense in this tournament - one the players of the tournament for me - misses a penalty. It’s just so sad.

"Kevin Kilbane is another who has had massive influence in the team. Dave Connolly, I just feel so sorry for the guys, I really do.

"Practicing penalties the night before makes no difference, it’s standing up and doing it on the day. I really feel for those guys."

He offered Ian Harte this consolation: "He didn’t mean to miss it. He’s scored them before. It’s a big occasion. There’ll be no criticism or recrimination from me for lads who take penalties." He suggested that Spain were potential winners of the World Cup but added that the effort they had to expend to get over Ireland might have taken a toll: "I thought Spain were the potential winner ... We played very well, maybe we should not knock Spain’s performance, I should say how well we’ve played.

"If we would’ve got through this with a little bit of luck in the penalty shoot-out, who knows, we might have been a potential winner. We’ve shown tonight we’re equally as good as Spain."

Inevitably the question of former captain Roy Keane was brought up and McCarthy said: "I don’t think Roy deserves any mention at this moment in time. We’ve got 22 wonderful guys who have performed throughout the tournament. It maybe galvanised us all and it just shows what we’re all about."

FAI President Milo Corcoran described it as the best Irish performance ever and the general secretary Brendan Menton confirmed it was their wish that McCarthy should continue as manager.

He said: "If we get the Euro 2008 I think Mick would love to manage that team and I’d love to see him there."

When asked if efforts would be made to mend bridges with Roy Keane he said: "That’s a decision the manager dealt with two weeks ago ... That’s not a question for us."