Ireland’s heartbreak in Paris

IN SPORT, it doesn’t get much more heartbreaking than this.

A monumental Irish performance in Paris – over the course of which they had a string of chances to clinch what would have been a stunning comeback victory in the play-off against the French and, with it, qualification for the World Cup finals – was ultimately undone by the hand of Thierry Henry, as the French captain foxed the match officials in setting up the decisive extra-time goal which sends France to South Africa and ends Ireland’s World Cup dream.

It won’t be of any consolation to the players or manager Giovanni Trapattoni that it’s they who should be boarding the plane after one of the bravest and best Irish performances of all time. It was a display of super-human endeavour, raw courage and no little skill, crowned by a superb Robbie Keane goal, but in the end it wasn’t enough to claim the glittering prize – just the huge affection and regard of the travelling Irish fans, as manager and players trudged dejectedly from the field of play having given it their all.