Spanish pour scorn on Irish showing

The clichés were flowing as Spanish observers rained on Ireland’s unexpectedly poor performance in losing 3-1 to Croatia in Sunday’s Euro 2012 Group C game.

“Poznan was like Limerick,” wrote Fermín de la Calle in AS.

“Cold, incessant rain and stands filled with green. Ireland, decent and catholic, were faithful to their traditions, lining up in jerseys one to eleven. Their first move ended with the ball sent into the opponents penalty area from 70 metres.”