Duff calls for Paris-esque display

Damien Duff believes Ireland can summon something of the spirit of the Stade de France as they attempt to pick up the pieces from their opening Group C loss to Croatia.

The Republic travelled to Paris in November of 2009 for the second leg of a World Cup play-off against a French side that had triumphed 1-0 in Croke Park and with virtually no-one talking up their chances of victory.

What transpired was a performance that remains the apogee of Giovanni Trapattoni’s time in charge of the Boys in Green even if their hopes and dreams of joining the global carnival in South Africa were ended by Thierry Henry’s double handball.