Ward: We deserve to be here

Beaten convincingly by Croatia.

Beaten out the gate by Spain. It has been a traumatic week for the Republic of Ireland, but Stephen Ward does not believe for a minute that the team has been out of their depth.

“I think that’s harsh,” said the Wolves left-back whose own performances have been held up to unforgiving inspection. “We’re up against some of the most in-form sides in Europe. Maybe people had that opinion but us, as players, we didn’t. We felt we were a match for anyone.