Keepers reflect on busy night at the office

Every player worked hard for the Irish on Tuesday night and no team will ever have an easy task when Spain are hogging possession.

But for the two goalkeepers that Giovanni Trapattoni sent out into the fray, David Forde and substitute Darren Randolph, the challenge they faced was uniquely psychological.

Not only did they have to watch helplessly as some of the most creative players in the world crocheted short passes back and forth across the Irish box waiting patiently for an opening, one look over their shoulder and they’d notice that behind the goalmouth, almost every match day photographer had pitched up at their end in anticipation of the inevitable onslaught.