World Cup exit pains Quinn

Former Ireland soccer star Niall Quinn has admitted he still blames himself for Ireland’s elimination from the 2002 World Cup.

The boys in green exceeded expectations — following Roy Keane’s early dismissal from the squad after a row with manager Mick McCarthy — by qualifying from their group to win a place in the knockout stages of the tournament in Japan and South Korea.

A nail-biting clash against Spain in the last 16, which ended in a 1-1 draw after extra-time, was then decided by penalties.