Emma Byrne heroics in vain as gutsy Ireland suffer defeat to Spain

Spain 3 Republic of Ireland 0: Reality bit for Ireland’s women in Madrid yesterday but at least they won’t have to play Spain again in their pursuit of Euro qualification.

Despite yesterday’s defeat to the group’s top seeds, secured by three second half goals, Sue Ronan’s girls in green can still qualify for the 2017 showpiece by sealing second place in their final three qualifiers.

The Spanish have dished out some hammerings during their perfect six-game campaign and it looked like another was looming after just two minutes of yesterday’s contest.