Ireland fall apart at final hurdle on road to Russia

Rep of Ireland 1 Denmark 5

This was a night of unutterably crushing disappointment at the Aviva as Ireland not only fell, but fell apart, at the final hurdle on the road to Russia and what should have been the high point of Martin O’Neill’s reign as Ireland manager ended up as an unprecedented low.

Having gotten off to a dream start with an early Shane Duffy goal, the home side self-destructed in a punishing three-minute spell later in the first half, a Cyrus Christie own goal and a class finish from Christian Eriksen — but only after Stephen Ward’s mistake had gifted the Danes possession — putting the visitors firmly in control and on the way to the World Cup finals.