Whelan: We have to go out with a bang

Glenn Whelan urged the Republic of Ireland to sign off their World Cup qualifying campaign with a flourish after slipping to a third successive defeat.

Germany's 3-0 victory over the Irish at the Rhein Energie Stadion ensured that they will finish top of Group C and head for Brazil next summer, while their opponents will spend the close season reflecting on what might have been and plotting a route to the Euro 2016 finals.