Relief and torture at Turner’s Cross as Irish squad whittled down to final 23

For the winners a night of relief, for the losers a summer of pure torture , writes Brendan O'Brien.

Martin O’Neill emerged from conclave under the Shed End around about half-ten, 45 trying minutes after the 2-1 loss to Belarus, to share the ins and outs regarding his final 23-man squad and, true to form with the Ireland manager, there were a few surprises.