Watch: Ireland U17s eliminated in cruellest fashion after goalie sent off

This was a bizarre end to Ireland's tournament.

The Republic of Ireland lost their U17 European Championship quarter final in the most cruel fashion last night.

After forcing penalties with the Netherlands in a 1-1 draw in Chesterfield, Ireland looked poised to take the penalty shoot-out to sudden death with goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran saving Holland’s fifth spot-kick from Daishawn Redan to seemingly keep his side’s hopes alive – only to be issued his second yellow card from referee Zbynek Proske for allegedly coming off his line.

A distraught Corcoran was forced to hand his goalkeepers’ shirt to defender Oisin McEntee, but Redan made no mistake with his second attempt to send the Dutch through to the semi-finals.

Defender Oisin McEntee could not save the retaken penalty (Mike Egerton/PA)

As the Dutch wheeled away in triumph after a 5-4 victory, Irish officials remonstrated with the referee and senior team boss Martin O’Neill marched onto the pitch to take issue with the decision.

Republic of Ireland’s senior team manager Martin O’Neill confronts the referee (Mike Egerton/PA)

But the Irish were level almost immediately when a clever one-two between Troy Parrott and Jason Knight in the box resulting in the former sweeping home a superb shot.

- Digital desk