Heartbreak. Agony. Disappointment. The Republic of Ireland will not be at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, after a humiliating 5-1 defeat against Denmark.
Seamus O’Donnell is a student at St Eunan’s College, who is on work experience at Donegal Daily, and attended the Republic of Ireland v Denmark game last night in Dublin
I had the opportunity to be at the Aviva Stadium for the game, and when the clock read 90 minutes, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the scoreboard. I don’t know how it happened.
The Aviva was a fortress of hope, desire and ambition amongst all.
One team was going to Russia, one team was fulfilling their dream. The other would be filled with despair, hopelessness and what ifs.
The passion showed by the Irish crowd for the inspirational rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann gave goosebumps to many a supporter in the ground and elsewhere.
Shane Duffy sent the home crowd into jubilation and ecstasy after 6 minutes. His header evaded Kasper Schmeichel and flew into the net. One foot in the door of Russia 2018, could we hold on?
The boys beside me and I knew what time it was. It was time for 10 or 11 men behind the ball. It was time to park the bus for 84 minutes. Could we hold off the Danes for that long? It was a big ask, and turned out to be too big of an ask.
The contest could have mapped out very different if James McClean had have scored the glorious chance that diverted wide left of Schmeichel’s goal after 20 minutes.
It came from probably the best passage of Irish play during the whole 90 minutes, with McClean linking up with Robbie Brady on the left wing. 2-0 up after 20 minutes would have been ideal, it would’ve put immense pressure on the Danes to score three needed unanswered goals. What might have been…
The demolition started just before the half hour mark, with the Irish contingent asleep in the box, as Pione Sisto nutmegged Harry Arter and found a free Andreas Christensen at the back post.
The Chelsea centre half didn’t hit the sweetest shot, and some would say it could be a Cyrus Christie own goal, but it went in nonetheless. It all came from a short Danish corner; which Ireland should have been more alert for.
Christian Eriksen showed what a world class player he is three minutes later, as he rifled his shot off the crossbar and into the net, sinking Irish hearts in the process.
It all came from Stephen Ward trying and failing to take on Yussuf Poulsen, and Denmark were hungry as ever, with Nicolai Jørgensen getting the assist. There was nothing Darren Randolph could do about it; it was that good of a strike. The man had the audacity to knee slide in front of the Irish fans, something you are able to do when you are a top, top player.
The second half started as the first half finished; Denmark dominating, backs to the wall performances by the Irish, a third goal was coming. The goal came on 63 minutes. Eriksen again, who else. The Spurs playmaker nestled the ball into the far corner, with his ‘weaker’ left foot. Christian Eriksen cost Spurs £11 million, a massive bargain when you compare it to Manchester United paying 27.5 million for Marouane Fellaini’s services.
With 16 minutes left of the 90, Eriksen completed his stunning hat-trick, again Stephen Ward would be the Irishman to blame. Ward failed to clear a Jørgensen cross, and perfectly laid off to Eriksen, who rifled his shot into the top corner. One of the boys beside me had just given up hope. Sat slumped in his chair, he started to applaud Eriksen. I’m sure he wasn’t the only one in the crowd. Sometimes you just have to sit back and admire an artist and their work.
It was game over long before the 90 minutes were up, but the popular Premier League flop Nicklas Bendtner was tripped by McClean in injury time.
He stepped up himself to take the penalty, and sent Randolph the wrong way. 5-1 it ended to the Danes. The better footballing side are on their way Russia, and rightly so. It would be a shame for a player with the quality that Eriksen has to watch the World Cup in his sitting room. But what now for Ireland?
Darren Randolph couldn’t have done a lot more for the goals, and he produced some decent saves. Shane Duffy was solid at the back as he usually is, I can see Duffy become a future Ireland captain. Ward was shocking, and I didn’t realise Jeff Hendrick was on the pitch until around the half hour mark.
I honestly do not know why Aidan McGeady was on that pitch. I don’t know what he’s good for. Oh well I do – nothing. He can’t beat the first man on his crosses, and crossing is supposed to be one of his strong points…
Seamus Coleman is a big, big miss for the boys in green. Cyrus Christie is such a downgrade to him. Coleman is the one player in the team who is up there with the best in his trade. Top quality full backs are scarce in this day and age, with the likes of Dani Alves past their prime. When Coleman comes back, it will be a big gain for the Irish.
A game that was destined for a big finale by Martin O’Neill’s men, it brought fans back down to reality that the Irish football team lacks quality and star power.
The loyal and ever loud Ireland fans will certainly be missed in Moscow, St Petersburg, the lot; but the team and players will not.
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