Seamus Coleman sent off as Ireland’s Euro hopes dented in Geneva

SEAMUS COLEMAN was sent off as the Republic of Ireland fell to a 2-0 Euro 2020 qualifier defeat to Switzerland tonight.

Haris Seferovic’s first-half goal proved the difference at the Stade de Genève, which was only passed playable by the referee this evening.

Right at the end, in the third minute of added time, Shane Duffy put through his own goal in an attempt to block a goal-bound shot.

Irish captain Coleman was sent off for a 76th minute handball. Goalkeeper Darren Randolph – who was magnificent for the Boys in Green – saved the penalty fromRicardo Rodríguez and Ireland scrambled the ball clear.

The Killybegs man had been booked in the first half following a clash with Granit Xhaka.

Switzerland took the lead on 16 minutes when Haris Seferovic steered home.

Seferovic was denied by Randolph in the 51st minute as a fine reflex save by the Irish neminder kept him at bay.

Just over ten minutes later, a Fabian Schär header beat Randolph, but his header flew back off the post and Ireland survived.

Earlier this month, Coleman was sent off for Everton against Burnley.

Tonight’s was the third red card of his career having been sent off in Everon’s final game of the 2010/11 season against Chelsea.

Defeat puts a big dent in Ireland’s hopes of automatic qualification for Euro 2020. Mick McCarthy’s team must now beat Denmark in Dublin next month.