(posted 7978 days ago)Telegraph
Heartbreak but Irish hold their heads high
By Sean O'Neill(Filed: 17/06/2002)
The cruelty of the first penalty shoot-out of this World Cup led to Ireland being knocked out of the tournament yesterday after an epic contest against Spain.
Irish pubs across the country were packed as Mick McCarthy's team took its fans on an emotional rollercoaster involving more than two hours of anguish, elation, anxiety and, finally, despair.
After a first half in which Spain outclassed the "boys in green", Ireland fought back in the second half - missing one penalty then equalising with another in the last minute.
Then came extra-time, a nail biting 30 minutes during which Ireland outplayed Spain but could not score the vital golden goal, which earlier in the day had earned Senegal a place in the quarter-finals at the expense of Sweden.
The matter was eventually settled with the drama of penalties. Ireland scored two and missed three; Spain scored three and missed two.
Spain are still in the cup, but Ireland will be packing their bags and preparing to fly to Dublin, where they can expect a tumultuous reception.
Despite the defeat, the team has surpassed all expectations. Few had expected Ireland to reach Japan/Korea 2002 from a qualifying group that included Holland and Portugal. Even fewer had expected them to reach the second phase, especially after the acrimonious exit of Roy Keane, the team's captain and best player.
Some 10,000 Irish fans attended the game in Suwon, Korea, and carried on singing even after their defeat.
"We are feeling proud," said Sean Corbey, 47, from Naas, Co Kildare. "They were the best team but were unlucky. We cannot win them all. We came out just for this match and it was worth the journey, without a shadow of a doubt. It was priceless."
The streets of Dublin and every other town and village in Ireland were deserted during the game, while the country's pubs and bars were heaving with football fans.
The same was true in many parts of Britain, especially those towns and cities with large Irish communities.Brian O'Neill, watching the game in The Greyhound pub in Kennington, south London, was philosophical in defeat.
"I was expecting us to be hammered and after the first half I was relieved we were only 1-0 down," said Mr O'Neill, 39, a barrister.
"But we were great in the second half and extra-time. To go out on penalties was disappointing but I suppose now we know how if feels to be English.
"Still, how you react to defeat is important. We've had a great World Cup and there's nothing I fancy more right now than some tapas and a bottle of Rioja."
Andrew Connor, manager of Father Ted's Bar in Willesden, north London, said: "The atmosphere has been excellent the whole way through, with cheers and groans, but spirits are high. I have no doubt that the Irish will now go on to support the English."