Crashing back to reality

Although the outcome was set in stone long before kick-off on Monday night, Ireland's 2-0 loss to Italy was still hard to take. In what was probably the most promising performance from the boys in green of the Euros campaign, Ireland managed to hold out until the 35 minute of the first half before Antonio Cassano headed the ball to the goal following a corner kick from Andrea Pirlo.

Up until that point the Irish looked sharp and up for it, two features which were seemingly missing from their mantra in the matches versus Croatia and Spain where they conceded goals in the opening four minutes of both matches. 

Irish fans, on the back of Roy Keane's controversial comments after the Spain match, were again loud and proud behind their team as the second half got underway but the Italian's were causing all sorts of problems. Federico Balzaretti looked menacing down the left and with the referee doing Ireland no favours, a defeat looked on the cards.

The Irish substitutions took some time to come with Shane Long replacing Aiden McGeady in the 65th minute followed by Jonathan Walters and Simon Cox who replaced Kevin Doyle and Robbie Keane in the 75th and 85th minute respectively. Keith Andrews, who could not be faulted for the effort and heart he showed in all three of Ireland's matches, was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for dissent, salt to this already very raw wound to say the very least. Another set piece in the 90th minute resulted in yet another goal, Mario Balotelli karate-kicking his team in to the the next round of the Euros while for the Irish, reality finally set in.

Three losses, nine goals and our worst performance ever from an Irish team at a major tournament. The Fields of Athenry? More like the Bog of Eternal Stench on this occasion, unfortunately, and where to from here? Trapattoni said two players confirmed their retirement in the aftermath of the match but refused to name who the players were and the likelihood is that more will follow in their footsteps.

With little time for reflection before the World Cup qualifiers, Ireland were found wanting on far too many occasions in this campaign and if they are to match the likes of Germany and Sweden, two of the teams they are drawn alongside in Group C for the World Cup qualifiers, a lot more will need to be done. The question is, does Trap have what it takes to do that?