BY GRAHAM CLIFFORD
AS PAINFUL as it is to accept Giovanni Trapattoni and the Republic of Ireland will not be at next year’s World Cup finals, and no matter how loud the FAI pleaded the case for a replay after Thierry Henry’s shameful double handball it was never realistically going to happen and now we must regroup, refocus and recover.
Instead of preparing for our fourth World Cup Finals appearance our attentions now will turn to the draw for the qualifying stages of the 2012 European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine on February 7.
In the moments and days after the 2-1 loss to France on aggregate Irish players spoke of their pain and their dismay that referee Martin Hansson did not spot Henry’s blatant infringement.
On the airwaves across Ireland irate Irish supporters vented their own fury that the goal was allowed to stand and that the French Football Federation (FFF) would not agree to a replay.
After it became clear that FIFA would not grant a rematch the French captain and culprit Thierry Henry issued an apology but it was too little too late and you got the feeling he knew it.
Irish captain Robbie Keane pleaded with the FFF to do the right thing and agree to play the game again, saying: “On behalf of the Republic of Ireland players, I would like to thank Thierry Henry for his statement that in his opinion a replay would be the fairest option. As captain of the French team, to make such a statement took courage and honour, and all of us recognise that. As captain of the Republic of Ireland team, I would also be happy for a replay to happen in the interest of fair play so that whichever team qualifies, can do so with their heads held high.We can only hope that the French Football Federation might accept the wishes of both captains in the best interests of the game.”
The FFF and French manager Raymond Domenech would not budge and under a cloud of controversy it will be the former world champions who travel to South Africa next summer and not Ireland.
With the passing of weeks the pain may ebb but for the Irish players who played their hearts out in Paris it will remain for many years to come. Now they must attempt to get back to performing for their clubs before they begin their European qualifiers next year.
They will do so though in the safe knowledge that the future for the national side is brighter than it has been for years.
Seeded third for February’s European Championship draw Ireland will face two sides in their group who, on paper at least, will be stronger but having bettered the world champions Italy and the team they beat in the last World Cup final in 2006.
Giovanni Trapattoni’s side will fear nobody either home or away.
For players such as Shay Given and Kevin Kilbane the chance of making another World Cup Finals with Ireland is remote but if the Republic reach the next Euros it would provide the perfect curtain call.