France vs Republic of Ireland: 'Proud' Martin O'Neill left disappointed at missed opportunity and rues lack of rest

The Republic of Ireland faded after taking the lead to allow Anotine Griezmann to score twice, with France having three extra days to prepare for the last-16 encounter

Martin O'Neill reacts during the Republic of Ireland's 2-1 defeat by France (Getty)

Martin O’Neill bowed out of Euro 2016 proud, but disappointed after Republic of Ireland lost 2-1 to France.

“The players could not have put any more into the game,” said the manager. “The tournament has been great for the players, good for some of the younger players who have come of age, and great for the supporters. But I’m disappointed given the position we got ourselves into. If we could had gone led for another six or seven minutes we could have used it to our advantage with France getting nervous. Then for them to score to other goal so quickly…”

Ireland led through Robbie Brady’s second-minute penalty but Antoine Greizmann struck twice in four minutes either side of the hour mark. When Shane Duffy was then dismissed for bringing down Griezmann Ireland’s chance of reaching a tournament quarter-final for the first time since Italia'90 was gone.

“France are a really fine team and good luck to them, they are possibly the tournament favourites,” added O’Neill, “but we had them under severe pressure. We took the lead and at half time we are feeling we can win the match. I feel the players extracted the maximum, but while reaching the last 16 is an achievement it is not something to rest on.”

Ireland had half France’s six-day recovery time and O’Neill said it had affected their energy levels. “We knew about [the difference] before, but it is an incredible amount of time for one team to have over another one.”

Didier Deschamps, the French coach, said: “We don’t do things easily, but I have not seen any team that does in this tournament, it is a very balanced championships. I knew this match would be difficult, and when Ireland took the lead it made us more uncomfortable. We had to dig deep to equalise and then take the lead.”


 Griezmann celebrates scoring his first goal for France against Ireland 
 (Getty)

Deschamps changed his team at the break, bringing on Kingsley Coman for N’Golo Kante, and said: “With Ireland quite deep, I wanted to get Griezmann next to [Oliver] Giroud. I wanted more pace with Coman, and to use the width better. Above all I wanted to get more presence up front. With the four attacking players up front we created some chances. We saw a lot more fluidity and Antoine showed his skill and ruthlessness in front of goal.

“With their emotion this French team,” he added, “is making everyone fall in love with them.”