Putting rivalries aside for a few, precious moments.
Like most of his teammates on the sideline, Morgan Schneiderlin stormed the Grand Stade pitch at the final whistle to celebrate with the players that had defeated Ireland 2-1.
France had just about coped with the pressure of playing in front of an expectant home crowd and a ferocious challenge from Martin O’Neill’s men.
Schneiderlin had lived every moment from the substitute’s bench and, with his team trailing 1-0 at the break, accepted that this may not have been the day for his tidy yet conservative style of midfield play. Still, he got behind the team and could be seen coaxing his colleagues on a rare foray down the sideline to limber up.
Antoine Griezmann’s double strike confirmed that France’s Euro 2016 journey would continue. Ireland would be heading home.
Shane Long was all too aware of that as he slumped to the turf at the final whistle. He had run himself to a stand-still and had no more to give.
While the Irish players, lost in their own thoughts, left Long to himself, Schneiderlin was the man that rose him to his feet. Irish fans dispersed in with the French supporters noted how Schneiderlin pulled himself away from celebrating with Olivier Giroud and Adil Rami to seek Long out.
The pair had spent the 2014/15 season together at Southampton and are on good terms. They exchanged pleasantries before the match but once the game was over, the battle done, Schneiderlin did not forget.
There was a smattering of applause as Long, now on his feet, embraced the Manchester United midfielder. They spoke for a moment, Schneiderlin patted Long on the chest and they parted ways. A little gesture that meant a lot.
By the time Long joined his teammates, as they made their way over the the corner of Stade Olympique Lyonnais, he had turned his attention to consoling Darren Randolph, who had taken Ireland’s exit particularly hard.
Then he retook a seat on the pitch, waved at the fans and soaked up their applause and appreciation.
