The Republic of Ireland have lost their final warm-up game before Euro 2016.
Belarus beat a lacklustre, and largely second string Irish side 2-1, with Stephen Ward scoring the consolation goal for Martin O’Neill’s side.
Most beforehand expected Ireland to comfortably dispatch the team ranked 77th in the world, who had lost 3-0 last Friday to Northern Ireland.
Michael O’Neill’s side are ranked 25th, five places ahead of the Republic of Ireland in the FIFA world rankings. However, it could be argued that, because of the greater number of top flight players in Martin O’Neill’s squad, the general consensus appears to be that the Republic of Ireland are a better team than Northern Ireland.
These Northern Ireland fans don’t subscribe to that view, and had a laugh at the fact a team they’d rolled over a few days ago had just beaten their southern neighbours.
Imagine losing to Belarus, the worst team to visit Windsor Park since Northern Ireland circa 2003 😅 #gawa #oneteaminireland
— Chris Adams (@cmadams18) May 31, 2016
So Belarus, who got humped 3-0 of Northern Ireland beat timmy Ireland 2-1 lol
— Colin Mathie (@madnutter0102) May 31, 2016
https://twitter.com/theboymahon/status/737746808802283520
https://twitter.com/BelfastBlue1980/status/737746420783063042
Based on the Belarus test, it would appear that Northern Ireland are better than the Republic of Ireland.
— Trevor Oakley (@TrevorOakley1) May 31, 2016
NORTHERN Ireland beat Belarus 3-0 and the southerns lose 2-1 yet everyone still thinks that the Republic are better. Alright then
— Conor Pegg (@PeggConor) May 31, 2016