The Republic of Ireland have been eliminated from Euro 2016, but the team’s supporters won’t be forgotten.
Despite being heavily outnumbered in the Parc Olympique in Lyon on Sunday afternoon, the Irish fans made their presence felt and got behind Martin O’Neill’s team as they led France for the majority of the game.
Robbie Brady’s first minute penalty gave Ireland an unlikely lead.
However, the energy expended during Wednesday night’s dramatic win over Italy appeared to have a draining effect on Ireland as the game wore on. Some half-time tweaks from France saw them comeback to lead 2-1.
The sweltering heat and Shane Duffy’s red card meant Ireland never looked like forcing the game to extra-time and France advanced despite the early scare.
In the stands, Ireland’s fans weren’t short of energy, and once again earned praise from French sports’ newspaper L’Equipe.
The publication claimed “Ireland won in the stands” and “Truly, we’re going to miss them.”
Via Mark Rodden.
