They’re all in in together.
Ireland’s campaign at Euro 2016 has come to an end but it’s often said that you learn more from a defeat than a win. The four matches that Ireland have played in France will provide invaluable lessons for Martin O’Neill in his efforts to guide Ireland to their first World Cup since 2002.
Over the course of the tournament, Shane Duffy has proven that he’s capable of playing on the big stage, Jeff Hendrick has shown that he belongs among Europe’s best midfielders and Robbie Brady, well, he just keeps getting better in a green jersey.
Irish supporters will know that the future looks far more positive then it four years ago when we were knocked out of Euro 2012 and with this in mind, this chorus of applauds wasn’t tinged with the same melancholy or defiance that surrounded the famous version of The Fields of Athenry in Gdansk.
Take a look at a deserved ovation for a team that gave us everything.
Thanks to JOE reader Justin Finn for sending this into us.
