Keith Andrews, who was by far Ireland’s best outfield player on the night, caught the mood when he conceded the team’s flaws.
He said: “We have to hold our hands up. Regardless of them, we certainly weren’t good enough.”
In saying that, though, allowances have to be made for the fact that, once Spain go in front, they’re essentially impossible to play against.
“You’re chasing shadows for the main,” added Andrews. “You’re working your socks off. We’re trying to get about them but, when you do win the ball back, you’re knackered.”
Aiden McGeady agreed with those comments of his team-mate. He said: “At times we tried to play football but it is difficult in games like that where you are working so hard to try and get the ball back and, when you do get it, you are almost out of breath and trying to do something with it.”
It was an image that encapsulated the game. Andrews, however, had another that encapsulated the occasion.
He said: “When you’re losing 3-0 and 4-0 and the only fans you can hear are the Irish, it just sends shivers down your spine.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to give them the performances they deserve.”
And, ultimately, after all the talk of emulating Greece in 2004, Ireland have only copied Greece in 2008: who went out in the first round.
Duff lamented the lost dreams. “Before the game, we definitely believed we could grind out a result. And I mean that genuinely.
“I dreamed like everyone else. I dreamed of going the whole way. Obviously, it’s not going to pan out.”
At the very least, Ireland can have a say in how the group pans out, as they face a desperate Italy in the last game.
No matter what happens in that match, a 2-2 draw between Spain and Croatia will put the Italians out, with Trapattoni possibly finding himself on the opposite side of the situation he experienced with his country in 2004.
“Come Monday,” Andrews insisted, “we’ll be up for the game.”
