Ireland's UEFA Under-21 Championship dreams are over after France ran out 2-1 in front of 6,500 fans Turner's Cross tonight.
Ireland boss Don Givens had warned his players to sharpen their minds before the match, but the French took control from the off with the home side struggling to cope with the French attacks Wayne Henderson saved Irish blushes on more than one occasion after some poor Irish defending.
But Ireland took the lead against the run of play on 33 minutes Bury centre back John Fitzgerald won a header in the penalty area. He found Daryl Murphy and the former Waterford striker swivelled on the six-yard box to shoot high to the roof of Gavanon's net.
But the French, who could have scored at least twice before that lead goal were back on level terms after 40 minutes.
Irish captain Steven Kelly brought down Frank Ribery in the penalty area and Anthony Le Tallec tucked home the spot kick.
The second-half continued in the same vein as the first and the visitors scored a brilliant winner with twenty minutes remaining. Substitute Bryan Bergougnoux cut through the Irish defence before curling a fantastic shot into the roof of the Irish net from sixteen yards with man-of-the-match Wayne Henderson left stranded.
The win puts France back into contention for qualification from the group. But it's a poor return of just four points from six matches for Don Givens' side, who cannot now qualify for the World Cup finals.
