by Brendan Cole
Thanks again to everyone who followed the tracker and got in touch from all over the world. Great to hear from you all.
'A night when you could be proud to be Irish', says George Hamilton.
'Henry should feel some shame', says Eamon Dunphy.
We'll have reports, galleries and analysis here on RTÉ.ie to follow the tracker.
France 1-1 Republic of Ireland
Agg: 2-1
120 mins Given goes up but the free is too long. Dunne just keeps it in but Lloris takes.
They work a chance upfront, Govou bumping it over from five yards out.
And then it's all over.
Henry's handball has won it for France.
Sickening result.
118 mins Free to Ireland for offside in that France counter. Diarra runs it to the corner and then crosses, but Anelka handles it.
Three balls in are scrambled out until it is a free to Ireland. Every man up now.
116 mins Hits the wall, but it spoons up and over the bar. Corner France. It goes near post. Bit of confusion but Ireland collect through Given.
Long ball is again headed out by France.
114 mins Ireland don't have enough ball with France having plenty outlets up field. They win a corner with Govou pressing forward.
Corner is taken to back post and Given only gets fingertips to it. Header completes the clearance.
France retrieve and get a free when Gibson tackles Malouda.
113 mins Ireland work it to Duff but his cross is taken running away from the ball and is weak. Lloris catches and clears.
110 mins Another attack ends, a series of headers before an misplaced Irish pass runs to Anelka. They can't hang on though and it is another free to Ireland in the centre and McGeady receives the pass but his cross is short and headed out. Anelka gets again and runs down their right and wins a throw.
Ends with a throw to Ireland.
109 mins McGeady goes at them down the right but he slips trying a trick after beating one. Ireland win it back and Gibson has a shot from downtown next but it goes high and over.
Free to France in midfield for a push on Henry. Goes harmlessly over the endline.
106 mins Gibson pops it up and France scrambles at it. Eventually they get it out for a corner. Headed over by Gallas.
Next one is taken by McGeady takes again and Lloris gets nowhere near it when he comes but it goes wide.
105 mins Aiden McGeady will come on. Free to Ireland for Govou's tackle. 40 yards from goal.
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105 mins Free to France this one is headed out. Half-time in extra time.
Replays also show offside against Squillaci - though he was peripheral, he did get in the way of Richard Dunne.
104 mins France are ahead. Gallas heads it in after a long ball in to the far post is controlled by Henry and crossed to his head.
Ireland are not happy, but it will stand.
Replays show a clear handball by Henry and it is clear. Scandalous stuff from him, but it's a goal.
101 mins Gallas lets a cross flash past him at the French end and it is not far from sneaking in.
It's battle in the trenches with Lawrence and McShane piling into the French on the left is won by Ireland.
Govou then has it in the net but it is blown up for offside - popped cross, chested down and hit home. Whistle is sweet relief.
96 mins Huge penalty shout for France – Anelka in the clear and Given dives but fails to get the ball. Anelka goes over and replays show contact between his foot and Given’s legs, but the ref decides ‘no’!
Anelka arguably manufactured it by trailing his foot but it is a huge call.
93 mins Stunning effort from Anelka cuts through the nervy atmosphere, flashing a low piledriver from just outside the box after France pushed a few passes round the Ireland perimeter defence.
91-92 mins No-one commiting early in this half. Gibson tries a long ball but it is too big and France run back at Ireland. Gone cagey now.....
Hi to everyone all over the world - NZ, Toronto and loads more, keep hitting refresh.....we'll make it automatic some day.
Back in action now.
93 mins Scrambled clear in the Irish box - Given has to palm a cross down and it bobbles on the edge of the six yard box, thankfully there is no French man following up and St Ledger boots it clear.
One more attack ends with Lawrence blocking a cross and the corner won't be taken as there is not enough time.
Full-Time: France 0-1 Rep of Ireland (Keane '33).
Agg: 1-1
Extra-time next (PS The World Cup Extra Programme is cancelled).
88-92 mins Liam Lawrence rescues a situation next, and Damien Duff then intercepts a ball to end a French attack. Ireland are keeping it now. Duff makes two more interventions to keep it alive - what a spell by him! - and Ireland then win the throw.
Launched into the box and Robbie Keane is blown for handling very near the French goal.
Seconds later, L.Diarra pushes a weak pass back and Keane picks it up in and is suddenly bearing down on goal, but his shot from outside the box is high and wide.
Moved up the other end and France attack but their cross is poor from Govou. Ireland counter now but are stymied.
Malouda is booked for a takcle during play.
Another French attack ends with an Anelka cross going high and long.
86 mins McShane scrambles a ball away in the box for a throw - brief panic.
Tony O'Donoghue says France are preparing for extra time, getting water prepared while Florent Malouda is being readied and replaces Gourcuff. Thats their last sub. No Benzema.....
84 mins Free to Ireland in their own half - bad jump by a Frenchman - but Ireland's long ball fails this time. France attack again. They work it round the rim of the Irish defence and it ends when L.Diarra refuses a shot a slips a poor pass than runs over the endline.
82 mins Elbow on St Ledger by Anelka - an accident - puts the Irishman in a heap, and a French attack ends as he writhes on the ground. Ball hit long by Ireland and Lawrence lofts a cross from the endline. Too high and Lloris claims. Brief danger ends.
L.Diarra commits another foul - his sixth - out on the right.
Long ball by Ireland, Duff gives away a free this time.
80 mins Great tackle by Andrews on Anelka ends another dangerous French attack. But they are soon back, until a very bad cross by Sagna ends it this time. Too high and far with his left, goal kick Ireland.
76 mins Duff wins a free, drawing the foul, to end a series of tit for tat in midfield. Kilbane's cross hits the first man and France counter.
Dunne then has to calmly put a foot in as Anelka races through on goal - tight situation, well handled there.
Another free for France as Govou is knocked over. Gourcuff takes from near the endline out on the French right. Packed box and the ref gives a yellow to Squillaci for jostling and then not taking his lecture.
The free is high to the back post and the ball is cleared.
75 mins McShane picks up a yellow for a heavy mistimed tackle on Anelka. The free is poor and Given takes it.
73 mins Anelka repeats Doyle’s miss of earlier on, leaping high to Sagna’s cross but only glancing when he needed a firmer header on it. A tougher chance.
Lawrence then picks out Keane with a slipped ball and he takes it past Lloris but runs out of pitch with the goal gaping! What a chance! Ball just ran away from the Ireland captain.
70 mins McShane makes a terrific block on Gourcuff, throwing his body in the way after Henry set him up with a neat header.
Free to France out wide after Anelka is clipped and Gourcuff’s ball is good but Given collects it.
St Ledger ends the next attack, throwing himself into a tackle side on against Henry.
69 mins France are stretching the play now and work it to Anelka out wide but he loses it, Diarra then dispossess Doyle brilliantly.
Ball is moved back to the French half where they control it. Spell of ball ends with a poor ball that runs to Given. Gibson then tries a long one to Keane and he almost picks it perfectly but Lloris claims.
Tony O’Donoghue tells us that Whelan has a groin strain, while John O’Shea has a thigh problem.
65 mins Long ball for Andrews just goes to long - could have been very good.
Paul McShane is now coming on for John O'Shea, who is injured. McShane slots in at right back.
64 mins Foul by L.Diarra on Keane and Ireland are not happy. Darron Gibson is on for Whelan and the game has paused for breath.
'Fields of Athenry' ring out.
62 mins Another free to France but a misplaced pass by L.Diarra ends their spell in possession high up the field. Throw to Ireland.
Duff is put clean through by a lovely pass from Lawrence and his shot is saved. What a chance for Ireland, the shot was scuffed slightly……
Back up the far end, Henry is suddenly within inches of a French goal, long ball through is just controlled by the striker and under pressure from O’Shea he can’t quite get enough on it close to the endline and inside the six yard box. Corner to France is hit too long, and Ireland clear.
An amazing sequence of play!
59 mins Free to France right on the edge of the box as Kilbane downs Gourcuff. Henry chips it high and Lawrence is back there and clears. Ball is played back in but it is high and Given claims well.
57 mins Anelka is suddenly sprinting clear in the Irish half again and he gets to the edge of the box. Dummies to put Dunne on his backside and then hits a cross, that strikes Whelan in the midriff. Handball shout, but no chance.
56 mins Anelka pulls the strings down their right wing, using Sagna well before he works it to Gignac in the box. Ball is behind the striker but he swings a leg at it and St Ledger has to block. Good play by the Irishman.
Govou then replaces Gignac. Anelka goes up front.
53 mins Govou being lined up on the sideline, but he won't come on yet. Evra works hard down the left with the ball at his feet and draws men before finding Anelka.
He bangs a shot at Given but it is straight and fairly harmless from over 30 yards.
Free for Ireland in the French half as Kilbane bravely takes a rap on the ankles. Gallas heads it out but the counter is stymied as Gignac loses the ball and it is a throw to France.
50 mins Ireland get it in the box again and........was there push on Doyle from Keane's low cross!? Maybe he slipped. Danger moment again for France as Ireland had men forward and the ball on the byline again.
They attack quickly and have space and time as they run at Ireland. Ends with a shot by Gourcuff that is pulled left and wide.
Doyle and Duff have the next chance to press on but Doyle's pass is poor and the next attack falters with Doyle not reading Kilbane's pass.
End to end stuff.......
48 mins More great passing from Ireland, one from Dunne in particular a beaut and Doyle crosses it but it is cleared. Long ball almost sees Doyle in space as Squillaci lets it bounce but he recovers and clears.
France's turn to attack and Ireland hassle them into conceding a throw.
45 mins Play starts again. Ireland have the first attack and win a free from Lasanna Diarra, who trips Keane out on the left wing.
Lawrence will take. Long to O'Shea and he is totally alone! Takes it on his chest, lets it bounce in front of him and hits it just over!
Great chance, France in disarray there. That all happened just on the edge of the six yard box.
9.02pm Shout out to all those trying to pretend they are working around the world and keeping track on radio in Toronto, New Zealand, Jamaica, Greece and all sorts of other far flung destinations!
Play starts again in a minute..........
9pm Just a note, if there is extra-time or penalties (eeeee!) there will be no World Cup Extra programme.
The panel are loving Ireland's performance, taking it to France. Doyle has missed a sitter earlier in the game, Graeme Souness reckons.
It nails the lie that we are limited, says Eamon Dunphy. Damien Duff has been outstanding, Lawrence and Doyle also singled out for their hard work.
Half-time: Hi to everyone following us online and on TV.
Tony: 'is trying to sneak out of work in Toronto to catch the game. 2-1 Ireland. Fingers crossed all around the world.'
Anna: 'in a lecture in Boston frantically refreshing your blog. I think putting on the headphones and listening to the radio in class would be a bit much!'
Paddy in Argentina: 'Come on ireland. I am in Posadas watching on TV. Go to all matches home and away normally and half my friends are family are in paris tonight. all i want to say is nothing is impossible. Vamos irlande. Believe.'
47 mins Free is headed over. Corner to Ireland and it is cleared. Whelan passes to Duff and it is put back in by him, too high though and Lloris claims.
Half-time. France 0-1 Rep of Ireland (Keane '33)
45 mins Anelka has a weak shot from the throw which Given collects and punts long and it is a free against Gallas for pushing into Doyle. Poor from the big Arsenal man and Whelan is lining it up. Lawrence is there too, as is Andrews.
44 mins Loose pass from Whelan in midfield, failing to pick a pass, creates momentary panic and Ireland give the ball away. But Ireland are harrying in midfield, with Andrews and Keane chasing hard, and it is unsettling the French.
Gourcuff eludes the pressure briefly and picks a top pass crossfield to Sagna, and Dunne has to clear his cross with his foot. Ball comes back quickly but it runs through to Given.
42 mins Free to Ireland on half-way after a trip by Diarra. Kilbane hits it too far and Lloris takes high over his head.
41 mins Anelka teases it down the French right wing and then hammers a ball into the box and it bounces around - coulda gone anywhere, but it spins to the edge of the box, Gignac just failing to control it there. Anelka is soon back for another run but he over-runs the ball this time. Looks a real danger though.
39 mins Corner to France as they press down the right. Henry takes it high and long and St Ledger wins the header and gets it out.
38 mins For those not with us earlier, Paddy Power will be paying out to charity after we backed Robbie to score first at 9/1!
35 mins 'Que Sera Sera', sing the fans. Anelka has it on half-way but a French attack breaks down and is hoofed long into the French half. The game has fully settled down again as Sagna throws in.
France work it back up the field and this time, Gourcuff has a shot. Hits Duff and bounces to Given. Gourcuff obviously fancies himself from range.
33 mins A brilliant goal for Ireland. Kilbane found Duff with a lovely pass down the right wing and he skipped down the wing and into the box, all the way to the byline.
Keane held his run and Duff found him with a pullback and finished very coolly, going to the right hand side of the goal, with the ball rolling across his body.
Ireland have kept their cool and are knocking the ball around very calmly and still finding space in the French half.
32 mins O'Shea makes a key intercept and it is worked to Kilbane and then Duff out wide and he pulls back to Keane and it's a goal for IRELAND!!!!!!!
Robbie Keane scores and it is 1-0!!!
29 mins Game has settled again. Duff works his way to the corner but his cross is weak.
Another cross for Ireland, Duff's ball cleared by Alou Diarra. John O'Shea has it now on the right and he crosses. Again headed out but a French counter-attack breaks down early as Lasanna Diarra's pass runs behind Henry and out.
Long ball through to Keane is then blown for pushing by the Ireland captain.
25 mins Superb chance for Doyle but he doesn’t get enough on his header from the edge of the six yard box. Went to glance it, but didn’t get quite enough on the ball and it trickled over the endline.
Came from a long ball, flicked on by Doyle, chased by Keane and crossed by Lawrence. Lovely, simple football, but not quite enough.
24 mins L.Diarra puts in some lovely work and then releases Sagna on the right but Andrews puts in a hard tackle.
Ireland now press forward down the left and a ball is headed back into the box and requires Lloris to leap bravely at the ball as Keane lashed his foot at it.
The two shake hands afterwards – great chance.
22 mins Both sides are struggling to make easy passes, but then Doyle is suddenly clear down the right. He feeds Lawrence inside and the right midfielder feints to shoot and then lofts a soft ball just over the head of Keane! Good chance, but it cleared Keane by two feet.
Opened up there for Ireland, but Lawrence might have been better off shooting.
19 mins Doyle gets to the byline under pressure but he is off balance and his ball is weak and short back across and Lloris collects. Another foul to Henry, again O'Shea is the man on his back.
Wide and farther out this time.
Ball is hit to the penalty spot by Henry and Squillaci gets there but his header goes over. Pressure O'Shea just enough there....
17 mins Sagna is on the field. Throw to Ireland in the corner on Duff's side. They work it short and cross, first is headed out but another ball is put straight in and needs a great header from Evra to clear Lawrence at the back post.
16 mins Free to Ireland when Anelka runs into the back of Kilbane.
Sagna is now bleeding, this time from the mouth. Looks nasty. Liam Lawrence changes his boots.
14 mins France still pressing forward, with L.Diarra influential. Free is given to Henry as O’Shea leans into his back when a ball is played through to him. About 30 yards out and just to the left of the sticks.
The free misses - taking a wicked deflection to Gignac and he shoots but his effort is also deflected and goes wide. First corner is put out. Second goes deep to Diarra on the edge of the box and Gourcuff's cross is headed out.
Pressure lifted........
11 mins Andrews wins a throw on halfway, snapping at the heels of L.Diarra. Not a free, but plenty of spice.
Ball is in the Irish half and Andrews concedes a corner, trying an extravagant header after O'Shea put his header straight up in the air.
Henry's corner is cleared by Andrews and L.Diarra has a shot from the edge of the box, shinning it over the bar after dummying a bouncing ball cleverly first.
10 mins Lightning fast counter from France as Duff’s corner goes too high. Gignac runs past Larwrence into the Irish half and finds Gourcuff in the centre and he passes to Henry, who shoots. Shot is blocked and Whelan then clears….shot was from inside the box and hard. An escape.
8 mins France will have to chance their centre-half, maybe for the whole match. Squillaci comes in as Escude departs on a stretcher.
Throw to Ireland launched in by Kilbane is cleared but it is another one for Ireland from the French clearing header.
Kilbane then crosses from the throw, and it is a corner!
6 mins Short stoppage for Escude, who has taken an elbow from Evra and has a bloody nose. Heavy bleeding.
Squillaci may come on for a blood sub, his club team-mate, but only have 10. Ball runs through to Lloris and it bobbles, he can only clear it short. Ireland lose the ball again and Kilbane's chip to the corner runs out of play.
5 mins Another cross for Ireland, Duff getting it in from the left after great play by Doyle. Not a great ball, and France clear.
Duff then wins a foul in the French half for L.Diarra’s tackle.
2-4 mins Play is just starting to settle down - still lots of aerial hoofs from both sides. Ireland have a throw just inside the French half and Doyle releases Lawrence down the right. His cross is poor - too short - and France are soon in the Irish half.
They work it in and out of the front men on the right but Robbie Keane breaks it up. Ball goes crossfield but Lawrence stops it this time. Escude is then forced to boot it touch.
1 min Zinedine Zidane is in the stands. Zinedine Kilbane is at left-back for Ireland.....and we have kick-off.
Ireland start things off wearing white with France in blue.
Ball is hit long to Lloris and he clears to the Irish half. John O'Shea returns it to the French half and it is a throw. Gets back to O'Shea and it is another high ball, Andrews concedes a free for jumping into a Frenchman.
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7.59pm Kick-off in a minute now......
Thanks for all the mails, been a pleasure. We'll do our best to get them up during the game but will be focussed on keeping you up to date with the action.
France: Lloris, Sagna, Gallas, Escude, Evra, A. Diarra, L. Diarra, Anelka, Gourcuff, Henry, Gignac
Ireland: Given, O'Shea, St Ledger, Dunne, Kilbane, Whelan, Andrews, Lawrence, Duff, Keane, Doyle
7.57pm Booming, up-tempo version of La Marseillaise. The French players face forward and link arms. Give them a 5/10 for passion involvement all round.
7.56pm The Irish lads face the flag as the anthem blares out. Duffer is giving it socks, and most of them are singing along with great passion.
Huge roar as the anthem ends!
7.55pm 'Anyone out there - for some reason ESPN2 are screening the game, but only in Latin America.'
Thanks to Brian O Conchubhair of the University of Notre Dame for that one!
7.53pm One from another far flung outpost: "David here watching in Western Sahara. Serving with the Irish Army here. My Honduran colleague is convinced small nations can cause major upsets and any team can qualify for World Cup - just like Honduras did!"
7.52pm Richard Dunne putting one in the net is our best chance, says Eamon Dunphy - and they are a great group of players and lads, he adds for good measure.
And the studio hand over to George Hamilton as the players walk out onto the field.
7.50pm Couple of interviews with Irish players and Trap.
Liam Lawrence: 'We've got to put them under pressure'.
Exactly, Liam.
Johnny Giles reckons the call to pick Lawrence over Aiden McGeady is correct as Lawrence has 'more substance'.
7.45pm Matiu O'Rua writes: 'No way to watch it here in Helsinki. Its going to be like the old days with 5 of us Irish here huddled around the wireless. More tension with no picture. All the best lads'.
Check out this link for details of how you can watch the game, including 'wireless' options.
This sounds like a good spot; Jonathan Byrne in the Big Apple: 'Big support here in New York City. Full house in the Red Lion, with a few Frenchies thrown in for good measure. We need to channel ghosts of Ireland past, passion, persistence and the odd lucky bounce. Allez le vert!'
7.39pm Julien Laurens chats to Tony O'Donoghue and informs us that Nicholas Sarkozy is flying in especially.
Discussion in studio has moved to Thierry Henry's statement that he expects Ireland to fight, but that they won't have anything special. A fair point says Graeme Souness. Ireland can do it says John Giles, if they get in among them though he concedes we don't have flair players.
If Ireland keep giving the ball away, it will drain them says Eamon Dunphy. Leaving a big gap from back to front also won't help, he adds. If we do that, we'll get a hiding.
7.36pm There's some backing for Trap, the Cullen's (collectively? write: 'Can't believe what Colin Duffy said in one of those 7pm emails. Trap has done a brilliant job since taking over and has rightly decided that solidity is all-important to an Irish squad which simply cannot play a passing game. The team and manager were cheered to the echo even after defeat last Saturday and that's a sure sign that the footballing public thinks Trap has been excellent so far as Irish boss.'
And there is some fairly mean stuff about pour 'oul Andy Reid in that one too.......
7.35pm Stephen in Frankfurt says he: "Had a dream last night that we won 2-1 on the night..... wouldn't put too much faith in that though as the scorer of the first goal for us was somone called Torres! Will have to stream the game online as I can't find a German channel that is showing the game, unless Patrick from Switzerland (6.18pm) can tell me what channel he is watching it on......."
Graeme Souness reckons Trap will keep it tight tonight and let France have a lot of ball - that it goes against his nature to throw his men forward regardless of the situation.
7.34pm We've had an e-mail from what might be the highest Irish fan in the world, Martin in Manizales, Columbia, writes: "I'm watching the game with all of my in laws here, high up in the Andes Mountains at over 7000ft above sea level. If Ireland do it I you will here the screams in Dublin!"
7.33pm John Giles reckons it doesn't suit Ireland to play when there is something to protect, and that having to chase the game will suit.
7.30pm Eamon Dunphy reckons Trap didn't have too many options - Aiden McGeady could have come in.
Graeme Sounness thinks Escude is not a great player at centre-half, but that Lloris is top class in goal. Needle in midfield is also expected between Andrews and Lasanna Diarra.
'And let's hope for a bit of that', he adds!
7.25pm Coverage has started on RTÉ 2 and on www.rte.ie/live.
Tony O'Donoghue is in the stadium. Electric atmosphere, 12-15,000 Irish expected with a lot outside having a pre-match tipple. Lots of belief in the travelling crew, with banners all over the stadium from all over the country.
7.21pm John B (full name supplied, via e-mail): "In Amiens about an hour north of Paris. Living here and teaching here too. We HAVE to win. I've got to face 25 colleagues and about 200 children tomorrow morning at 8 in school. If we win, I've got my jersey ready. If we lose, I'm getting a medical cert for two months!!!"
Two months off for a medical cert John!? Vive La France......
7.15pm We've had a request for some updates about the best of what the RTÉ expert panel are saying this evening - to confirm that we will of course be supplying you with updates of what's going in the studio.
7.12pm More from the US, Tom in New Jersey writes: "Here in NJ there is a core bunch of supporters in the Hoboken area rooting for the boys in green. Come on lads!!"
7.08pm More emails. Great to hear from you all from Nicaragua to Toronto, Wellington to LA.
I was one of the lucky 35,000 in Wellington last saturday night to witness a bit of soccer history when New Zealand beat Baharin to quailfy for South Africa. Really Really hope that the boys in green join them. Cant watch it as having to work! Will glued to the computer for updates!! Keane to score a double!! Sean Lake,
Wellington, New Zealand
I think the pressure is off us now and i feel that will be the time for us to shine.The French are a team in decline and i think their home fans don't have alot of confidence in Domenech when it comes down to it.I am at school and i have to watch the match streaming online.....Nightmare. Peter Cleary, Boston
Had to get someone to put a webcam up to their TV and watch the first leg over Skype on an island off Honduras. We've upgraded to some local Nicaraguan channel for the second leg. Come on you boys in green! Enda and Colm in Nicaragua
Watching the game live from Los Angeles, been talking to people from all over the world during the week, everyone wants us to beat France, and that isn’t because they love Ireland. Watched the game on Saturday with French friends. Horrible. Today we’ve boarded up the door, no French allowed, unless we win, then I’ll turn this city upside down to find them. C’mon Ireland!!!!!! Neil
I'm over here in Kamloops B.C. Canada, I think the team and tactics are probably about right and give us our best shot at making it through, Keep it close and hopefully we get the break this time, I'm in bits with nerves at the moment. Noel, Canada
Trying to keep track of the match at work - not an easy task! 100% behind Trap and the boys...... If it goes to penalties Shay Given is the man to have! Come on the boys in Green! Gemma in Toronto
Ah lads why is everyone so against Leon Best, do they not remember that great chance he helped create at the end of the first leg where he played it square across the box only for the French keeper to save point blank from Keane, what do some fans expect, Maradona? The kid did fine, he's a far sight better than many other strikers of his age across Europe!! Ireland to go route one, and Ireland to win!!! Jonathan in Chicago
7pm I've been away for dinner, during which time Shane Murray has been helping out with your e-mails and the likes. Keep 'em coming to sportonline@rte.ie.
Head to Head: Kevin Doyle and Robbie Keane v William Gallas and Julien Escude
Julien who? Why Julien Escude of course. Escude plays his football for Sevilla FC in La Liga and, unlike his compatriot Eric Abidal, who he is set to replace, is normally a centre-back for both club and country.
William Gallas will be alongside and the Arsenal captain has, it is fair to say, sometimes had a reputation for being prone to the odd sloppy moment. One of Ireland’s main hopes ahead of this match is that there will be an error from one or both of the French central defenders inside the box.
Are they set up to create the right situations?
Last week, Kevin Doyle struggled to match the French in the air and with Ireland opting to probe the corners with their passing from midfield a direct threat rarely materialised through the front two. With his strike partner neutralised, Robbie Keane also found it tough to make a mark on the match and was mostly limited to working off scraps, or playing well away from danger areas.
Leon Best is the option on the bench – some feel he should be in the side, others have mailed in to say they reckon he is lucky to be anywhere near Paris this evening. But Robbie Keane’s goal against Italy in Bari, and going back further a famous, and very similar, strike against Germany in 2002, hint that Ireland can break open even the very best via the combination of Keane and a good flick on.
Fundamentally, Ireland obviously need to think deliver better ball to their front men but Doyle in particular arguably needs to achieve more with what he receives if the front two are to pose a scoring threat from open play. In fairness to Doyle, though he is a willing worker his natural game is more ‘fox in the box’ than final third chaser and fetcher. Ireland have not had the type of possesion to take advantage of that too often of late.
Verdict: If this does go to the wire, Ireland could possibly end up with both Best and Doyle on the pitch at the same time. In that circumstance, what chance the Wexford man coming trumps again?
7pm More mails from you:
Here in Chicago it has been raining all morning so it is a lot like home.There is a great buzz around the town not only the Irish but all our european neighbors and american soccer fans are rooting for Ireland as well. Expect France of course.We can do it the world is watching. Michael Durkan
Leon Best should be nowhere near Paris, he's not good enough. Trap will line out the same team in the same formation with the same attitude and we'll suffer the same head wreaking performance. I prefer the dark days of Stan then watching this. Anyone who thinks that Trap is doing a good job needs there head examined. The midfield should be Andy Reid and Lee Carsley for tonight, with Whelan or Andrews coming on later on for Carsley if needs be. For the money Trap is been paid, you think he'd buy at least a ticket to some of the matches that the Irish lads are playing in and go and have a look at them. We have another qualifying campaign with Trap to go after this, if we stick to the same formula I'll join the Missus watching Desparate Housewives instead. Saying that I am hoping for the lads to turn it around and we qualifiy but under the control of Trap and this pains me to say this, I can't see it happening. Colin Duffy
Agree with Mark in Dublin, had been thinking put Lawrence in the middle to give us a bit of spark, although I'd shift mcgeady to the left (he's much better there) with Duffer on the right. And how about Hunt left-back instead of Zinidine Kilbane?
Macker in Dublin
Excited, nervous and worried all in one if that’s possible. Think it will be a very tough game. We need an early goal and then keep it tight until late on and hopefully grab a late second. Should start Gibson or McGeady, it’s all or nothing. My head says France 2-0 but my heart says Ireland 2-0. Fingers crossed eh? From Chris, Preston, England
Those of us who did nt make it home during the Celtic Tiger are off for a late lunch soon. $20 to watch the game. Its a long way from Giants Stadium in '94 and a lot colder here in Boston too than that balmy day. Come on ye boys. Nigel
A tipp man living on the Isle of Man. Really wish I was at home fo this...However should we do it, you all hear me shouting from over here!! Given might have to have another big game for us, while Duff and Keane will turn on the magic from 2002 world cup to get us back again!! Come on!! Be waitng for that yell of joy! Chris Bracken
I'm hoping to catch the game live on one of the sports channels out here in Qatar, middle east. I was of the generation that sat glue to the tv for packie's save, O'leary's penalty, Staunton's sunburn, Houghton's goal and Hamiltons breath holding - and then ran outside and played football on the green until we were called in for bed! The world cup gave us as children then, a sense of identity, ambition and pride. Wouldn't it be great to relive that excitment again. Come on lads. 90 minutes. Good luck. Joe in the desert.
Only 10.27am over here is California and the bar is filling up nicely. We (the Irish) out number les Bleus by about 100:1! 2-1 to Ireland my prediction! Killian
Just wanted to let you know that in sunny Northern California those of us who can't make it to the bars in San Francisco to watch the game have to make do with a dodgy stream of French Cable TV. Thankfully we've figured out how to mute the French commentary and have the RTE radio feed at full blast!! Good luck lads, we're all rooting for you here in the Napa Valley, all except the French winemakers!!! Andrew Healy
6.48pm Match co-commentator Jim Beglin on the Six-One News stresses the need for discipline and says that Trap will be a 'genius' if he gets us through.
6.47pm The anticipation is rising here in the RTÉ Sport dept. I've just heard a frantic Graeme Souness tell someone over the phone that he 'needs to go and put my make-up on!' It's not every day you'd hear one of the hardest men in football say that! Souness has been in great form trying to give an alternate opinion to Mssrs Giles and Dunphy and I'll expect him to be in similar mood again this evening.
6.44pm And some more:
Why on earth has no-one considered that bringing Liam Lawrence into the middle of the park for Whelan or Andrews might actually inject much needed creativity to the midfield? Such a change could give a starting berth to Aiden McGeady on the right hand side. While McGeady can be frustrating at times he's the only player in the squad with the trickery & pace to get past a fullback. Lawrence is a ball player with signifcantly better technique and passing ability than either of our two destroyers in the centre in Whelan and Andrews and he will at least be able to offer something different (BEHOLD...a pass for our strikers from midfield!!!) instead of Doyle & Keane struggling in vain to win every high ball that's pumped up to them from Shay Given or our defence. Not to mention the fact that we are likely to have a very minimal amount of possession tonight so surely when we do have the ball it's better to make it count with a nice pass to a green shirt rather than hitting it into space hoping someone might get to it? We're already up against it, so why not surprise the French with a bit of a curve ball? Graham Byrne
McGeady has to play, he might not have the talent of Evra. We need the runs, crosses and spark that comes from McGeady. We cant dominate the middle so use the wings, we need to bridge the gap between the half way line and Keane, he needs service tonight. Somhairle Mac Fheargail, Rathfarnham
i think ireland have every chance of going through. the french could only manage one deflected goal in croker, cant see them doing much more in france, which will be in front of their terrible home supporters. im really not too worried. i think ireland have what it takes to get a 2-1 win in paris, putting us through on away goals. score in the first half, then in the dying minutes get the winner to put us through. come on the boys in green, lets take it to the french!! James Byrne
I think trap has got it right so and it is only half time in this match. The correct score on saturday should of been one all as we finished the strongest and their keeper made a great save from Glenn Whelan near the end. it is easier to Criticise than give complements so come on the boys in green and do us proud again out in Paris tonight in a memorable two one win with Leon Best getting the winner after replacing Doyle who will have worked his socks off again. Mark from Wexford
I hope the internet signal stays intact for the game…….been stormy here see the snow creeping down the mountains…..just a few hours please!! Larry Bowe from the Pacific Coast of Canada
6.33pm Your e-mails are flying in, but unfortunately we can't get to them all. Here's the best of the latest ones in:
Same starting 11 is about the best team we have. McGeady and Hunt are too hit and miss and may lose the game for us quicker than win it. If we were against a weaker side then definitely McGeady but against big opponents he is just not reliable enough. Fingers crossed Doyle gets the full 90 mins and Leon Best stays on the bench. Definitely in with a shout as long as we keep focused, we were the better team for most of the game on Saturday and well capable of getting behind the French defence. Martin Counihan
Given the fact that we must score, would it not make sense to play Lawrence centrally and let McGeady start on the right? Trap's system seems to negate having any creativity in central midfield. Unfortunately, in my view, that really undermines our chances tonight. Mark, Dublin
WHAT ABOUT ANDY REID HE SHOULD BE PLAYING FOR US.WE NEED SOMONE UP FRONT TO PUT THE PRESSURE ON THE FRENCH ALONG SIDE ROBBIE KEANE. LEON BEST IS DEFO NOT OUR BEST CHOICE LEAVE HIM OUT.COME ON YEE BOYS IN
GREEN. HUGH CONNECTICUT USA
6.18pm Patrick writes from Switzerland: "Unfortunately, I will have to watch the match with the German commentators on German TV, Nonetheless the German "experts" are not ruling Ireland out based on their history for big games, they see Ireland as a very dangerous side, and feel they could sneak it. The Irish are far better liked than the French over here… , I am only 4 hours from Paris, If I had a chance to get a ticket I’d be there. Good Luck Lads".
6pm OK, it's decision time on the Paddy Power Charity Bet.
The advice has been great, but on the basis we'd like to make €500 if at all possible, and that we've had a lot of support for this so I'm going to go with Robbie Keane to score first at 9/1 with Paddy Power.....(GO ON ROBBIE!)
And there is support for Il Gaffero, from Paul in London: "Say what you like about Trap and his tactics, I’d rather have him managing the team than Stan any day! Come on you boys in green! I’m off to The Kingdom in Kilburn to watch the game, should be great craic."
5.56pm In other Allardyce/Reid news, Big Sam may be about to let Steven Reid go to QPR.
5.55pm To those of you who have to follow this on the RTÉ.ie tracker, spare a thought for Ronan from Sligo who is even worse off: "Hello and good evening from Islamabad Pakistan where I'm about to board a flight to Bangkok and then on to Phnom Penh. This is a NIGHTMARE scenario - I can't even follow the game on the Internet!! So - Good Luck Ireland - you have shown that you are capable of beating the very best so go out tonight and do your best. That's all we ask."
Have to say while I have some sympathy, I don't feel too sorry for you Ronan, with the globetrotting and all that!
5.53pm Phil from Mullingar spots an error, and adds a dose of negativity: "Man Utd did not defeat Portsmouth in the FA cup final. when pompey won it in 2008 they knocked out united at Old Trafford and went on to beat Cardiff in the final. The penalty miss by Diarra you refer to was probably in the Community Shield in Aug 2008. I have not bothered to check it up i'll leave that to you.Ireland to fail to qualify tonight and two more years of 'bored to death by Trap' to not look forward to. C'est la vie."
Looks about right Phil.....
E-mails to sportonline@rte.ie.
5.47pm Colin Duffy ain't too happy with Trap's tactics: "We have another qualifying campaign with Trap to go after this, if we stick to the same formula I'll join the Missus watching Desparate Housewives instead. Saying that I am hoping for the lads to turn it around and hope we qualify but under the control of Trap, and it pains me to say this, I can't see it happening."
5.45pm The main Paddy Power Charity bet options:
1) Robbie to score first (9/1)
2) Ireland to win 1-0 (10/1)
3) Just spotted this one - L.Diarra to be booked first (9/1)
4) Ireland to win the match over 90 minutes (5/1)
5.37pm Dónal in Limerick is in positive mood (which we like): "100% behind Trap and the Boys in Green - Same team to do the same job as last week...reduce the French to shots outside the box. If we can keep it scoreless for 70 mins we will have a good 20 mins to attack with abandon and get the precious away goal. Shay Given to be the hero after 120mins!!!!"
5.35pm In tangentially related to the match news, Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has been speaking about Steven Reid again.
The gist of it is, 'He (Trap) should not hold what I said against Steven Reid. It's me that said it, not Steven Reid.'
It is a shame he isn't even with the squad......
5.31pm Can't believe they've named a whole Place after Clichy already.
5.30pm An update from one of the footsoldiers of the green army; Niall Morrissey in Paris mails to say:
"Just came back from Place de Clichy, where the traffic has completely come to a logjam as the Irish fans hydrate themselves before the match. Some are already as hydrated as newts. The Irish flags are everywhere - including a huge one fluttering vertically over the air-handling outlet for the Metro line. The local shops are running low on beer and the atmosphere is pretty buzzing. I hope they pace themselves...."
5.25pm Final decision on where to put Paddy Power's €50 (now now) will be made at 6pm.....
5.21pm Gavin Turley (e-mail): "I'd start with the same team from Saturday. There's only one goal in it and 90 minutes of football to be played, so there's no need to throw caution to the wind. I'm quietly confident about tonight's game and I'd bet that €50 on Ireland qualifying for the World Cup."
Gavin, that actually sounds really sensible...........
5.19pm Will Geraghty (off his iPhone in Chicago): "Ireland to lead after ten or so minutes, and to score the winner in
extra time, can not afford to concede a goal, John O'Shea being the second goal scorer! Eire abú!"
5.16pm Checked the prices, and Robbie is 9/1 to be the first scorer, or 7/2 to score anytime with our Paddy Power Charity Bet.
5.15pm Larry Bowe in Canada mails: "I hope the internet signal stays intact for the game…….been stormy here see the snow creeping down the mountains…..just a few hours please!!"
Here's hoping Larry.....
Also, I like the look of Ciarán's Ireland to win one-nil suggestion. I also really fancy Robbie Keane to get a goal.....
5.13pm Ciarán in Drogheda mails to say: "I was at the game in Croker Sat and for the first half we looked solid at the back and posed a threat on a couple of occasions most notably Lawrences chance. For this reason I think Trap is right to go with the same 11, we can't afford to lose a goal early and he can then use the fresh legs for the last 30mins, McGeady especially for pace out wide to trouble them and as somebody else stated a big man like Best for set pieces.
"Don't be surprised to see Gibson come on for Andrews, poses a greater threat going forward, Ferguson rates this fella very highly.
"On the free 50e bet, I think Ireland to win 1-0 is the one. If were gonna win thats how it will finish. Come on you boys in green!!!"
5.11pm Ian in London reckons we gotta keep it tight until the last hour, and wonders if anyone can clarify if it was Abidal who deflected Lawrence's shot wide at Croke Park and not Evra as reported?
Also - my own question here - did Robbie Keane handle it in the build-up?
5.10pm Steven in Dublin claims Andy Reid has been spotted in Leo Burdock's near Dalymount Park and will be playing a big gig tonight on (should that be in?) the Ha'Penny Bridge.
I'll certainly be there.......
No printable responses to our Diarra question yet.
5.05pm We're getting lots of mails, but be patient and we will get to as many as possible......
Peter Rogan e-mails from Edmonton, Canada: "Have the afternoon off work to watch the game but in truth I have been unable to do anything this morning anyway with the nerves. I think the right thing to do is not to go all out for it in for the first half.
"If we can take them in at 0-0 at half time we are very much alive. I am certain we will score tonight but can't see us not conceding. Can we score two is the question? Come on Ireland!!!"
5pm Some of the suggestions for the Paddy Power Charity Bet -
Alan Fitz: "How about the game to be decided by penalties - 22/1"
Two true patriots here in RTÉ have so far suggested Ireland to lose 3-0. To which we say 'boooooo'.
4.55pm We'll be taking a look at some of the key battles here on RTÉ.ie ahead of tonight's game:
Head To Head: Keith Andrews v Lasanna Diarra
Ireland’s combative centre-midfielder did very well in the Croke Park leg, and had one of his side's best chances, but Diarra’s work-rate, composure and positional sense made it very difficult for the men in green to keep the ball, or get it into the final third.
With the pair having been involved in a heated argument at the end of the first 90 minutes tonight’s personal re-match will be a fascinating sub-plot. According to Trap, Diarra has done nothing less than ‘insult the Irish people’, although he refused to say how exactly. Andrews won’t tell either, while Kevin Doyle just said it was ‘something bad’……..
(What did he say? "NAMA's gonna go bust pal!" Send your squeaky clean speculation to sportonline@rte.ie).
As with most of the head-to-heads this evening, the career paths are significantly different. Andrews has established himself as the hard-working engine of the Blackburn midfield – though he isn’t guaranteed a start when everybody is fit at Ewood Park – and has had stints at Wolves, Hull and MK Dons. England's least fashionable clubs? Not fair off it.
Diarra starred at the heart of Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth midfield (when they were good, though he missed a penalty in the Community Shield defeat to ManYoo) and has also had disappointing spells at Chelsea and Arsenal during his short career. Just 24, he is now the holding midfielder with Real Madrid and, some say, he is fulfilling the ‘new Makalele’ billing that prompted Chelsea to bring him to the Premier League in the first place.
The early exchanges will be well worth watching; Diarra went down under a fairly innocuous looking tackle at Croke Park from Andrews during the last game and has invited Andrews to come looking for him this evening. He also accused the Irish of trying to get their opponents booked during the match.
For Andrews’ part, he created one of the best chances Ireland had on Saturday night, curling a low shot just beyond the post in the first half and he looks one of the more likely scorers in the Irish ranks, if he can get upfield.
However, France gave the Irish midfield a problem by dropping Nicolas Anelka deep over and over last week, and although his goal was somewhat fortuitous, Ireland’s central pair of Andrews and Glenn Whelan be aware of the movement and overloading problems the French attack can present.
The absence of Jeremy Toulalan – with the more defensive-minded Alou Diarra set to continue along with Yoann Gourcuff – may help Ireland keep a lid on that attacking threat.
If they can do that, Andrews may be able to get forward and link with Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle more frequently this time around.
Verdict: Andrews to end the argument with a goal that restores honour to the Irish nation? Here’s hoping.
4.45pm That Paddy Power bet is for charity by the way - all suggestions considered.
David O'Connor from Malahide (e-mail): "Hunt and Mcgeady are limited players. Hunt is more effective when he enters the fray after 60 minutes and Mcgeady plays in a league that is sub-standard and does not have the talent to beat Sagna or Evra.
"Lets hope for 0-0 at half time and go for it in the second half. Good luck lads!"
Mark in Dublin reckons: "Given the fact that we must score, would it not make sense to play Lawrence centrally and let McGeady start on the right? Trap's system seems to negate having any creativity in central midfield. Unfortunately, in my view, that really undermines our chances tonight."
Lawrence centrally? Not sure about that myself Mark. I'd rather seen Andy Reid rappel into the Stade de France from a helicopter at half-time, polish off the remains of a Big Mac meal and sing a few tunes with the help of his trusty guitar in the centre circle before inspiring us to a 3-2 victory from two-nil down.
4.40pm On the very subject of a wager, James from Paddy Power has e-mailed to give us a €50 bet on the bet of our choice.
Any advice out there?
Dan e-mails from London to say he is looking at the big prices about Robbie Keane to score first - 40 international goals to his name - and Ireland to win with any sort of scoreline.
He adds: "The bookies would have you thinking it's Sea the Stars vs. Muffin the Mule.
"Hearts could sink early in Paris tonight. But if we're still level after half an hour … I might just check the in-running odds on the nags in green."
Senan from Drogheda (e-mail): "I think that Leon Best should be up front. We won't be able to outplay france and it makes sense to have a target man to aim for. Like so many of Ireland's goals over the years, we have a much better chance of nicking a goal from a flick on to Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle is unlikely to provide that. Bring Doyle on as fresh legs later in the game - you can be sure that we will need them!"
Eoin Moriarty (via e-mail): "I'm disappointed to see that Trapattoni might be naming the same team that played in Dublin. If that line out couldn't break down the French in Dublin, I hardly think it will do much over in France. Why are McGeady and Hunt not getting a look in? They're the kind of attacking players we'll need to get back in this tie".
Trap's thinking seems to be; get in their faces for 60 minutes, and unleash the nippy lads and the big lad soon after......though I have to say, I find it hard not to agree with the e-mails above!
Would really like to see Best in particular tried as I don't think Kevin Doyle is being allowed to play his natural game in these big Euro ties......
4.30pm France will probably show just one change from Wednesday. Centre-half Eric Abidal is not fit, while midfielder Jeremy Toulalan has not recovered either. That means Julien Escude is likely to come into the centre of defence alongside William Gallas.
Andre-Pierre Gignac will continue up front, supported by Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka. Alou Diarra and Lassana Diarra will be the back two points of a midfield trio, with Yoann Gourcuff allowed more freedom to roam in the Irish half.
The expectation is that Raymond Domenech will again go with a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation:
Probable France XI: Lloris, Sagna, Gallas, Escude, Evra, A. Diarra, L. Diarra, Anelka, Gourcuff, Henry, Gignac
3.40pm No sign yet of Giovanni Trapattoni naming a team for this evening's clash though all the signs are that it will be unchanged from last week, meaning:
Probable Ireland XI: Given, O'Shea, St Ledger, Dunne, Kilbane, Whelan, Andrews, Lawrence, Duff, Keane, Doyle
Surprised to see the same team out again? Should Leon Best be up top, or Aiden McGeady out wide? Or has Trap got it right.....
You can e-mail your thoughts to sportonline@rte.ie and if they're clever enough we'll print them........
We'll have lots more here in the build-up to the game, so stick with us on RTÉ.ie.
