By Glenn Mason
The Republic of Ireland's final Euro 2012 group game against Italy will mark a special night in the career of Damien Duff.
The 33-year-old winger will make his 100th international appearance and there is speculation that it could be his final time in an Ireland jersey.
However, of more pressing concern to Duff is restoring a sense of pride after two morale-sapping defeats to Croatia and Spain in the opening two games.
Duff said: "I hope we will be looking forward to it. We will get ourselves up for it.
"We're a proud set of lads and a proud nation. We want to give back something and the fans, tonight especially they were amazing, we want to give them something to cheer about. Hopefully it will be easy to get up for it."
Like several of his team-mates who trudged through the mixed zone in Gdansk's PGE Arena after the Spain match, Duff was full of praise for his opponents but lamented the nature of the goals Ireland conceded.
"We didn't help ourselves at times," he said. "Even at 1-0 at half-time you come out and think 'Right, let's keep it at that for 20, 25 minutes, maybe they'll get a bit nervous', but we didn't help ourselves.
"You are going to get pulled all over the place really with them. I think we done well at times and defended well at times, but we shot ourselves in the foot again.
"I dreamed like everyone else of going the whole way. It is obviously not going to pan out, but what can you say?"
For defender Sean St Ledger the game was as mentally taxing as it was physically demanding.
The 27-year-old admitted afterwards that he was "hugely disappointed" to be going home, with the "most difficult game" of his career sealing Ireland's fate after the group stages.
"They are the best team I've ever played against and probably likely ever to play," he stated.
"Everyone knows how well they keep the ball, but on the flip side of that they are unbelievable at getting it back.
"There was a time in the first half when each one of us had given the ball away, but we you just didn't have any options on it. I think maybe because you are chasing so much, when you get it you are tired.
"You have to give them full credit for the side they are. They are world Champions and European champions for a reason. I think they showed that tonight.
"It was mentally more challenging than anything for a defender. There are not many long balls.
"Everything is in front of you but it is all about decision-making. When to go and step on to the man or when to stay in your slot. It is the most difficult game I had in my career by far.
"It was a learning experience. It is probably a lot more challenging for the midfielders on their legs and more challenging on the mind for the defenders."
Just like Duff, St Ledger sees the Italian game as a chance to reward the fans for the support they have given the team.
He said: "The fans have paid a lot of money to come out here. The singing at the end was absolutely incredible and something I've never experienced. They're the best fans in the world without doubt. We want to go back to Ireland with pride.
"Hopefully, we can play well for them, get a result for them because they have been absolutely brilliant in every game."
