Ireland’s first involvement in the inaugural UEFA Nations League action is all but over as they sit rock bottom of the three-man group following their 1-0 defeat to Wales at the Aviva.
A far cry from the pasting that Martin O’Neill’s side took last month in Cardiff but a defeat, and a home defeat at that, as Ireland were undone by a 58th-minute set-piece, which ultimately decided the game.
That particular loss in Cardiff appeared to put the manager’s frame of mind into fast-forward mode, thinking now only of the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign throughout 2019.
The home draw with Denmark was deemed the start of a rebuilding process as his side looked strong and solid at the back, keeping a clean sheet, though lacking an attacking edge.
The next layer of blocks were put down early in tonight’s encounter as O’Neill, true to his word, put out an attacking team and the promised front-foot football followed.
The back three pushed out. The wing-backs took up residence in the Welsh half and suddenly it looked like Ireland had stepped into the modern era of the beautiful game.
The ball was retained, players were moving, demanding passes; passages of neat play, possession up and down either flank and through the middle.
Granted, Wales were missing players and were in the process of blooding youngsters, yet Ireland were causing Ryan Giggs’ side all sorts of problems, forcing them back and closing down space.
"You have got to give credit to Ireland," said Giggs after the game.
"I thought they were really good in the first half, making it difficult for us, closing the gaps, compact."
A half-time reshuffle evened up matters early in the second half as both sides enjoyed some good passages of play.
Yet just as in Cardiff, it was Irish mistakes that led to the only goal of the game.
First Arter, going to ground and then attempting to pull out of the tackle, but his momentum resulted in a Welsh free kick just outside the box.
Then Randolph. Second-guessing the free taker as Harry Wilson curled the ball into the half of the goal he was meant to be guarding.
"I'm naturally disappointed," said O’Neill, speaking at the post-match press conference.
"We put a big effort in. We certainly weren't short of endeavour and we started off the game very brightly.
"We should have been a goal in front. We closed them down very quickly. Cyrus played very well for us again tonight and maybe should have scored."
Despite the endeavours and obvious improvement in performance, it was another result going against the Ireland manager.
And following a poor Nations League campaign in terms of points on the board, O’Neill admitted that he fully expected people to ask questions.
"That wouldn’t be unusual," said O’Neill, while also admitting that he is his own biggest critic, revealing that he has questioned himself throughout his entire professional career.
"Do you know what? I am not so sure that I have ever not asked questions about myself. I think I do," added the manager.
"In terms of questioning myself as a professional, both as a player and as a manager, I’ve always done it. Genuinely always done it.
"I take responsibility for every kick that is made on that field by us. That is my job. That will not change. And I do question everything that happens on the field.
"I look back again to see what we may have been able to do a little bit better and hopefully that improvement continues."
The performance against Wales showed that Ireland are able to compete with a strong European side by playing an inventive and innovative style.
And O’Neill believes that his rebuilding process will have been advanced as a result of tonight’s display, while also admitting that his side still lacks a bit of quality.
"It was a very strong last 25 minutes when we were a goal behind but overall, positive things to take out of the game and delighted with the endeavour we showed.
"Endeavour alone is not enough obviously. We lacked a little bit of quality, but the players gave it absolutely everything tonight."
And so the rebuilding process continues and while the manager believes that this was another vital step on the road towards qualifying for Euro 2020, the quest for a goalscorer also continues.
"I thought we got on the front foot. We had attacking players on the field.
"Of course the one major thing here, it's a problem trying to score a goal, but we'll have to carve out more chances in games eventually to get that elusive goal."
The manager still believes that his squad has the quality to get to Euro 2020 despite the fact that they are now almost certain to be in Pool 3 for the upcoming qualifying draw, and he was impressed with the impetus that Sean Maguire brought to the side after coming on for the final 30 minutes.
"I genuinely do," said O’Neill when asked whether he thought he had the quality to get to Euro 2020.
"I think some of the younger lads here, these are big matches for them to have played in, big games.
"They will go back to their clubs now and some of them will play, hopefully and try to take it on board and try to improve their game at club level and be ready again.
"We miss a natural goalscorer in the side. Although, I must admit with young Maguire coming on, he gave us plenty of impetus and that is very encouraging, considering he has only played 25 minutes of club football in the last three and a half months.
"I think these things will help players immensely."
