After 10 games in Group D, two play-off games remain between Ireland and Euro 2016.
A 2-1 defeat to Poland meant that a ‘Super Sunday’ for Irish sport ended up with Ireland gate-crashing Poland’s party.
It's party time in Poland after they qualified for Euro 2016, Robert Lewandowski leading the celebrations. pic.twitter.com/LfSv2nPAan
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 11, 2015
Thursday probably exhausted Ireland but still a baffling midfield. Weird to be at someone else's party.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) October 11, 2015
It could’ve been different too, even after Grzegorz Krychowiak had given the Poles a 13th-minute lead.
After all, Twitter hadn’t even time to react before Ireland were level!
Jonathan Walters scores - 7 of his 8 goals for Rep. Of Ireland have been in competitive games pic.twitter.com/VDJ7oP3MPR
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) October 11, 2015
Walters was key in stopping the World Champions, but Ireland were finding Robert Lewandowski a whole other task.
Robert Lewandowski scores his 13th goal of Euro 2016 qualifying, no player has ever scored more in a campaign. pic.twitter.com/pl7DrHWsBg
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 11, 2015
Lewandowski 15 goals in his last six games. The difference.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) October 11, 2015
Although we could’ve tried marking him!
Awful defending from Ireland. Lads, if you don't want to mark all of their players, fair enough. Might be an idea to mark him, though.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) October 11, 2015
Not everyone impressed with the Polish front-man, particularly Brian Kerr!
Lewandowski dives more often than a Russian submarine #IREvPOL
— Damien Mulley (@damienmulley) October 11, 2015
I swear I sneezed in Wicklow and Lewandowski fell down in Warsaw. #IREvPOL
— Philip Boucher-Hayes (@boucherhayes) October 11, 2015
Rare photo of Lewandowski standing when within 3 ft of an Irishman #POLvIRE pic.twitter.com/OEJ4C6YTxl
— stephen davoren (@bailldogg) October 11, 2015
I bumped into the TV on my way to the jax and #Lewandowski fell over.....#dive #POLvIRE
— Pete the tweet... (@pwalshnow) October 11, 2015
"A great player, but a bit of a whingebag" - Brian Kerr on Lewandowski. The man is a hero
— Richie McCormåck (@RichieMcCormack) October 11, 2015
And Eamon Dunphy was grabbing attention too for his description of Poland’s Pazdan.
Imagine being paid to be a pundit and describe a player as the one with no hair!! ??
— Danny North (@DannyNorth7) October 11, 2015
…As well as his non-stop adoration of Wes Hoolahan.
Eamon Dunphy carries a little picture of Wes Hoolahan around in his wallet. #IRLvPOL
— Colm Tobin (@colmtobin) October 11, 2015
Nothing had changed: all that was needed was one more goal!
Really excited to tweet 'that doesn't change Ireland's task' when Poland go 2-1 up here
— Alan Smith (@alansmith90) October 11, 2015
That doesn't change Ireland's task
— Alan Smith (@alansmith90) October 11, 2015
what a goal by lewandowski. heads it in from 13 yards with incredible force. IN A WAY, THE GOAL CHANGES NOTHING
— Ken Early (@kenearlys) October 11, 2015
Half time. Great atmosphere in #Warsaw. One more goal is all we need. #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/IO3ePbFNz9
— Irish Embassy Warsaw (@IrlEmbWarsaw) October 11, 2015
After the German win the country still believed that Martin O’Neill could inspire his troops to another win.
It's half time and it's 2-1 to Poland! Still plenty of football to be played though! Come on @FAIreland! #IREVPOL pic.twitter.com/hmjmpf700U
— Sportsfile (@sportsfile) October 11, 2015
We wonder what O'Neill will say to his team during the break... http://t.co/Lm5sgVHfVZ #POLIRL #COYBIG #IRLvPOL pic.twitter.com/09XLNVN6cu
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) October 11, 2015
It seemed like the good old trick: wait for Poland to sit back until the injury-time Aiden McGeady/ John O’Shea/ Shane Long equaliser.
Late goals are our thing. We've got this.
— Richie Sadlier (@RichieSadlier) October 11, 2015
This one has last minute John o Shea equaliser written all over it #IREvPOL
— Steven Pierce (@StevenPierce16) October 11, 2015
Or maybe even Robbie Keane!
Robbie Keane to score the crucial goal, run to the bench and pretend suckle Roy Keane's nipple. Heard it here first. #IREvPOL
— Jamie Wall (@Jamwall7) October 11, 2015
But potential heroes only showed fatal flaws.
There was Keogh’s chance…
Keith Earls job by Richard Keogh #butchered
— Daragh Ó Conchúir (@RebelDevil71) October 11, 2015
RICHARD KEOGH ALMOST SAID HELLO,,, #IREvPOL
— Ger McCarthy (@germccarthy74) October 11, 2015
…O’Shea’s red card…
O'Shea sent off, second yellow for a professional foul. Sums up our night. That and McGeady's attempt at a cross
— Cork's RedFM Sport (@BigRedBench) October 11, 2015
…And McGeady’s McGeady-ness…
McGeady. Brilliant, because this game needs more people running around aimlessly and frantically
— John O'Sullivan (@johngosullivan) October 11, 2015
A million people just screamed 'McGeady!!!!!"
— Joe Molloy (@MolloyJoe) October 11, 2015
Then Walters made us all fear for the play-offs:
And there goes Walters suspended for first leg of play offs. Limit the damage lads, don't compound it. Poles win 2-1.
— Tony Leen (@tonyleen) October 11, 2015
To have one player suspended for the play-off is unfortunate, to have two is just careless
— Denis Hurley (@Denis_Hurley) October 11, 2015
Still, a French holiday remains possible…
Wasn't meant to be tonight, got to stay positive for next months play offs #IREvPOL #COYBIG
— Shay Given (@No1shaygiven) October 11, 2015
Believe!