Marek Rodák was the hero for the hosts in Bratislava saving from Alan Browne’s spot kick. With Ireland needing to score to make it 4-3 in the shootout Matt Doherty saw his penalty strike the crossbar to send Slovakia through.

It was a cruel result for Stephen Kenny’s side who were full of attacking enterprise and high tempo but were unable to get the goal their display deserved.

With so much riding on the game, the opening 20 minutes was as an edgy affair. Ireland’s patient play kept the hosts penned in their own half for a sustained period but found they found it tough to breakdown the Slovakian defensive line.

The first real clear-cut chance came in the 36th minute. A cross field ball from Doherty fell to Conor Hourihane in the area. The Aston Villa man played it to James McClean to fire towards goal and as it looked to be heading towards Callum Robinson for a tap-in, Martin Valjent got it clear to keep Ireland at bay.

Slovakia had a great chance to take the lead on the stroke of half-time. The hosts counter-attacked from an Ireland corner and while the Irish defence were able to slow the breakaway for a moment, Ondrej Duda curled an effort to the far corner forcing a fine save from Darren Randolph to tip around the post. From the resulting corner Duda found room for an overhead but it was off-target.

Ireland had a huge chance in the 70th minute. Enda Stevens advanced into space and found Browne in the 18-yard-box, he steadied himself and fired off a shot but Rodák was able to match his effort and palm it away.

Slovakia were still looking dangerous and a few minutes later Shane Duffy produced a goal-saving clearance to deny them a lead. Substitute Lukáš Haraslín was left in space in the area, he composed himself and while his shot went beyond Randolph the captain was on the line to clear away.

In the 85th minute there was another glorious chance for Ireland. David McGoldrick weaved his way through the Slovakian defence. He laid it off to Robinson who fed it to Browne who quickly shifted it to Hourihane, just yards out from goal, but the midfielder’s attempt was cleared off the line. It would be the final chance of the 90 minutes.

Towards the end of the first half of extra time, Browne was involved again this time hitting the post. Callum O’Dowda found space on the left and turned it to Browne whose flicked effort bounced off the foot of the upright

The second half of extra time was uneventful but for Robbie Brady’s free-kick striking the side netting and it ultimately came down to penalties.

Hourihane and Brady were successful from the spot for Ireland but the crucial moment came when Rodák saved from Browne.

Ján Greguš scored to leave it to Doherty to keep Ireland in the contest but the Tottenham Hotspur defender saw his penalty come off the crossbar and Slovakia were through.

Speaking after the game Ireland manager Stephen Kenny said: “They really showed great qualities as men.

“They showed a tremendous team ethic. As the game progressed I felt we were in ascendancy and looked like we really wanted to win it.

“We had good chances but couldn’t get the goal to win it. The players gave everything of themselves. The determination to try and get to the final was evident. It’s a cruel way to lose on penalty kicks. I can’t ask more of the players.

“This group of players gave everything for their country.”

Slovakia: Rodák (GK); Pekarík, Vavro (Gyömber, 112), Valjent, Mazáň; Kucka (Greguš, 85), Hrošovský, Hamšík (C); Rusnák (Mak, 85) Duda (Boženík, 107), Mihalík (Haraslín, 73).
Unused substitutes: Kuciak (GK), Greif (GK), Boženík, Schranz, Pauschek, Bero, Koscelník.

Republic of Ireland: Randolph; Doherty, Duffy, Egan, Stevens; Hendrick, McCarthy (Browne, 60), Hourihane; Robinson (O’Dowda, 100), McGoldrick (Long, 112), McClean (Brady, 60).
Unused substitutes: Travers (GK), Kelleher (GK), Williams, Christie, Byrne, Molumby.

Referee: Clément Turpin (FRA)

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1. Darren Fay (Meath) – Fay had a remarkable career with the Royal county. He made his debut in 1996 and retired in 2008. He won 2 All-Ireland titles, 3 Leinster titles, 1 National League and 3-all-star awards. The Trim man simply has to go down as one of the toughest defenders that played the game.

2. Francie Bellew (Armagh) – Bellew played for the Orchard county from 2002 to 2009 making over 40 appearances. In that time he won 5 Ulster titles, 1 All-Ireland title, 1 National League and 1 all-star. With Crossmaglen he won 13 County titles, 7 Ulster titles and 5 All-Ireland titles. He will go down as one of the best to play the game.

3. Neil McGee (Donegal) – McGee has been a remarkable and still is for club and county. The Gaoth Dobhair club man has made over 170 appearances since 2005 with Donegal. He has gone on to win 5 Ulster titles, 1 All-Ireland, 1 National League and 3 all-star awards. His all-star awards came in 2011, 2012 and 2014. A tough man marker and any day you would away with a few scores would be seen as a good one.

4. Paddy Christie (Dublin) – Christie played with Dublin from 1995 to 2007. In that time the Ballymun club man won 3 Leinster titles and 1-all star. That all-star award came in 2002. A no nonsense defender that always gave 100% to the Sky Blue jersey of Dulin

5. Barry Owens (Fermanagh) – Probably doesn’t get the recognition he deserves so we simply have to put on the list. He was certainly one of the best full backs around but called it a day in 2014. He made his debut in 2001 for the Ernersiders and would claim all-star awards in 2004 and 2006.

That completes my top 5 full backs in Gaelic football 2000-2020 list. Be sure to keep an eye for a few more over the next couple of days !

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