The Republic of Ireland's UEFA Nations League campaign descended into disaster tonight as a severely weakened Welsh side grabbed a 1-0 victory in the Aviva Stadium.
It leaves Ireland's Euro 2020 seeding position in jeopardy as they move towards the third seed bracket. A distinct and familiar lack of attacking aspirations underpinned yet another uninspiring performance. Whatever about a lack of quality, there is a lack of excitement and ambition that is becoming a trend with Martin O'Neill's side.
The FAI announced an attendance of 38,321, who to their credit cheered to the end. Then they booed, as viewers were left disillusioned with the result, and the manner of it.
Well that’s 45 mins of my life I’m never getting back !!!!
— Jason Mcateer (@MCATEER4) October 16, 2018
O'Neill and Keanos match tactics pic.twitter.com/CtF1HzqPXN
— Rajiv (@jiffington) October 16, 2018
At the moment, it looks more likely that Gibraltar will be at Euro 2020 than Ireland. #COYBIG #IRLWAL
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) October 16, 2018
Question for the FAI now isn't whether Martin O'Neill can turn our sorry run around, it's whether anyone wants to see him try.
— Paul Little (@little_football) October 16, 2018
Our young welsh kids doing the nation proud tonight.. showing no fear whatsoever 🏴👍🏻
— John Hartson (@JohnHartson10) October 16, 2018
What a terrible game of football #IREvWAL
— Jackie Cahill 🖐👍 (@cahilljackie) October 16, 2018
This is a shambles. Players don't seem to have any idea what system they are supposed to be playing.
— Mark Gallagher (@bailemg) October 16, 2018
#oneillout is now trending in Irelandhttps://t.co/2pwh8gGDQu pic.twitter.com/NXLzpHjUw3
— Trendsmap Ireland (@TrendsIreland) October 16, 2018
The absence of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey made little difference. Two winnable games end with no goals, one point and little hope.
Once again, tonight encapsulated the grim reality of the current situation. On a night when Welsh youth overcame the senior side, Ireland's U21's Euro qualification campaign ended with a 2-0 defeat against Germany. The silver lining comes with a promising batch of U19s but in the interim the forecast is bleak.
