IRELAND’S wait for Euro 2020 qualification continues after yet another Danish slip-up.
The Irish are without a competitive win against Denmark for 40 years – a hoodoo that cost them their place at the last major tournament in Russia last summer.
A 5-1 play-offs thumping thanks to a Christian Eriksen hat-trick at the Aviva Stadium two years ago broke World Cup hearts in green.
And it’s the Great Danes once again who have stood in their way – Matt Doherty’s late equaliser to cancel out Martin Braithwaite’s not enough to spark a historic comeback.
And Mick McCarthy must now do what his predecessor Martin O’Neil failed to do and manoeuvre a nervy play-off come March in a bid to join the European roadshow in seven months’ time.
This was a world away from a repeat of their home embarrassment in 2017 – containing and at times outplaying a seasoned and dangerous Denmark outfit.
LOSING SLEEP
And McCarthy will be losing sleep over how his Boys in Green failed to book their Euro finals tickets after running the Vikings ragged.
Despite an impressive qualification campaign under Mick coming into this crunch clash, losing just once and conceding only four goals, Ireland knew only a win would do.
And thanks to Switzerland doing their jobs away to Gibraltar elsewhere in Group D, a scrappy 1-0 win would be enough to seal the deal.
Mick demanded a national hero announce him on the grand stage pre-match, picking out in particular David Mc Goldrick.
But the entire starting XI looked set on writing their names in the history books after a solid defensive display in the opening half an hour.
Ireland’s best chance arguably came in the 34th minute – Conor Hourihane being slipped through one-on-one against Kasper Schmeichel only to fire his shot straight at the Leicester keeper.
Preston midfielder Alan Browne then sent Schmeichel scrambling with a fizzing volley that skimmed the far post.
Ireland continue to dominate and press in numbers, but were undone in the 73rd minute thanks to a stunning Henrik Dalsgaard cross that Braithwaite managed to nudge past Darren Randolph.
Mick’s men were roared back to life by the rocking Aviva, and Doherty sent them potty with five minutes remaining thanks to a thumping back-post header.
They came close with a late onslaught, but a clinical nature avoided them. Their bid to qualify for a third successive tournament for the first time in their history continues.
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