Ireland’s response to France defeat will shape campaign that is about results rather than respectability

Pushing the best team in Europe close is a significant contrast from labouring against Armenia and Latvia

Ireland's Nathan Collins has a header on goal during the Euro 2024 Qualifier against France. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Daniel McDonnell

A night that hinted at green shoots ended once again with a discussion about green shots, another long-range concession sending punters home with that unsettling mix of encouragement and deflation.