Deutsche in IRLAND | from Liechtenstein to Cork Limerick Drogheda

For the Italian, the result is usually everything – the performance almost superfluous, but it would have taken a cold heart not to warm to the efforts of an inexperienced and hastily assembled side against truly world class opposition.

“I am 50 per cent happy, 50 per cent not happy,” said the manager at Dublin Airport this morning, leaving the glass neither half full nor half empty. “I am used in my life to winning, so when I lose I'm not happy.”