A GUTTED Seamus Coleman told of his disappointment as the Republic of Ireland bowed out of Euro 2016.
Antoine Griezmann scored two goals in three agonising minutes as France, the tournament hosts, won 2-1 in Lyon.
Ireland had gone in front in the second minute when Robbie Brady converted a penalty in the second minute after Shane Long was bundled over by Paul Pogba in the box.
Some heroic Irish defending kept Martin O’Neill’s men in front but the cord unravelled in three agonising minutes around the hour mark.
Griezmann headed the equaliser from Bacary Sagna’s cross and he seized a loose ball three minutes later to fire the watch winner past Irish goalkeeper Darren Randolph.
Ireland’s tale of woe was complete when Shane Duffy was red carded for a foul on Griezmann on 66 minutes.
“We’re disappointed,” said Coleman.
[adrotate group=”37″]“We felt like it was there for us. We gave our all in this tournament.
“We’re so disappointed. That shows how well we’ve done that we’re disappointed at getting beaten like this.”
At the end of the game at the Stade de Lyon, the Irish squad stood for an age in front of the corner of the ground containing the vociferous Green Army.
Coleman said: “Our fans have been unbelievable. We’d have loved to go further for them.
[adrotate group=”46″]“Hopefully we made people proud. We’re just disappointed that we couldn’t see it out.
“Everyone made a big deal of the ticket allocation. We had only a little corner of the ground, but the fans were so positive to us. There is a special bond between the fans and the players.”
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