Ireland lost to France after extra time last night 2-1 on aggregate in their sudden death World Cup qualification playoff at the Stade de France in Paris, but will have every right to feel cheated as French striker Thierry Henry blatantly handballed in the build up to William Gallas’s decisive extra-time goal which earnt France a 1-1 draw on the night.

Barcelona striker Henry, clearly handled the ball to stop it going out of play and then passed it across goal for Gallas to head home in the 104th minute. Ireland had taken an early lead through Robbie Keane’s strike after 33 minutes.

Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne said: “Henry admitted afterwards he handled it, but it doesn’t make me feel any better. We were cheated.”

Henry added: “I will be honest it was a handball but I’m not the referee.”
“You can clearly see the opportunity. Sebastien Squillaci went to jump for the ball with two Irish players and I’m behind him. The next thing I know the ball hit my hand, my arm even. It was right in front of me, I played it. The ref allowed it and that’s a question you should ask him.”

Irish captain Robbie Keane told BBC Radio 5 live: “Henry nearly caught it, so it’s a bit of a killer. When you see the reaction of the players, Shay especially, he’s two yards away from it and you don’t get a reaction like that if he’s not sure it’s a handball.”

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni said it was sickening to go out of the World Cup in such a manner: “We are angry. It is a bitter evening for me, I would prefer to have gone out on penalties.I spoke to the referee and I told him he may have made a great mistake.”

In the great scheme of things it’s not quite a Maradona ‘Hand of God’ goal, but I guess there will be some sore heads and unhappy people in Ireland today.
Perhaps Monsieur Henri might want to review his book signing schedule to make sure that Dublin isnt on the list!