By Lyle Jackson
**The Republic of Ireland suffered the most cruel of World Cup exits as France went through with a goal which should have been disallowed for handball.**Thierry Henry clearly handled before playing the ball for William Gallas to score the equaliser which saw France win the play-off 2-1 on aggregate.
The Irish had led from the 33rd minute after Republic skipper Robbie Keane shot past Hugo Lloris from 10 yards.
But Giovanni Trapattoni’s side went out in controversial circumstances.
The debate will rage on about the goal which took France to the 2010 finals in South Africa and how the officials failed to spot such a blatant handball.
After the anger about Fifa’s decision to seed the play-offs, the Irish will feel robbed and unfairly treated when up against a bigger nation.
Republic players protested strongly when referee Martin Hansson gave the goal but the Swedish official was not going to change his mind.
It is hard to imagine more heartbreaking end to Ireland’s attempt to reach the finals after going through their group, which included champions Italy, unbeaten.
France, in the stadium where they won the 1998 World Cup, started the match more confidently.
But they suffered a ninth-minute blow when Julien Escude was forced from the field with a head injury in the ninth minute and was relpaced by his Sevilla team-mate Sebastien Squillaci.
Squillaci had a chance in the 20th minute from Henry’s cross but sent his header over the crossbar.
For the Republic, Kevin Doyle had a chance from a Liam Lawrence cross but failed to make good enough contact with a close-range header under pressure from William Gallas.
But Ireland were getting into the game and were posing some danger.
In the 33rd minute the goal came and it was created and finished by three of Ireland’s experienced stars aiming to play in the World Cup finals for a second time.
Kevin Kilbane played a nice ball through to Duff on the left and he chased to the bye-line to pull it back for Keane.
The Republic’s record goalscorer accurately side-footed beyond the dive of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris from 10 yards for his 41st international goal in 96 appearances.
Suddenly, the Irish dream was on and the French team and supporters were stunned.
Half-time arrived with Irish confidence soaring, and their keeper Shay Given having not had a serious save to make.
They started the second half encouragingly as well and a chance fell the way of Manchester United defender John O’Shea who shot rashly over from a tight angle.
A goal for Giovanni Trapattoni’s side would have left the French needing two to make the finals.
The big chance came in the 61st minute when Duff was put through by Liam Lawrence’s fine pass.
The Fulham winger attempted the place his shot past Lloris but defender Bacary Sanga got a slight deflection on the ball and the home keeper was able to save divnig to his right.
Manchester United’s Darron Gibson replaced the injured Glenn Whelan in the Irish midfield and then O’Shea hobbled off and Paul McShane came on.
As the half wore on, France gained the upper hand with Nicolas Anelka flicking a header wide of the far post.
But then Keane was almost in again only to run out of space after getting past Lloris and the ball went behind for a goal-kick.
France surged forward late in the game, trying to grab the goal which would send them to South Africa without the need for extra-time.
That would have been cruel on the Irish who deservedly remained in terms at the end of the 90 minutes.
French fans were convinced the 1998 winners should have had a penalty in the first period of extra-time when Anekla went through and fell as keeper Given came out.
But, instead of pointing to the spot, the Swedish official ruled the Chelsea forward had not been fouled and gave a goal-kick. It was the sort of decision which often goes the way of the home side.
If Ireland were shade fortunate then, they were on the wrong end of an outrageous verdict minutes later as Gallas scored that controversial goal.
The arguments may rage on, but the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup journey is at an end.
France: Lloris, Sagna, Gallas, Escude, Evra, Lassana Diarra, Alou Diarra, Gourcuff, Anelka, Gignac, Henry.
Subs: Mandanda, Remy, Sissoko, Benzema, Govou, Malouda, Squillaci.
**Republic of Ireland: **Given, O’Shea, St. Ledger, Dunne, Kilbane, Lawrence, Whelan, Andrews, Duff, Doyle, Keane.
Subs: Joe Murphy, McGeady, McShane, Kelly, Gibson, Hunt, Best.
**Referee: **Martin Hansson (Sweden)