Ferguson and Devoy experience the cruel side of sport

There was bitter disappointment for Evan Ferguson and Dawson Devoy as they missed out a chance to reach the European u-21 Championships last night.

Both were involved as the Republic of Ireland were defeated by Israel 3-1 on penalties in the second-leg of the qualifying play-off for the championship finals. If the Boys in Green had won it would have been the first time the Republic reached the Euro finals but it was not to be for Jim Crawford's young guns.

Ferguson scored from a header to earn the Republic a 1-1 at Tallaght Stadium last Friday evening in the first-leg but last night in the Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv he started on the bench.

Aaron Connolly went closest to finding the net for the Irish with a curling effort that just sailed over.

Both Ferguson and Devoy did make appearances as substitutes last night but they were unable to help the Republic fashion a goal in normal time or extra-time with defeat the fate for the young Boys in Green in the shootout.

To compound the disappointment for both players they bravely stepped forward to take penalties in the shootout but were unable to find the net.

It was a painful insight into just how cruel sport can be for both players who are still at the foothills of their careers.

Now both young players must put the disappointment behind them, display resilience and continue to work on progressing in the game where receiving knockdowns and setbacks is an occupational hazard.

Republic of Ireland - Maher; O’Connor, Redmond, O’Brien, Cashin (Roughan 90); Smallbone (O’Neill 106), Hodge (Devoy 59), Coventry, Lyons (Wright 84); Connolly (Ferguson 106), Tierney (Azaz 59).