Cullen not dwelling on French error ahead of Paris trip

Josh Cullen's resilience was tested somewhat in the aftermath of Republic of Ireland's 1-0 home loss to France last March.

A rousing all-round performance, a disciplined defensive display, a lung-bursting showing from Chiedozie Ogbene, all came to naught after Cullen's fatal decision to play a lateral pass to Jason Knight.

As most will recall, Benjamin Pavard intercepted the pass and without a second's hesitation, lashed a vicious shot past Gavin Bazunu into the net, off the underside of the crossbar.

It was a mis-step for the 2021 FAI Player of the Year award winner, who had established himself as one of the most reliable and consistent performers in the Stephen Kenny era.

"Of course it hurts," says Cullen, reflecting on the evening. "You're disappointed with yourself in that moment.

"Because we care so much it hurts for a few days and it’s something you have to get over.

"You have to have that resilience in the way you play. Obviously you only have one chance to make that split second decision and not every decision you make on a football pitch is going to be right when you’re playing against the quality of opposition of the level of France, you’re going to get punished.

"As a player I try to set myself high standards and always analyse my game. A moment like that doesn't need too much analysing. You made a mistake and for a few days after it, you take it on the chin and move on from it."

Cullen, who was an ever present in Vincent Kompany's Burnley side as they cruised back to the Premier League, has learned to park such disappointments quickly enough.

"That's all you can do. Certainly on the pitch after you make a mistake you cannot dwell on it. It can get away from you very quickly if you do that and one mistake can become a