No time to dwell on defeat as Dutch need to be mastered

Picking positives from such a difficult defeat is not an easy task for Stephen Kenny, following the 2-0 defeat to France at the Parc des Princes.

But the Ireland manager has no other option other than drawing a big line in the sand and focusing firmly on Sunday night for what could be a campaign-defining, or campaign-ending encounter.

For the Netherlands are coming to Dublin for a vital Group B contest, and Ronald Koeman's side are arriving full of confidence following a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Greece.

Ireland, on the other hand, had the stuffing knocked out of them as they were thoroughly beaten in what was a draining defeat to a world class France side, who looked back to their very best following that stuttering performance in Dublin, where they just edged Ireland.

But on this occasion, they were primed from the opening minute with Kylian Mbappe virtually unplayable in the early stages, eventually setting up the first goal of the game, as Aurelien Tchouameni’s stylish effort put the home side in front with just 19 minutes on the clock.

In truth, it could have been more by the time the two sides traipsed off at half-time but with just one goal in it, Kenny’s side could have come out with confidence in the second half.

If the first goal was a shot from outside the box, Ireland’s other Achilles’ Heel appears to be their penchant for conceding just after the break, and substitute Marcus Thuram kept that continuity as he helped the ball home from close range just three minutes after the break.

From there, France were in cruise control and they never let up as they maintained their attacking intent all the way to the end of the six additional minutes at the end of the 90.

And that is where the manager will begin rebuilding