Stephen Kenny: It is what it is - we gave it everything and came up short

Stephen Kenny said he expects to see out the Euro 2024 qualification campaign, though acknowledges that the future beyond that is a decision for other people.

The Republic of Ireland manager did add that he hasn't given up hope of availing of a play-off via the Nations League next March, though that's dependent on results in other groups and the situation doesn't appear promising at the current juncture.

The door was effectively shut on Ireland's already slim hopes of qualification with a 2-1 loss at home to Netherlands, with the hosts unable to sustain their blistering opening, which yielded an early goal for Adam Idah from the penalty spot.

Cody Gakpo equalised from a penalty at the other end on the 20th minute mark and Wout Weghorst goal 10 minutes after the restart decided the game.

Asked by RTÉ Sport whether this was the end of Ireland's Euro 2024 chances, a downbeat Kenny replied: "Within the group it is. We just have to see whether we qualify for a play-off in March. That has to be decided over the next couple of months.

"I thought the level of our pressing was exceptional in that first half. We were prepared to go man-to-man against the top seeds. Argentina beat them on penalties at the World Cup in the quarter-finals.

"We were prepared to go man-to-man and we got our reward and we should have capitalised on some counterattacking positions after that goal but we couldn't.

"I was just disappointed with the goal we conceded, very disappointed with that.

"For whatever reason our energy levels, we couldn't quite sustain that in the second half. I don’t want to make excuses but the 90 mins in Paris, where we put in a phenomenal effort, had an impact."

'You do need to get results... We're absolutely gutted we haven't won