THE dream is over for the Republic of Ireland and two of Derry’s home grown players
It was a great start with a goal by Derry’s Shane Duffy after just seven minutes giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.
But that delight soon turned to despair as Denmark turned the screw in both halves and ran out 5-1 winners.
Christian Eriksen bagged a hat trick at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in front of a packed crowd.
Duffy’s early strike was cancelled out by Cyrus Christie scored an own goal.
Then Eriksen scored a fabulous goal, with help of the inside of the bar, to make it 2-1.
Derry’s James McClean had a penalty shout after he tumbled in the box but the referee waved play on.
And on 64 minutes, the Irish defenders backed off Pione Sisto as he got forward before passing to Eriksen on the edge of the area and the Tottenham player slid n effortless strike into the top corner.
Ten minutes later and there was a howler from Stephen Ward.
He fluffed his first touch as he attempted to deal with a ball into the box.
Ward was off balance and by the time he recovered Erisken was in on it in a flash to thunder a rocket of a shot into the net for his hat trick.
The Danes rounded of the win with a fifth goal when Nicklas Bendtner is fouled in the box and he scores his own penalty.
A disappointing night for the Irish lads, particularly for Duffy and McClean, who had given so much hope of reaching the World Cup finals in Russia next summer.
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