THAT SAVE WAS TOUGH TO STOMACH

Collins stunned by Maignan's stop

- MICHAEL SCULLY

A REPEAT viewing of how he was denied a priceless equaliser against France only made things worse for Nathan Collins after Ireland's opening Euro 2024 qualifier.

Having had time to digest Mike Maignan's 90th minute wonder save from his header, Collins was still distraught as he left the Aviva Stadium after the 1-0 defeat to one of the world's top sides.

"I've seen it back and it's even worse than I thought, admitted the big defender of the save that his colleague Jayson Molumby later described as a "worldie".

Collins despaired: "I thought I'd done everything. I got as high as I could, I got power behind it, but it's an unbelievable save.

"We know set-pieces are a big threat and we all go our different ways and we caused problems. I got a header on it but it was a fantastic save.

"That's the difference at the top level, it's so frustrating. Heartbroken for the lads as well.

"There's a lot of frustration [in the dressing-room]. Lads are down, down and hurt. We put so much into that. The coaches are hurting, tactically think we got it spot on, it was so frustrating. But dust ourselves down and go again in three months' time.