A SHOCK TO THE CISTERN

While Ireland's fortunes are in the toilet right now, Shane Long's goal to sink world champions Germany ranks as one of our finest-ever moments

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It's telling to make a comparison with the other prominent national side, the rugby team then coached by Joe Schmidt.

That week was also one where Ireland were preparing for a Rugby World Cup clash with France, one they would end up winning 24-9 in Cardiff.

Schmidt had pulled out all the stops to get his men primed for what he intended to be the tournament of their lives.

Before their first game, Usain Bolt called to the Irish base and broke bread with the players.

On the Wednesday night in Celtic Manor before they played France, Schmidt played his killer hand - a full house of five Irish sporting icons, AP McCoy, Sonia O'Sullivan, Barry McGuigan, Henry Shefflin and Niall Quinn spoke to his squad.

It all added to the impression of unity, of everyone being behind the rugby team.

But something happened to the connection between the Irish sporting public and the national soccer team from Saipan onwards.