Collins: We’ve been hurt by shock defeat to Armenia

FOOTBALL: Skipper Nathan Collins admitted the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying defeat in Armenia felt like “a massive cut to the stomach”.

- 

Ireland were humbled at the Republican Stadium in Yerevan on Tuesday evening when they went down 2-1 to a side ranked 45 places below them by FIFA, a result which leaves their Group F qualification hopes in dire jeopardy just two games into the campaign.

For the second time in four days, Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men conceded twice before rallying, but where they had fought back to snatch a 2-2 home draw with Hungary on Saturday, there was no saving face this time around.

Collins said: “It’s just a lot of disappointment, frustration, anger. I'm one to try to contain my emotions, but it’s just so frustrating.