Ireland's Sean St. Ledger (left) and Damien Duff react after their loss to France in their World Cup qualifying playoff match at the Stade de France near Paris Nov. 18, 2009. (Benoit Tessier/Reuters)

Outraged Ireland demands a replay

A French hand ball puts Ireland out of the World Cup.

By Conor O'Clery - GlobalPost
Published: November 19, 2009 11:53 ET

DUBLIN, Ireland ― Ireland just can’t catch a break these days. The economy is in the tank, the weather is atrocious and now the country has been robbed — by a Frenchman.

The Irish soccer team was denied a place in next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa by a blatant hand ball in a knockout match against France on Wednesday evening in Paris. The Irish soccer...

Recent on Ireland:

Ireland reconsiders how it honors WWI veterans

Conor O'Clery - Ireland - November 13, 2009 18:18 ET

Until recently, Ireland had not commemorated its dead who fought in the British army.

Outrage packs a Dublin concert hall

Conor O'Clery - Ireland - November 6, 2009 15:56 ET

The audience was ready to cheer Ireland's "Four Angry Men."

Outrage packs a Dublin concert hall

Conor O'Clery - Ireland - November 6, 2009 15:56 ET

The audience was ready to cheer Ireland's "Four Angry Men."

Irish pols protest proposed drunk-driving limits

Conor O'Clery - Ireland - October 31, 2009 08:44 ET

The proposed 0.05 percent BAC would only cover one pint of Guinness.

The Abbey Theatre's big move

Conor O'Clery - Ireland - October 22, 2009 13:21 ET

A new government proposal would move the storied theater to the historic General Post Office.

How to raise Irish taxpayers' tempers

Conor O'Clery - Ireland - October 16, 2009 14:54 ET

John O'Donoghue, who expensed first class travel, limousines and hat rental, has resigned.

Full Frame: Roots on an Irish farm

Charlie Mahoney - Full Frame - October 15, 2009 14:42 ET

A photographer travels back to the Irish farm where his grandfather was born.

It ain't over till Vaclav Klaus sings

Teri Schultz - European Union - October 9, 2009 19:34 ET

The Irish have given their all-important "aye" to the Lisbon Treaty, but another obstacle exists: the anti-EU Czech president.

Ireland approves Lisbon Treaty second time around

Conor O'Clery - Ireland - October 3, 2009 08:22 ET

Fearful for the future, voters opt not to antagonize European allies.

Can the Irish save Ireland?

Conor O'Clery - Ireland - September 28, 2009 11:41 ET

Ireland turns to its diaspora for help overcoming economic disaster.

G20 Pittsburgh: They meet again

Michael Goldfarb - Worldview - September 22, 2009 06:13 ET

Opinion: The world does not hold its breath.

Ireland's Lisbon vote looms — again

Conor O'Clery - Ireland - September 15, 2009 18:14 ET

Declan Ganley is back in the fray and Irish voters worry about making enemies during a recession.

Ireland's new art gallery: the highway

Conor O'Clery - Ireland - September 7, 2009 16:12 ET

Ann Lane photographs roadside sculptures that adorn Ireland's new highway system.

Ireland's new art gallery: the highway

Conor O'Clery - Ireland - September 7, 2009 16:12 ET

Ann Lane photographs roadside sculptures that adorn Ireland's new highway system.

Ireland's new favorite son? Muhammad Ali

Conor O'Clery - Ireland - September 2, 2009 14:49 ET

The former world heavyweight champion visits the Irish town where his great-grandfather was born.

Need a haircut? Sorry, everyone is 'en vacances'

Teri Schultz - European Union - August 28, 2009 07:21 ET

All employees in the EU get at least 20 vacation days. Why don't Americans get the same?

Kennedy's death: Ireland mourns a "true friend"

Conor O'Clery - Ireland - August 26, 2009 20:17 ET

Edward Kennedy’s role in peace process helped change Irish history.

"Rip-off Ireland" gets cheaper

Conor O'Clery - Ireland - August 24, 2009 08:02 ET

But a shortage of cash means people waiting for payments can't take advantage of it.

Animal dung reveals secrets of the past

Conor O'Clery - Ireland - August 13, 2009 08:37 ET

Farmers, not glaciers, created the Burren moonscape.

Global Blogs:

Support for Big Apple Irish

Catherine Halloran - Ireland - November 19, 2009 07:25 ET

One is the most powerful woman in New York and whose name is being spoken about in terms of the presidency in the future.The other is one of the most powerful men in Ireland whose name is also being spoken about in terms of another big job in the future.And yesterday, the two...

The end of the road

The Limerick Blogger - Ireland - November 19, 2009 07:05 ET

As Ireland saw their world cup dreams shattered last night in Paris, the crisis surrounding Justin McCarthy and his selection team deepened last night. 4 more high profile names have withdrawn from the Limerick Senior Hurling squad leaving next years Limerick panel looking very...

Off to Paris for the weekend

Phil O'Kane - Ireland - November 18, 2009 18:17 ET

At 16.40pm tomorrow afternoon I will be on an aeroplane heading to Paris. My first time outside Ireland in 2 years (but not first time on a plane in that time)! The reason for my visit is for Paris Photo, the international annual photography festival. I’m making the trip...

Payment for Incomplete Journeys

Irish Taxi - Ireland - November 16, 2009 18:46 ET

I picked up a fare on Saturday evening on Mount Street, turned out he had been in the Taxi that was now parked up outside Holles Street Hospital……. but it had broken down. The passenger, who seemed knowledgeable enough on the topic, diagnosed the fault as a broken...

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