U21'S Drawing with mins to go

France Under-21 1 Republic of Ireland Under-21 0

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 team saw their hopes of qualifying for the European Championships dealt a hammer blow by a 1-0 defeat in France.

Manager Don Givens' side now face an uphill battle to reach the play-offs after France right-back Stephen Drouin headed home the only goal of the game in the 84th minute.

It was tough on Ireland following a stout rearguard action, in particular during a torrid second half at the Stade de l'Aube in Troyes.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Don Givens made three changes to his side for the latest European Championship qualifier against France.

After a crushing 4-2 defeat in Switzerland a month ago, ending the Republic's 13-match unbeaten run, Givens dropped Kevin Doyle and Liam Kearney to the bench, although was sadly without all-time leading scorer at this level in Stephen Elliott due to an ankle knock.

It led to Givens recalling Manchester City's Willo Flood, Jay Tabb of Brentford and Daryl Murphy of Waterford United.

Among the notable French names for the game at the Stade de l'Aube were Liverpool's Florent Sinama-Pongolle, while Arsenal's Gael Clichy was on the bench.

This was a game Ireland could not afford to lose after their defeat to the Swiss, and following the opening 45 minutes Givens' side were rarely troubled.

France controlled the game in terms of possession, but the Irish back four, who had been tormented by Switzerland, looked solid on this occasion.

The home side had the opening opportunity in the ninth minute when a deep free-kick from Franck Ribery was flicked on by Sebastien Grax, however the ball went wide with goalkeeper Wayne Henderson in control.

Ireland should have taken a 28th-minute lead when Darren Potter flicked in Stephen Capper down the left.

But left in a one-on-one situation, France goalkeeper Jeremy Gavanon was quickly off his line to block at the Scarborough defender's feet.

The Republic continued to maintain their shape following that opportunity, however it was France who came closest to breaking the deadlock a minute before the break.

Sinama-Pongolle was played in by Jeremy Berthod, before cutting inside Capper and leaving himself with just Henderson to beat.

But despite aiming an 18-yard left-foot curler towards the bottom right corner, Notts County goalkeeper Henderson pulled off a superb full-stretch save low to his right.

The first 10 minutes of the second half proved almost more entertaining than the entire opening 45 minutes, with both sides enjoying chances to get on the score sheet.

In the 50th minute City winger Flood provided a low cross into the heart of the six-yard box, but Jeremy Toulalan was on hand to provide a timely clearance.

Three minutes later Ribery tried his luck, but he was just off target, and then a minute later Popper had a 20-yard left-footer shot which went just wide.

The chances continued and in the 56th minute Grax should have done better, having been played through by Emerse Fae after Glen Whelan had been dispossessed.

But from 12 yards he could only drive his left-footed shot into the side-netting.

Within a minute Ireland countered through the lively Flood, whose first chance was blocked at close range by Gavanon, and then from the follow-up he also slipped an acutely-angled shot into the side netting.

After Paddy McCarthy became the first player booked in the 57th minute, Jeremy Toulalan then drove into the grateful arms of Henderson on the hour.

France continued to apply the pressure with Stephen Drouin next to fire in a shot which just cleared the bar.

Ribery then thundered in a drive with such power and swerve in the 70th minute that Henderson only just managed to keep it out, despite being directly behind the ball.

Six minutes later, France were given a glorious opportunity to open the scoring when Ireland captain Stephen Kelly brought down Grax inside the area, but from the spot-kick Sinama-Pongolle struck his right-footed shot wide.

It was a let-off for the visitors, but just eight minutes later they finally conceded when Drouin headed home a Sinama-Pongolle free-kick from the right after Aiden McGeady had brought down Grax.

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