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THERE was progress but not the progress we wanted to see. 
Ireland will be on the door when the Euro 2020 party gets underway in the Aviva Stadium but will not be allowed in as qualification hopes were ended cruelly on penalties in Slovakia. 

Matt Doherty steps up but his effort slams against the crossbar!The Republic of Ireland’s dreams of reaching next summer’s European Championship finals are over!pic.twitter.com/jSwOhQm7DN
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) October 8, 2020

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Ireland crashed out to Slovakia on penalties

A 4-2 loss in the shootout means that Slovakia will now go on to face Northern Ireland in the play-off final for a place in the final, with the winners based out of Dublin.
But it was a night when Ireland could and perhaps should have won. 
Marek Rodak’s goal led a charmed life at times, the woodwork was hit and Stephen Kenny’s men produced plenty of good football. 
But this game was never a barometer of the progress made under Kenny, the only progress that matter was getting into the play-off final. 

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Alan Browne missed his spot kick
And when it went down to a shootout, Slovakia were perfect with their four and Conor Hourihane and Robbie Brady were successful with Ireland’s first two. 
But Alan Browne’s effort was saved and Matt Doherty’s one cannoned off the crossbar that ended the tie. Slovakia go on and Ireland go out. 
It will be raw for a while, and worse next summer. But boss Kenny needs to pick up his team quickly and build on it.
Had Browne beaten Rodak with a good chance on 70 minutes, or Hourihane’s effort not been cleared off the line after 86 minutes, the game could have been over. 

If Browne’s instinctive flick from a Callum O’Dowda in extra time went in instead of coming back off the post, the shootout could have been avoided. 
Of course, Slovakia had opportunities too and will bemoan one Darren Randolph wonder save from Ondrej Duda and Shane Duffy’s goal line clearance from Lukas Haraslin.
But, on balance, Ireland were the better team over two hours of football and lost it on the spot kicks at the end. 
Kenny’s team put disjointed preparations behind them as a member of the FAI’s travelling party had tested positive for Covid-19 having tested negative before the team travelled.

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Conor Hourihane missed a golden chance
Kenny did not say before kick-off did it impact on his team. But Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah went from being named among the substitutes to not being in the squad. 
James McClean instead started on the left as the Ireland gaffer acknowledged it was a last minute decision as he joined Callum Robinson and David McGoldrick in a new-look attack.
That front three all made contributions. 
Robinson had a shot blocked by Denis Vavro inside the opening 40 seconds when he won possession on the edge of the Slovakia area. 
Later he and Jeff Hendrick combined on the right with his dangerous looking cross scrambled away for a corner with McGoldrick loitering behind him. 
The Sheffield United man was busy. He drifted wide and deep that confused the Slovakia back line while he had an early header off target from a McClean cross. 
But it was McClean who had the best opportunity of the first half on 37 minutes. 
Ireland had a long spell of possession before Doherty fired in a deep cross from the right that picked out Hourihane beyond  the far post. 

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Ireland will now cruelly miss out with the tournament held in Dublin
He cleverly laid the ball inside though McClean seemed surprised to receive it as he snapped at his shot that was going wide when it struck Martin Valjent.
Ireland were well on top, even if there were few sights of goal as they played on the front foot. 
The sight of left back Enda Stevens popping on the right wing or centre half John Egan bursting forward highlighted it.  
Slovakia goalkeeper Rodak was also struggling with his distribution as Ireland cut off avenues forward. 
Yet, when the home side did keep the ball, they were able to threaten as they threatened down both flanks. 
Stevens and Duffy were required to close the door when Duda almost squeezed through onto a Patrik Hrosovsky pass on 38 minutes. 
And he twice went close on the stroke of half time. 
The first occasion required a top drawer Randolph save to keep it out as Duda cut in from the left and had a shot that was destined for the bottom corner. 
And, with the final action of the half, his overhead kick from Peter Pekarik flew wide though the Ireland defence had questions about how a short corner trick nearly caught them out. 
Slovakia also started the second half brightly as they passed the ball around Ireland, but rarely through them. 

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Jan Gregus scored a chipped penalty
Duffy and Doherty made big interceptions while Egan continually stepped out to snuff out trouble. 
But Ireland were also beginning to fade with a tired Hendrick pass setting Slovakia off in attack that resulted in Albert Rusnak firing well over. 
Browne and Brady were introduced in place of the injured McCarthy and McClean to freshen things up. 
Yet as the game ticked into the final minutes of normal time, Ireland’s only opportunity of the second half was when Hamsik almost headed a Hourihane free kick into his own net. 
It looked like a game that could be decided by one chance – and Ireland missed two in the final 20 minutes. 
On 70 minutes, Ireland flew up the field with Stevens driving forward before picking out the unmarked Browne running in front the right whose shot was turned away by Rodak. 
And there was an even better one with four minutes to go when McGoldrick, Robinson and Browne combined in the area to set up Hourihane. 
He was six-yards from goal and Rodak was absent. But his shot was blocked by Juraj Kucka and denied Ireland a goal that would almost certainly have won the tie. 
Still, that evened out Ireland’s only goal line escape on 73 minutes when Duffy cleared from Lukas Haraslin after his shot had beaten Randolph. 
It meant extra-time was needed and it continued to ebb and flow. 
McGoldrick stung Rodak’s palms straight after the restart while Browne had a header hacked away in the six-yard box. 

Browne then had another great chance when he hit the post with an instinctive shot from a Callum O’Dowda cut back. 
Slovakia substitute Haraslin fizzed a volley just over Randolph’s crossbar while Brady saw a free kick fly inches wide. 
But penalties were needed. Slovakia were clinical, Ireland were not. The memories of this one will linger, especially when the Euros kick off in Dublin next June.  More

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TYSON FURY has revealed coronavirus restrictions put paid to him meeting Donald Trump and THE POPE.
As well as seeing a potential December homecoming fight hit the buffers, it seems the Gypsy King missed out on meeting some seriously big names outside the ring.

Tyson Fury has revealed coronavirus has cost him the chance to meet a couple of VERY famous peopleCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Donald Trump wanted to meet the Gypsy King but that had to be postponedCredit: AFP or licensors

Fury is believed to be in negotiations for an undisputed clash against Anthony Joshua next year.
But with the UK plunged into harsh new Covid-19 restrictions, the chances of it happening abroad are even higher.
Fury will be hoping he would be permitted to travel for that having missed out on meeting two other big hitters.
Speaking to this month’s Big Issue magazine, the 32-year-old said: “I was supposed to go and meet Donald Trump for lunch. But that got cancelled because of Covid.

“And I was supposed to meet the Pope, but that had to be rescheduled too.
“It’s quite a crazy feeling, to be honest, that these people will want to meet me. So I’ll take advantage of it.
“And, you know, maybe I could learn something from these people, even if I’m around them for 30 seconds. See how they are, how they act. Never stop learning.”
Fury also opened up on his mental health battles to the magazine, and told those who sell the publication to ‘stay positive and stay focused on the short-term goal’.

Fury had even planned a chat with the head of the Catholic ChurchCredit: AFP or licensors

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed the all-British heavyweight showdown between Fury and Joshua has been verbally agreed.
The blockbuster bout is likely to take place between next May or June after a breakthrough in negotiations.
Matchroom boss Hearn admitted that ‘minor issues’ need to be resolved before an official date is confirmed.
It is set to be one of the biggest British showdowns ever as the two giants to head-to-head to determine who will be crowned undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
AJ FIGHT ‘VERBALLY AGREED’
The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger wrote on social media: “Eddie Hearn says Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua is verbally agreed to and contracts are being drafted for the heavyweight championship fight in May/June. 
“Hearn says only ‘minor issues to resolve’ such as who walks last, the site, etc. This fight is going to happen next.”
It is likely to be a two-fight deal worth a staggering £500million while the destination could be in the Middle East.

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FANS drinking in the pub over the weekend will be banned from singing ‘Football’s Coming Home’ and ‘God Save the Queen’.Downing Street has set rules that prohibit customers from singing, especially loudly, because it’s considered a transmission risk.
Fans are banned from singing and standing in the pubCredit: Alamy
The current rules mean that any music in a pub should be played at a low, almost background level, to prevent any shouting, singing or dancing occurring over the top of it.
The government’s guidance covers any hospitality venue for that matter, so it’s not just pubs, and includes restaurants, bars and similar places serving food or drink as well.
Owners and staff at venues will have to adhere to the rules and make sure punters are obeying them too, especially if they are showing the Euro 2020 games this weekend where spirits will likely be running high.
It means fans won’t be able to sing the usual chants that would normally be part of the roaring atmosphere found at the pub during a big football match.
New pub rules from May 17THE latest easing of restrictions came into place on May 17, but there are still rules to follow until the complete easing is due to happen on June 21. These are:

The rule of six inside
Party up to 30 allowed outside
Only table service allowed
Contactless ordering where available
Relaxed limits on max number of customers
Staff must wear masks and gloves
Customers must each check in with the NHS app
Social distancing to be adhered to

Legal expert Graeme Cushion, a specialist in pub licensing, said: “I suspect our patriotism – particularly if England is doing well in the tournament – may get the better of us.”
There are also rules that mean standing and singing are a definite no-no too, as pubs and other venues must continue table service at the current time.
Mr Cushion, a partner at top London law firm Poppleston Allen, said: “Businesses showing games may ask you to sit down and not stand up to sing.
“And if indoors, as soon as you do stand up, you should wear a face mask, which is going to make singing somewhat more awkward.”
The British beer and pub association surveyed 1,000 pub-goers and 85% of supporters have said restrictions will ruin watching the Euros down at the local.
It means there is more pressure on PM Boris Johnson to push ahead with “Freedom Day” on June 21 where restrictions, especially on how hospitality operates, will be lifted and things are set to go back to “normal”.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “More and more people are getting the vaccine each day.
“It’s time for the restrictions on our freedoms to be replaced by the protection of the vaccination and for businesses and life to get back to normal.”
But it comes as Covid cases have more than doubled in one week despite the massive vaccination rollout attempts.

Mr Johnson has said he may adopt a “mix-and-match approach” to lifting the restrictions on the expected dat though.
But there will be a lift on the 30-person limit on weddings even if the June 21 easing of lockdown is delayed, it’s been reported.
In the meantime, Greene King is giving away FREE pints this weekend – so check out how you can get your hands on one.
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