"It never ends well, does it?" 2-0 up and then 3-2 up on penalties, Ireland manage to lose the playoff semi-final in Prague as Czechia advance to meet Denmark. Dan McDonnell and Aidan Fitzmaurice join Seán O'Connor in the Fortuna Arena to dissect a match that started with so much hope, another Troy Parrott goal, and yet ended in utter heartbreak and potentially the worst playoff defeat yet.

Source: Irish Independent March 27, 2026 11:21 UTC