THE press conference room in Geneva was the usual late-night hive of activity. Under unforgiving fluorescent light, sweaty browed journalists typed furiously on their lap-tops, camera crews assembled their endless gear, there were press officers in every corner, security and translators.
On nights like these, with deadlines looming, everybody ages by 10 years.
When Mick McCarthy arrived for his post-match briefing there was a trickle of questions from the floor.
Nobody quite knew what to ask the Ireland manager, for a firm consensus had already been reached long before the final whistle in the Stade de Geneve.
The Swiss were simply miles better. They had the better players, they were more skilful, more athletic and more cohesive. In truth, the 2-0 score-line flattered the Republic.
McCarthy had opted to change formation to match up with the Swiss with a 3-5-2.
His decision made sound theoretical sense. Any coach will tell you that facing a 3-5-2 can be a head wrecker.
You could understand McCarthy wanting to block the flight paths of Stephan Lichtsteiner and Ricardo Rodriguez – even if the nominated wing-backs for the evening, Seamus Coleman and James McClean, looked uneasy in the roles.
After a half hour McCarthy abandoned the 3-5-2 because too many players were found wanting. Nobody truly believed formations was the problem.
The Republic of Ireland are third seeds in Group D for a reason. They are simply not at Switzerland or Denmark’s level.
But back to Mick’s post-match briefing. It was like pulling teeth because nobody had a decent line of enquiry to go down.
Outside in the corridors, away from the glare of the top table and fluorescent lighting, McCarthy spoke to Irish journalists.
Again, it was like pulling teeth.
‘How do you make the team pass the ball better, Mick?’
‘What was Seamus Coleman’s mood after getting red-carded, Mick?’
‘Would you consider calling up Shane Long for the make-or-break Denmark match next month, Mick?’
The fact that Shane Long’s name was mentioned - a 33-year-old journeyman who rarely plays for Southampton and has a fairly grim goal-scoring record for both club and country – tells you exactly where the Republic of Ireland are at right now.
Of course, that is not to say Long shouldn’t be involved in next month's make-or-break Euro 2020 Qualifier next month.
No matter where you look the options aren’t great.
Years of domestic neglect and the explosion in freedom of movement around the world has resulted in fewer Irish players making the grade across the water.
The plus points over the last two games in Tbilisi and Geneva have been Darren Randolph’s imperious displays – a goalkeeper capable of performing at the top end of the English Premiership.
In Shane Duffy and John Egan, the Republic couldn’t have a better, more balanced central defensive partnership while Enda Stevens has the rare ability – at least it’s rare within the Irish squad – of looking comfortable in possession.
On the other flank, serious injury has shaved off a yard of Seamus Coleman's pace.
From the defence upwards, there is very little to be upbeat about.
Given the paltry service Aaron Connolly, no matter how many lost causes he chased down, never stood a chance against three seasoned centre backs in Geneva.
Meanwhile, the last week illustrated that the rigours of international football was a bridge too far for Luton Town’s gallant but limited James Collins.
And to Glenn Whelan – the great divider of opinion – who was one of the few Irish players who played with personality on Tuesday night.
At 35, the tough-as-old-boots Dubliner is not the future, but he is a reminder of how effort and sheer dogged determination still have currency in the modern game.
He was the one source of midfield resistance in Geneva, throwing himself in front of the ball and chasing endlessly between two or three opponents with scant reward at the end of it.
And whatever happened to Jeff Hendrick?
Remember his displays at Euro 2016 and how he commanded the centre of the pitch?
We haven’t seen a performance remotely near the ones in Paris and Lille.
Maybe that was the high point of Hendrick’s career. Maybe we expected too much of him since.
Maybe he’s destined to be in and out of the Burnley team for the next few years scoring the odd goal as a frustrating reminder of what he is actually capable of.
McCarthy has generally played him in an attacking midfield role, his favoured position, and although he has shown glimpses of his ability, that’s all there have been: glimpses.
Conor Hourihane and Callum Robinson have shown something similar but there is a distinct lack of players with personality in the current Irish squad.
Denmark have regressed a little since they mauled the Republic of Ireland two years ago in a World Cup play-off in Dublin, but it’s hard to see them slipping up at the same venue next month.
Gone are the days where you could ‘get amongst’ the opposition and get some joy.
Physically speaking, the Republic come out a distant second to both the Swiss and the Danes.
The sun peaked through the clouds a couple of times during McCarthy’s second stint in charge, but he can’t turn water into wine.
When Shane Duffy getting his head on the end of a corner is your best chance of getting a goal, it’s hard to be optimistic about beating the Danes next month.
Maybe we’ll just have to wait on Stephen Kenny and his U21s coming down the line.
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THIS year’s Antrim senior football championship will be remembered for a long time and will probably be regarded as the best-ever following the enthralling semi-final trilogy between Lamh Dhearg and Portglenone and the two epic contests between Erin’s Own, Cargin and Lamh Dhearg.
Many observers felt Lamh Dhearg had the momentum from their semi-final win to grab a second county championship in three years, but never write off Cargin.
The Toome men pride themselves on being stubborn mules. To win the final replay with key players missing, including the ageless Michael McCann, was an incredible feat.
But Cargin have yet to leave their mark on the Ulster stage.
Last year, they gave too much respect to Gweedore and paid the price. Before that, Killyclogher breezed past them down in Omagh in an opening round game.
In 2015, they gave Crossmaglen a fright in the Athletic Grounds but still came out on the losing end.
This weekend, the Antrim champions have the chance to right some wrongs of the past when they take on Fermanagh champions Derrygonnelly in Corrigan Park.
It’s time Damian Cassidy's players realised their ambitions must lie beyond the winning of county titles. Their talent demands it...
