‘I still believe we've got the nucleus of a decent team’ – Shay Given on Ireland’s World Cup disaster

9 September 2025; Adam Idah and Evan Ferguson, right, of Republic of Ireland after Armenia scored their second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Armenia and Republic of Ireland at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan, Armenia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

After the full-time whistle blew in Yerevan, the RTÉ studio cameras panned to Shay Given back in Donnybrook as the former Ireland goalkeeper attempted to sum up the horror show the nation had just witnessed.

“I’m really lost for words. It was a must-win game, I don’t think anyone foresaw that we’d lose to Armenia. I don’t know what to say, I’m a wee bit in shock to be honest,” said th

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