France V Ireland - second leg.

Another frustrating loss. But this time I couldn't care less.

Due to the horrendous act of cheating displayed by one, Thierry Henry, I couldn't have cared less about losing the money I placed on France to beat Ireland at the Stade de France.

I was going to put bet on France to win the tie itself over the two legs. However, the temptation of alcohol was too much and I ended up spending the money in Leeds. More on that can be seen here.

After finding the result of the first leg at Croke Park, France were going into the second leg 1-0 up on aggregate and would play the second leg at home. There was not a cat in hells chance they were going to lose. Or were they?

In a word, yes. The bet I placed was for France to win the second leg after 90 minutes, £3 at 1/2 from Coral. The score was 1-0 to Ireland, who had played out of their skin and their goal from Robbie Keane was thoroughly deserved. On aggregate the scores were tied 1-1 with both teams having scored an away goal.

Ireland had all the momentum behind them going into the tense and pulsating drama that is extra time. They had the French cheese-eating surrender monkeys on the back foot and were cutting through the defence like scissors does to paper. I'd lost the bet, I couldn't care less now. I wanted Ireland win win the tie. And then it happened.

After 13 minutes of extra time, Thierry Henry became public enemy number one in not just Ireland, but the entire footballing world.

His actions are up there in sporting injustices for 2009. He sits along side David Ngog of Liverpool when he dived to deny Birmingham City of a memorable win. Hell, some people are even comparing him to Diego Maradona.

A ball sent into the box from a free kick was controlled down by Henry, first using his forearm, then by his hand before tapping it towards William Gallas to head the ball into the net.

Its another loss to add to the list, but its one I'm glad to have lost as I'd be a very unpopular man if I were to boast a win in front of an audience of Irish folk.

Picture taken by Nicholas Woodward
Match report can be seen at www.skysports.com