Shane Long

Ireland to face France for first time since infamous Henry hand ball

Published Jun. 25, 2016 6:49 p.m. ET

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The Republic of Ireland could be looking to exorcise some demons in Sunday's knockout round match against France. The last time the Ireland squared off against France in a competitive match, there was a bit of controversy. OK, there was a lot of controversy, as France crushed Ireland's 2010 World Cup hopes when a dubious Thierry Henry handball resulted in the decisive goal.

Irish fans, you might want to look away (unless you're the kind of person that will use this as rage fuel to root on your team, then go ahead):

Henry's handball in extra time that set up William Gallas' equalizer gave France a 2-1 aggregate win after extra time. Henry admitted after the match to handling the ball, but the damage was done. Ireland launched a protest and asked for a replay, but the pleas fell on deaf ears with FIFA.

It's been seven years since Ireland and France last played, which is time enough for the players to have hit the reset button, according to Ireland's Shane Long.

"We were devastated at the time because it cost us a place in the finals. We don't even think about that. Our focus is just on this game," Long said. "When it comes to that Henry handball, it's not even in our minds."

Even if the players have moved past that ignominious evening on Nov. 18, 2009, it's tough to imagine that they, and their fans, wouldn't relish a chance to exact a bit of justice at the Stade de Lyon.

Sure, no match (save for the aforementioned replay that was denied) could fully wash the taste of that contentious defeat out of Ireland's mouths, but ousting France from Euro 2016 in France could possibly serve as a suitable breath mint.

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