THE Irish dream of a quarter-final place fell apart on a penalty-shoot out, but Ireland's boss Mick McCarthy praised every one of his team.

He said: "I am very proud of my players. We didn't deserve to lose, we deserved to win in normal time. It's sickening.

"They are a wonderful bunch of people, these players. I am sure thrilled to have had the chance to work for them.

"You saw us all together before the penalties. I told them whatever happened there would be no recriminations. We have a had a wonderful World Cup.I have nothing but admiration for those players."