Martin O'Neill reflect on the round of 16 game that saw France produce two quick-fire second half goals to eliminate Republic of Ireland from the tournament on Sunday (26th June).

SOUNDBITE: (English) Martin O'Neill, Republic of Ireland manager

"No, I don't think there's any good time to go out of the competition. We were playing a very fine side in France, who are possibly the tournament favourites, today and we really had a go, not only a go, we had them under severe pressure in the game. We took the lead and at half-time we are...not only well in the game, but we're actually feeling that we can win the match. So, I think when I analyse both the qualification and the group that we were put into, then I think the team has done fantastically well, hence my disappointment in not going through today.

France were very, very strong in the second half, very good players. Substitute has come on - he only plays for Bayern Munich - and they are very fine players. We put heart and soul into the game as has become almost prerequisite for us, but more importantly that that, the way we played in the tournament, and some of the younger players, as I've mentioned here, have come of age, so it's up to them now to carry it further.