Improved Ireland are left to rue "missed opportunity" | Gary Breen

Ireland's qualifying campaign for the 2020 European Championships ended in extremely disappointing fashion as Stephen Kenny's side crashed out on penalties at the expense of Slovakia.

Despite being impressed with many aspects of Ireland's performance in Bratislava, Gary Breen believes that the players will view this as a missed opportunity when evaluating the night.

Breen joined Adrian Barry and Eoin Sheahan on Friday's OTBAM to analyse the Irish performance in the Slovakian capital.

"[It's] really one of regret more than anything, that is a crushing emotion. I know losing a penalty shoot-out, of course, that is the overriding memory but more so in terms of the chances we created that we did not take," the former Ireland centre-half said.

8 October 2020; Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny consoles Alan Browne, right, following defeat in the penalty-shootout of the UEFA EURO2020 Qualifying Play-Off Semi-Final match between Slovakia and Republic of Ireland at Tehelné pole in Bratislava, Slovakia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

"Also the fact that Slovakia, I did not think were a great team. I thought we were the better team comfortably throughout that game. I'm watching this as an away performance thinking we're going to get this, we're going to get the goal and I did not see that they were ever really going to threaten us."

"I felt the set up of our team was good. I thought that Stephen Kenny has obviously had a long-time to formulate the plan in his mind but very little time to coach it."

There were clear indications that the players had taken in Kenny's ideas over the past week and the performance was much improved from the games against Bulgaria and Finland in September.

Against Slovakia, Breen highlighted the control that the Irish midfield were able to establish, while battling against a real quality player in Marek Hamsik, as a major positive from the game.

8 October 2020; Matt Doherty of Republic of Ireland reacts after missing his penalty, as Slovakia players celebrate, following defeat in the penalty-shootout of the UEFA EURO2020 Qualifying Play-Off Semi-Final match between Slovakia and Republic of Ireland at Tehelné pole in Bratislava, Slovakia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The players also showed far more composure on the ball than what people have been accustomed to from Irish sides throughout the years, with spells of intricate passing on display.

Substitute Alan Browne and Conor Hourihane both had chances to seal the tie after good passing exchanges between Irish players and had they taken them it may have been a completely different story.

There will be a lingering disappointment amongst the squad, according to Breen, despite being complimentary of the performance. He reiterated the need to stagger expectations in the early months of Kenny's reign.

"As good as we played, I genuinely think it was a missed opportunity," he said.

"I am mindful, and I keep repeating this, that this is a work in progress. This was never going to go from where we were to where we hope to get in such a short space of time. The only crushing emotion of regret is what we have lost there, an opportunity to play in a major finals at home."

"That is a unique experience, people talk about once in a lifetime, it is probably never ever going to come around again."

8 October 2020; Republic of Ireland players, including Shane Duffy, fourth from right, consoles Alan Browne, 7, after he missed his penalty in the penalty-shootout of the UEFA EURO2020 Qualifying Play-Off Semi-Final match between Slovakia and Republic of Ireland at Tehelné pole in Bratislava, Slovakia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Having arguably deserved to go through, it goes without saying that the manner of defeat will hurt this Ireland side but they have little time to dwell on the result.

With ties coming up against Wales and Finland in the Nations League, Breen hopes that Ireland will show similar improvements in the near future and use this as a springboard for success.

“Good mornings start with Gillette” The mornings are a moment of reflection, a moment to prepare to feel your best for the day ahead. Starting your day with a shave gives you the confidence to feel at your best for the day ahead, no matter what is in store.

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.