Henry handball 'forgotten', O'Neill plots France's Euro 2016 downfall

Versailles (France) (AFP) – Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill wants his players to target glory rather than revenge when they face hosts France in a Euro 2016 last 16 clash on Sunday.

Ireland were denied a place in the 2010 World Cup when Arsenal legend Thierry Henry controlled the ball with his hand to tee up a William Gallas equaliser that sent France to South Africa from a playoff in 2009.

“I think we have decided to forget about it – that’s something coming from Ireland. It will be a talking point obviously, but I don’t think it will concern us when we play the game.”

Ireland sealed their place in the knockout stage in dramatic fashion thanks to Robbie Brady’s late header to beat Italy 1-0 in Lille.

And O’Neill is now aiming to repeat the feat he achieved as a Northern Ireland player in dumping hosts Spain out of the 1982 World Cup.

“When I think about it there are definite similarities. We went on a journey in 1982 that brought us up against the host nation, who we had to beat to get through to the quarter-finals, and that was an immense moment for us and one that I will never forget.

“There are similarities between that and now facing France on Sunday.

“It’s a game that we will look forward to – we must look forward to the game, but not just look forward to it, actually believe that you can compete and win the game.

“We have to think that because the performance last night will give us an enormous boost of confidence and we need to carry that through.”

On top of home advantage for the Lyon clash, France have also had three days more rest ahead of the match on Sunday.

O’Neill’s men did not get to bed until about 5.30am on Thursday after travelling back to their base in Versailles outside Paris, and having played on a Lille pitch UEFA admitted had suffered “irreversible damage.” 

“It does seem a disproportionate amount of time that one team has to recover from another. That might become very important,” said O’Neill.

“I understand that, as the host nation, you should get some favours,” he added.

“If the competition was in Ireland, I would do exactly the same myself. Teams that play Ireland would play every single night and we wouldn’t have to play for a year.”