North End duo’s World Cup dreams are over

The pair saw their hopes of featuring in the tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico die on Thursday night.

Brady was a second-half substitute as the Republic of Ireland were beaten 4-3 on penalties by Czech Republic at the Fortuna Arena in Prague in a play-off semi-final.

Former PNE captain Alan Browne was one of the men to miss from the spot after the Irish had spurned a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 after extra-time.

Earlier, former North End loan ace Troy Parrott had handed Ireland the lead in the 19th minute from the spot and that advantage was doubled four minutes later through Matej Kovar’s own goal.

The deficit was soon reduced for the Czech Republic when Patrik Schick scored a penalty.

But it needed a late equaliser from Ladislav Krejci to force extra time.

Brady scored his spot-kick in the shootout but Ireland lost 4-3.

For head coach Hallgrimsson and his players, who were bidding for a first trip to the finals since 2002, it proved an agonising conclusion to a campaign which had blossomed late in the day.

Asked to sum up his emotions, the Icelander said: “One word, just pain. I feel pain, I feel pride for the performance of the players. They gave it all. I feel gratitude towards the supporters who showed up and supported us the whole game, even after the loss.

“I feel pride being a part of that group, but personally – and I know the players will feel pain now, only pain, I would say.”

McCann, meanwhile, was unable to take part in Northern Ireland’s play-off semi-final through injury and watched his country lose 2-0 to Italy in Bergamo.

Despite the result, Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill could not have been more proud of his players

They were always second favourites against the four-time world champions, who were desperate to avoid failing to reach the finals for a third consecutive time, but acquitted themselves superbly before falling to second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean.

Tonali’s goal – a powerful strike after Isaac Price was unable to clear a cross into the box – changed the mood inside the stadium completely as the tension lifted, and it was always going to be a big ask of Northern Ireland to recover.

“I couldn’t ask any more from the players,” O’Neill said. “Our game plan in the first half is excellent. We gave them very few chances.

"We obviously had to defend corners, which we defended extremely well, and had a good chance from a corner ourselves that we could have done better from…

“Ultimately in the second half we caused our own problems a lot. We had a couple of nervous moments before the goal and we’re just out of shape.

"It’s not a great header (from Price) and then it lands with the wrong man, Tonali, who strikes a great ball.

“Once you’re behind in the game it’s difficult but I thought our attitude throughout the game, our level of performance, was terrific.”