Iceland 3-0 Republic of Ireland (Iceland win 4-1 on aggregate)
By Tony Leighton
Goalkeeper Emma Byrne was unable to prevent Iceland reaching Euro 2009
Republic of Ireland's hopes of reaching Euro 2009 were ended as they lost 3-0 to Iceland in the second leg of their play-off tie.
The Republic secured a credible 1-1 draw in the first leg in Dublin.
But the visitors were soon on the back foot in Reykjavik, falling behind to a 23rd-minute Dora Larusdottir strike.
Margaret Vidarsdottir doubled the lead on the hour and nine minutes later, Larusdottir hit her second goal to clinch a 4-1 aggregate victory.
Republic manager Noel King believed the icy surface at the Laugardalsvollur Stadium made for dangerous playing conditions before kick-off.
"That wasn't football - we needed skates, not boots," said King, who made an official complaint.
"This is not sour grapes and I wish Iceland all the best at the finals, but I lodged our concerns before the match and the people who allowed it to go on should take a serious look at themselves.
"There's no way the game would have gone ahead if it was a men's match. The centre circle was like concrete, the temperature was below zero and it was really, really dangerous for the girls."
The Irish battled pluckily after going behind and had their best spell of the game immediately after the break, but their dreams of a first finals appearance was ended midway through the second half.
"We've been on a great adventure and the girls have done the country proud," added King.
"Our two-year qualifying campaign has been astounding - we've raised the level of the women's game in Ireland and we'll bounce back from this disappointment to carry on raising the levels."
Republic of Ireland: Byrne, Moran, Fahey, Tracy, De Burcha (Hughes 75), McDonnell, Grant, O'Connor (O'Toole 52), O'Brien, O'Gorman, Curtis (Roche 85). Substitutes not used: Bradley, Boyle, Thomas, Quinn.
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