CRISTIANO RONALDO showed no mercy to old pal John O’Shea as Portugal outclassed Ireland.
Ronaldo scored twice as Ireland’s defensive frailties cost them dearly in what was O’Shea’s last game as interim boss.
He must now wait to see if the FAI wish to employ him on a permanent basis after one win, a draw and two defeats in his four matches in charge.
And O’Shea was frustrated by his side’s failure to give a better account of themselves.
O’Shea said: “When you give a team the quality of Portugal the goals that we did, it’s very frustrating.
“We’ve reflected on it quickly with the players and you can’t concede from a set-piece like that.
“You want the players to understand how important it is for this country to get back qualifying for tournaments.
“I’ve said to the players in there that, with the players that are missing this evening as well, that there’s more to come, they have to give more.
“They’ve shown it in glimpses and you have to give more to get to major tournaments, in terms of that dedication and sacrifice, on their fitness and as you mention their strength too”.
O’Shea said he was in dialogue with FAI director of football Marc Canham and board member Packie Bonner, who is also involved in the recruitment process.
He said: “I’ve been constantly speaking to them but it’s been about the games, as simple as that, and obviously then it’s a case of let’s see what happens over the next few days.
Asked if he would accept a role as assistant manager, he said: “We’ll dust ourselves down, we’ll see what happens.”
Keeper Caoimhín Kelleher insisted the squad wanted him to get the top job. He said: “Of course, I can speak on behalf of all the players that we all absolutely love him.
“We’ve had a great camp this week, he’s been excellent, we were trying our hearts out for him, we want to get good results for him and for the team.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t do that here, but throughout the whole camp he’s been brilliant and I can’t say enough good things about him.”
But he admitted the team’s performance left a lot to be desired.
He said: “It was a tough game for all of us. In fairness to Portugal they played well, but we can play a lot better than that definitely.
“The first half was tight and then I think the second half, it just ran away from us.
“We said coming out that we need to start well. Like you say, the early goal probably killed us and that takes the sting out of the game for us unfortunately.
“The second half, we should be disappointed with ourselves. It wasn’t the standard we set for ourselves. It has to be a lot better.
“I think we all know the quality Ronaldo has. You can’t give him the time and space like that because he’ll punish you. He’s world class. We’re disappointed with ourselves.”