SOON they will be talking about the luck of the English. While two of England's goals in their fantastic win over Denmark had a touch of good fortune about them, Ireland's legendary luck deserted them.

Their spirited and skilful performance against Spain should have seen them into the quarter finals. But fate, and a penalty kicking display that made the English look like sharpshooters, decided otherwise.

It was the biggest disappointment of what otherwise continues to be a fantastic World Cup. But it did not spoil a good-humoured sporting weekend in York.

Updated: 10:15 Monday, June 17, 2002