But scoring seemed to conjure in it a terror and it fell deeper and deeper, inviting Sweden to attack, culminating in an own goal from Ciaran Clark, induced by some effective play-at last-from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and a 1-1 draw at Stade de France.
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Sweden swept into the Ireland penalty area and Ibrahimovic reached the by-line before squaring a cross that Clark headed into his own net, with Sebastian Larsson waiting to convert behind him.
The bonding continues in Paris on Monday morning as Ireland prepare to face Sweden at the Stade de France later this evening.
While he admitted that it was frustrating not to hold on for the win, he saw plenty of positives and he thinks that there is still hope with group matches against Belgium and Italy to go.
Still yet to confirm his next club after leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season – though it is widely reported he will sign for Manchester United – Ibrahimovic was also attempting to become the first player to score at four different European Championships.
The Swede will be a major threat when they play Italy on Friday, and today’s 17:00 game (UK time) against the Irish will gauge his strength.
Ireland midfielder James McClean on the ghosts of 2012: “I went to the last European Championship with Ireland but it was a mixed time for me and for the team”.
Up until then, Ireland had done a fine job of denying Ibrahimovic space, O’Shea, Clark and Glenn Whelan packing tight around him.
The victor of this game will arguably stand a higher chance to secure qualification due to the presence of Belgium and Italy in the group. Brady’s effectiveness in the defensive department was also evident as he closed down on the Swedish attackers on numerous occasions.
That opening came from Robbie Brady’s corner, and the Norwich man fired inches too high after he had cut inside and gone for goal right-footed with 28 minutes played.
The goal was a wake-up call for a somnolent Sweden. Holding off Clark, he hooked a volley just wide from a Martin Olsson cross. “It’s always nice when you get a quote like that from a man of his calibre”, the 29-year-old told EURO2016.com.
John O’Shea, one of five survivors in Martin O’Neill’s squad from the match seven years ago, said: “That little bit of luck that we have not had would come in handy alright”. “There is disappointment in dressing room, but the players shouldn’t be down”.
Coach Erik Hamren was forced into a defensive reshuffle as substitute Erik Johansson came on in central defence and Victor Lindeloef moved out to the right.
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“We’re not happy with the first 50 minutes”.
