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The night had begun with an anthem to stir the soul.

With ten minutes remaining, it was heard again. Only this time, it felt one more of resignation, of acceptance that this time wasn’t our time. That next summer, Wales won’t be at the World Cup.

They kept going, both fans and players, but the game that most said would be settled by one goal was settled by one goal.

James McClean – all antagonistic and unrelenting energy, summing up Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland – had done the damage with the visitor’s first meaningful shot on goal. But it meant something alright, the 57th minute effort rifling past Wayne Hennessey and shooting down those dreams Wales had not been afraid of.

The dreams are Ireland’s now, results elsewhere meaning the win secured their place in the play-offs at Wales’ expense.

(Image: Propaganda)

And it will jar those from the Red Wall who will watch them there. They know they are not a better side, that they won’t light up Russia if they make it there as Wales had done in France.

But, ultimately, they bettered Wales here by claiming the one goal, pouncing on their one opening and stealing that one last shot at finals glory.

The only defeat of the campaign – the only time they had been behind even – was the one that mattered most, that hurt most. As the final whistle blew, perhaps the Irish couldn’t have believed their luck.

Strangely, as chants of Wales drowned out even the delirious scenes in the away end – for a period anyway - it suggested there wasn’t the same agony as suffered in these final day heartbreaks before. As in France, there were no tears, perhaps a nod to that Wales had given what they could.

Of course, there will be ‘what ifs’; there will always be when knife-edge matches strike daggers into hearts.

(Image: Propaganda)

And there is every chance Wales fans will talk about the moment the outstanding Joe Allen was seemingly cynically taken out by two Irish players, forcing him off the field with concussion and leaving Wales not quite the same without their midfield conductor.

And as Aaron Ramsey – desperate to try and find a way back for his side – overhit a central free-kick just when Wales were facing their final few minutes to save their dreams, you would dare anyone not to think what Gareth Bale might have done in that situation had been on the pitch rather than in the stands.

Cue the anthem, cue the acknowledgement that this was not down to lack of heart or even talent. It was just football. Ireland’s may not be pretty to watch, but their fans will enjoy taking the next steps Wales could not here and it is not for anyone to begrudge that.

Attention will turn to Wales’ future now. Specifically manager Chris Coleman who’s contract runs out at the end of this campaign. There is talk of a friendly next month but beyond that, having previously suggested he would be ready to call it a day when the World Cup dreams ended, this may be the end of his time.

It will be of his choosing if it is and it could be that he still wants another crack at things as it escaped the side here.

Because he knows there is another generation coming through to add to this golden one and that while this is the end of the World Cup 2018 dreams, it is not the end of dreams altogether.

It’s why, though it hurt, it did not feel like Scotland, like Romania when it felt like it would never happen.

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The fans knew there had been no hard-luck story, the connection obvious from the off as the a cappella anthem rung out.

As the dragons’ breath billowed from the awe-inspiring music, so the players responded.

Fire in the heart, ice in the veins, Wales started with all the cold-blooded composure they had promised. Coleman had intrigued the Irish with repeated talk of game-plan, but in truth there was no secret.

Here was the Wales we have come to recognise, prepared to keep the ball and work the openings, using the experience and energy of the full-backs.

But here there was extra zip, fuelled by the unprecedented noise that did not speak of nerves but of unerring belief.

(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)

The decibels didn’t drop an iota as the Red Wall watched Allen and Ramsey conjure the type of midfield magic they had done in France, memories of that night in Toulouse coming to mind as the movement caught the eye and Ireland unaware.

Chances were not obvious, but questions were being asked of an apprehensive visiting defence who were unable to cope with the speed of play and the willingness of Wales to switch play at will.

A stinging effort from Ramsey was tipped over as the surge from the stands flowed through the players while the difference in mental state was summed up when the Arsenal playmaker sparked one attack with a thread-of-the-needle pass to Chris Gunter which a trembling Stephen Ward horribly sliced behind into touch.

Yet, as Ireland niggled and bit at Welsh legs to try and stem the tide – at one stage including 82% red-shirted possession – Wales did not make more of set-piece delivery. The one hold your breath moment from such a situation came seven minutes from the break when the ball found its way to the back post, only to arrive on Ben Davies’ right foot. His left may have done better than shoot waywardly over the bar.

By then, though, Wales had been slowed in their progress thanks to the Irish sandwich that left Allen visibly shaken and sluggish. McClean’s deliberate nudge into the back of the Stoke midfielder and David Meyler’s follow through left Wales without one of their two key creators.

Ireland had attempted to make the most of it, trying to antagonise and attack when the chips were down. Wayne Hennessey stood tall at the pot shots that came his way while, though it wasn’t always pretty and always nervy when Ireland swung in set-pieces, they scrambled danger away.

(Image: Propaganda)

Still, it encouraged Martin O’Neill’s side. Less route one, more patient on the ball, more of a test for Wales as they sought to hold off frustration.

It seemed they had. Indeed, had Darren Randolph not managed to throw himself in the air he would not have met Hal Robson-Kanu’s glancing header eight minutes after the interval that looked as though it would break the deadlock.

But then the killer. Williams was charged down by Jeff Hendrick, the ball hugging the touchline and not sufficiently chased by Ben Davies. When Williams could not stop the cross, the back-pedalling hosts could not stop McClean hammering home. A player you don’t want to face, a player who took the one chance.

Wales rallied but needed the composure they showed early on as they rushed to respond amid raucous celebrations from the away end.

It couldn’t quite come. They kept trying but, as scores flashed in from elsewhere, it only prompted Ireland to do what they do best. Ugly it may be, but here it was effective and perfectly legitimate.

Ramsey tried but his snatched shot on 71 minutes started to see those doubts eat away with the clock.

Cue the anthem, one that knew this wasn’t Wales’ time, but acknowledged that the dreams had not died wondering.