Pressure mounts on McCarthy as Ireland lose

Republic of Ireland 1 Switzerland 2

Republic of Ireland 1 Switzerland 2

Mick McCarthy's future as Republic of Ireland boss hangs in the balance tonight after his side crashed to a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in a European Championship qualifier at Lansdowne Road.

Switzerland went ahead seconds before half-time when Hakan Yakin got in behind Matt Holland to lob Shay Given from close range.

Ireland equalised 14 minutes from time when Ludovic Magnin, under strong pressure from Gary Breen, deflected an Ian Harte cross past his own goalkeeper.

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But Ireland lacked the penetration to finish off the Swiss and sat back when they should have been seeking a winner. Substitute Fabio Celestini secured the points for the visitors when he blasted Chapuisat's precise pass past Shay Given three minutes from time.

"I'm disappointed, sick with the result," McCarthy told Sky Sportsafter the game.

"We've had a right go...the lads have given me everything...but they are going to have to bounce back."

"I've put players on to try and win the game and if that's cost us then I'll accept that. I wanted to win the game and I thought we could."

"They (Switzerland) came here and done a job on us by stopping us playing and unfortunately we've given a couple of goals to them."

Ireland put together the sweetest one-touch move of the match after 74 minutes but it just failed to produce a goal.

Healy's tenacity in the tackle forced the ball to Keane, who flicked it wide for Morrison. He laid the ball back into the path of Duff, but his shot was blocked by a fine saving tackle from former Sunderland defender Bernt Haas.

However, luck was with Ireland as they found the equaliser their pressure deserved.

Ian Harte floated a free kick to the back post where Magnin, under pressure from Gary Breen, sliced the ball past his own 'keeper.

Switzerland made a double substitution with four minutes left as Mario Cantaluppi and Fabio Celestini replaced Wicky and Hakan Yakin.

A minute later, Celestini made an overlapping run down the flank and was picked out by Chapuisat. The sub then blasted the ball past Given from just inside the box.

Ireland are now pointless after two qualifying games - they lost 4-2 against Russia last month - and McCarthy is expecting the media criticism to intensify in the coming weeks.

"I'm sure it will," he said, "but such is life."

"It's a results business and we've lost two games so I can understand criticism after losing games. I've a thick skin and a brass neck and I've no intention of going anywhere just yet."