"The Irish played well, the lad scored a good goal and took it well from a difficult angle.
"In that first period we were just not good enough.
"We improved after the break but it was still difficult to see where the goals would come from.
"There was no fight where it mattered, we just didn't create enough to worry them.
"We were pushed back, we conceded to ball too easily and apart from one Craig Bellamy effort when he was through, we just did not produce. We cannot complain about the result."
He added: "From my point of view I know I have to work harder to get across what I want from the players.
"And as far as qualification is concerned, that looks over for us now."