Robbie Keane saw action as a second half substitution, but the LA Galaxy captain could not help the Republic of Ireland find an equalizer they needed to qualify outright for Euro 2016 as they fell 2-1 to Poland.
Robert Lewandowski scored the game-winner in the 41st minute after Polish midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak and Irish midfielderJonathan Walters traded goals in the opening 16 minutes. Keane entered in the 55th minute for the injured Shane Long as the Irish searched for the equalizer that would give them an qualification for Euro 2016.
The Irish had a chance late in the 80th minute when Richard Keogh nodded an Aiden McGeady cross into the hands of Polish goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański. Despite the defeat, Ireland earned a place in the Euro 2016 qualification playoffs in November. They'll have to play the first leg without John O'Shea (red card) and Walters (yellow card accumulation) who are suspended for the opening match in November.
The Republic of Ireland will learn their opponent for November's playoff next Sunday. The rankings of teams for the playoff are based on the UEFA national team coefficient rankings that will be released after the group stages. Euro 2016 is the seventh of the last 11 major tournaments that Ireland has qualified for a playoff. Only twice have the Irish gone through at this stage.
