SHANE Duffy was sent off as Republic of Ireland were knocked out of Euro 2016 after going down to a 2-1 defeat to hosts France in Lyon.

Blackburn Rovers centre-back Duffy, along with the rest of the Ireland side, which included Burnley left-back Stephen Ward, were the better side in the first half and took a lead into the break thanks to a second-minute penalty from Robbie Brady.

But two goals in the space of five second-half minutes from Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann sent France through to the quarter-finals where they will face England or Iceland.

And Ireland’s hopes of getting back into the game were hit when Duffy was shown a straight red card in the 66th minute for bringing down Girezmann when he was clean through on goal.