Brian Kerr did all he could, selected his strongest side with the best tactics he could, but not even the manager could prevent the defensive disorder which led to the opening goal.

Failing to deal with the problem on the edge of the 18-yard box, Ireland suffered when Hakan Yakin managed to round the helpless Shay Given to stifle all plans built meticulously by Kerr.

From then on the Irish always looked down without a notion to do much about it, the final ball was lacking as the front pairing of Keane and Connolly were force fed scraps.

Indeed, the Swiss did not look a complete team by any means, but they certainly deserved the victory wrapped up without question when Frei netted from close range on the hour mark.

Ireland lacked the passion and the commitment traditionally shown by legendary Irish teams, for whatever reason the urgency never looked there, the game passing the team by completely.

Colin Healy had a shot drift wide after 10 minutes and Breen wasted a free header from a corner in the midpoint of the first half. In an away game, it might be argued that such chances are priceless and simply cannot be squandered.

But the Irish goal was still under threat with O`Shea nervous at the back, gifting Chapuisat a chance minutes after the Swiss opener, while Given did well to deny to cut out a Yakin ball headed for Frei.

The Irish looked much less clinical going forward though, Connolly heading over a fine Duff cross and Duff again finding Keane in the area, but the angle proving to get the better of the Tottenham striker.

Into the second half and the story still did not alter, Ireland’s woodwork being struck by Wicky, with Given struggling to get near the flight of the ball.

Yakin, still struggling with the injury that almost ruled him out of the game, departed from the fray as Morrison coming on for Connolly, who disappointed much like so many of his team mates.

Just after Matt Holland came close with a shot, the Swiss sealed their route to the finals in Portugal with the second goal.

Chapuisat’s header proved too hot for Given to hold, and Frei wasted no time in despatching the ball into an unguarded section of the next, as the party was started in Basel.

Finnan did his best to peer into the microscope at the light from the end of the tunnel, but to no avail.

The final whistle blew and the Swiss celebrated a well-deserved qualification, for they may not be the most able team on paper in the group, but as a team the Swiss have been the best and no one can begrudge them of their glory.

Brian Kerr certainly didn’t take anything away from Switzerland, though stating the obvious in saying that losing the first two key qualifying games made for an extremely uphill task.

Looking to the future, Kerr admitted the coming months will be the time to blend in a number of promising youngsters on the fringes of the squad and from the under 21s.

Mark Kinsella most probably made his last appearance in an Ireland shirt on Saturday, after years of good service, which is appreciated by all Ireland fans.

But Kerr must be ruthless, weeding out the poorer players who simply cannot masquerade as international quality for any longer. It is not my duty to name names, but there are certainly some members whose time is up.

Sean Thornton, Andy Reid and Thomas Butler are just a few players that are now ready to make the step up and impose themselves on the squad in time for the next qualifying campaign.

The Ireland manager is as qualified as anyone to find the true ability of these youngsters and mould them into top quality international stars.

As there will be no green party in Portugal next summer, much to the disappointment of the loyal fans who made their way to Switzerland in good numbers.

But the faith must be kept, and we must all look forward to a new era in Irish football under the guidance of Brian Kerr.

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