Poland 2-1 Republic of Ireland: Play-offs beckon for Irish 
The Republic of Ireland fell one goal short of automatic qualification for Euro 2016 as they lost to Poland and will now have to enter the play-offs.Grzegorz Krychowiak had given the home side an early lead with a fine strike but Jon Walters quickly equalised with a controversially awarded penalty.In-form Robert Lewandowski powerfully headed in what proved to be the deciding goal late in the first half.Republic of Ireland skipper John O'Shea was sent off late in the match.
O'Shea picked up a second yellow card for a foul just before the game entered stoppage time.
A win or draw of 2-2 or higher in Warsaw would have put the Irish through instead.
The Republic will learn their play-off opponents when the draw is made on 18 October.The Irish reached Euro 2012 via the play-offs, Giovanni Trapattoni's side beating Estonia 5-1 over two legs.
Controversial penalty incident Less than two minutes after falling behind to Krychowiak's 20-yard strike, the Republic got a lifeline in the shape of a fortunate penalty award.
Michal Pazdan was deemed guilty of a high boot on Shane Long and the officials decided the foul had happened just inside the penalty box.
It was a close call, but replays showed the actual impact with the Southampton striker's head had taken place just outside.
The Polish protests didn't distract Jonathan Walters who dispatched a confident penalty for 1-1.
Lewandowski equals Healy's record Lewandowski, restored Poland's lead in the 42nd minute with a powerful and accurately placed header from close to the penalty spot.
That put the Bayern Munich front man on 13 goals for the qualifying campaign, equalling David Healy's record.
Healy scored 13 goals in the qualifying matches for Euro 2008, although they were not enough to earn Northern Ireland a place in the finals.
Lewandowski's tally included both Polish goals in Thursday's 2-2 draw away to Scotland.
The head in hands moment Trailing 2-1, the Republic knew an equalising goal would be just enough to see them pip the Poles to an automatic place in the finals.
They looked poised to snatch that goal as the game entered its final 10 minutes.
But Poland keeper Lukasz Fabianski made a save right on the line after Richard Keogh failed to get a firm enough header on Aiden McGeady's cross.
Irish manager Martin O'Neill, jumping up on the touchline in excitement, was left with his head in his hands in frustration and disappointment.
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (6) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)
Poland
22 Fabianski
20 Piszczek
15 Glik Booked
21 Pazdan
14 Wawrzyniak
10 Linetty
08 Krychowiak
07 Olkowski (Blaszczykowski - 63' )
05 Maczynski (Szukala - 78' )
11 Grosicki (Peszko - 85' Booked )
09 Lewandowski
Substitutes
01 Szczesny
02 Cionek
03 Jedrzejczyk
04 Szukala
12 Boruc
13 Kapustka
16 Blaszczykowski
17 Peszko
18 Mila
19 Sobiech
23 Borysiuk
Republic of Ireland
23 Randolph
02 Coleman
05 Keogh
04 O'Shea Dismissed after an earlier booking
19 Brady
08 McCarthy
06 Whelan Booked (McGeady - 58' )
14 Walters Booked
21 Hendrick
11 McClean (Hoolahan - 73' )
09 Long (Keane - 55' )
Substitutes
01 Forde
03 Wilson
07 McGeady
10 Keane
12 Meyler
13 Murphy
15 Christie
16 Elliot
17 McShane
18 Gibson
20 Hoolahan
22 McGoldrick
Ref: Cüneyt Çakir
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33544046
