McCarthy consoles Quinn after Sunday's game.

By Neil Silver, PA Sport, Suwon

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Niall Quinn announced his retirement from international football and said he was looking forward to watching Ireland's young guns make their mark on the game following the 3-2 defeat on penalties to Spain.

The 35-year-old Sunderland striker bowed out after the heart-breaking penalty shoot-out defeat against Spain - as did skipper Steve Staunton after winning his 102nd cap - having been a star for Ireland during this World Cup, both on and off the pitch.

Off the pitch, he did everything he could to try and resolve the Roy Keane saga, only narrowly failing at the last minute.

On it, he came off the bench against Germany, Saudi Arabia and again last night and helped swing each of those games Ireland's way.

After 91 caps and 21 goals, Quinn brought down the curtain on his international career and then predicted a bright future for the team he was leaving behind.

"The players have to look at what they've done and be proud," said Quinn.

"As for me, I am just looking forward to wrapping myself in the tricolour and going to games with my family. I'm going to enjoy watching this team over the next few years.

"They've got a great six to eight years ahead of them. This team has a great future ahead.

"This whole World Cup experience is invaluable for what lies ahead.

"Incredible highs and incredible lows, and that's what experience is all about.

"People miss penalties, that happens in football and it's okay. But they know themselves that they can bounce back. It's going to be a wonderful team and they have a wonderful time ahead.

"They have some great players and the days of Ireland being happy just qualifying for a competition are over - we will be a presence now.

"There are exciting times ahead for this team and I'm looking forward to cheering them on."

Quinn paid a special tribute to midfielder Matt Holland and winger Kevin Kilbane, who both missed penalties in the shoot-out.

He also praised Robbie Keane, who scored twice from the spot on the night, and Damien Duff.

"I said to Matt Holland what a legend he has become back in Ireland over the last couple of weeks," said Quinn.

"He's had the disappointment of relegation with Ipswich this season, but he's had a wonderful World Cup.

"I said to him that he's now a world-class player so he shouldn't feel bad about himself.

"Kevin Kilbane as well, he was magnificent. He showed great courage to come forward and take that penalty. He's got to say to himself he's got 35 caps and he can get another 35 caps.

"Robbie Keane will go back to Leeds full of confidence. Maybe David O'Leary didn't play him as much as he would have liked, but I think he's going to have a great season next year.

"He's got three goals at the World Cup - four if you count the penalty - and that will do him the world of good.

"Damien Duff, it will be great to tell my grandchildren that I played with him. What a wonderful player he is."

Ireland's World Cup adventure finally ended as it began - surrounded in high drama.

Few people gave them much of a chance last night against a team who won their group with a 100record.

But Mick McCarthy's men proved to be just the better team on the night, before losing in the heart-breaking lottery of a penalty shoot-out.

That was after they recovered from the setback of losing an early goal and then seeing Ian Harte miss a penalty, before Leeds striker Keane forced extra-time by firing home a spot-kick in the final minute of normal time, to cancel out a fine goal by Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes in the eighth minute.

Keane and Steve Finnan both scored in the shoot-out which followed, while Matt Holland hit the bar and David Connolly and Kilbane saw their efforts saved by Spanish hero Iker Casillas.

It was then left to Lazio star Gaizka Mendieta to slide home the decisive penalty and send Spain into the last eight, while Ireland will head back home to Dublin.

When Ireland sit back and reflect on this game, they will see how close they came to pulling off one of the greatest results in the nation's history.

But they failed to take advantage of the fact Spain played the whole of extra-time with 10 men, after David Albeda went off injured and all three substitutions had been used.

Spain were fortunate to get away with their victory and claim a place in the quarter-finals against either Italy or joint hosts Korea.

They sat back after taking the lead, and coach Jose Antonio Camacho also gambled by taking off both Morientes and Raul when he thought the game was won.

When the tie eventually went to penalties it became a massive test of nerve.

Keane scored first and Hierro equalised. Holland missed and Baraja scored.

David Connolly missed and so did Juanfran. Kilbane's effort was saved and Valeron hit the post.

Steve Finnan scored to make it 2-2 but Mendieta kept his nerve and stroked home the winner.

The players can hold their heads high when they arrive back home in Dublin tomorrow afternoon.

They came a long way and did their best, with players like Keane, Duff, Holland and Shay Given standing out on the world stage.

No doubt there will be an inquest into the whole campaign once the dust has settled, but whatever the rights and wrongs of the story, Ireland did themselves proud even without that man Roy Keane.