Luck of the Irish?

What luck?

The furor continues over French star Thierry Henry's admitted hand ball, which led to the goal that knocked Ireland out of World Cup contention Wednesday. Henry guided the ball with his left hand to keep it in play, and then passed to William Gallas, who headed in the tying goal. France advanced to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and Ireland will have to live with the injustice.

Henry himself admitted the ``fairest solution'' would be a rematch, which Ireland requested, but FIFA said no. Shame on them.

But props to Henry for confessing what he did and for issuing a heartfelt apology. It is too bad that such a gifted player will go down in history with a Hand of God II stain.

``Naturally, I feel embarrassed at the way that we won and feel extremely sorry for the Irish who definitely deserve to be in South Africa,'' Henry said in a statement. ``I have said at the time and I will say again that yes I handled the ball. I am not a cheat and never have been. It was an instinctive reaction to a ball that was coming extremely fast in a crowded penalty area.''

``As a footballer, you do not have the luxury of the television to slow the pace of the ball down 100 times to be able to make a conscious decision. People are viewing a slow motion version of what happened and not what I or any other footballer faces in the game. If people look at it in full speed you will see that it was an instinctive reaction.

``It is impossible to be anything other than that. I have never denied that the ball was controlled with my hand. I told the Irish players, the referee and the media this after the game. I have never denied that the ball was controlled with my hand. There is little more I can do apart from admit that the ball had contact with my hand leading up to our equalizing goal and I feel very sorry for the Irish.''

So do I.

Perhaps it's time for instant replay in soccer, not for all questionable calls, but for moments like this, when so much is at stake. Can't imagine how those Irish players will feel next summer, and surely, any French victories won't taste quite as sweet, either.

-- MICHELLE KAUFMAN