The Thierry Henry handball that knocked Ireland out of the World Cup was about the only thing being discussed on the Emerald Isle on Thursday. Politicians, comedians and businessmen all lit into the French for their unjust victory and tallied up the cost. For Irish businessmen, qualification for the World Cup would have been an opportunity to lift Irish spirits and their spending. Tara Buckley, who leads a group representing grocers, said: "It would have lifted the gloom and got people spending." Another casualty of the result might be the sale of French products in Ireland. Fans said they would no longer buy French wine or French bread. Some even said they'd stop French kissing.

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