The Irish team would have sought a replay over financial gain following the infamous Thierry Henry handball in 2009, according to captain John O’Shea.

The Sunderland defender told reporters today that the team was aware of the substantial publicity currently surrounding the FAI.

“You just have to get on with it” he told reporters this morning at a press conference ahead of Ireland’s friendly against England on Sunday in the Aviva stadium.

“The FAI have made everything as public as possible and have dealt with it as quickly as possible so we move on a concentrate on the games that we have coming up because they are very important for ourselves, the country and the fans.

“That’s what we’re focusing on.”

In response to the news that the football governing body in Ireland accepted what many people are dubbing as “hush money”, he explained financial compensation was not what the team would have sought.

“If you’re talking about what the players would have been looking for from that point of view: ultimately it was done and dusted, the game was over but if there was going to be anything it would have been a replay.

“It wouldn’t have been a case of monetary benefits from that point of view.”

Ireland are gearing up for their clash with England as well as a crunch Euro 2016 qualifier against closest rivals Scotland.