Dominant Croatia sink Republic of Ireland

Republic of Ireland endured a painful reintroduction to life among the elite on Sunday as mistakes costs them dearly in a 3-1 defeat to Croatia in their Euro 2012 Group C opener.

The Republic's first major tournament for a decade and first Euro finals since 1988 may prove a bridge too far as two goals from Mario Mandzukic and one from Nikica Jelavic put their opponents in control of Euro 2012 Group C and left them with a mountain to climb.

Sean St Ledger's header had earlier cancelled out Mandzukic's opener but goalkeeping and defensive errors ultimately proved Ireland's undoing as their 14-match unbeaten run was ended in Poznan.