Any hopes Ireland had of advancing in this year's Davis Cup were dashed with a doubles defeat to Hungary at Dublin's Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club this afternoon.
David Mullins and Eoin Collins were beaten by Gergely Kisgyorgy and Kornel Bardoczky as Hungary eventually advanced as 3-2 winners, which renders tomorrow's two singles matches immaterial.
Ireland put up a spirited challenge by winning the first set 6-4 before losing the next two sets 6-1 and 7-5.
Collins and Mullins regrouped and took the fourth set with ease (6-1) but the visitors won the decisive set 6-4 to advance.