Umbro’s predecessor, Adidas, took over from O’Neill’s back in the mid-1980s. They were lucky enough to manufacture several classic strips for the Boys in Green during the golden age under Jack Charlton that featured three major tournaments — Euro ’88, Italia ’90 and USA ’94.
However, there would be consecutive play-off disappointments between 1995-2000 and the FAI’s new partners would have to wait until 2002 to taste qualification success.
Those early Umbro offerings followed the trends of the ’90s, meaning jerseys were loose-fitting, experimental and often featured loud graphics. They tended to stick to tradition with green shirts for home and white for away but, in 1997, launched the infamous orange and black strip.
By the time the World Cup finals in South Korea & Japan came around, there had been a change in direction towards simpler, more classic designs and they have tended to play it pretty safe over the past 15 years.
A number of black/grey kits were produced intermittently, and — much to the annoyance of fans — Opel, Eircom and 3 have all occupied the front of replica shirts as the main sponsor.
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Now, with New Balance set to make its debut for the qualifier with Georgia on 2 September, we take a look back at some of our favourites from Umbro:
1994 (home)
John Aldridge celebrates scoring against Latvia. Inpho / James Meehan
Inpho / James Meehan / James Meehan
1997 (goalkeeper)
Shay Given after a win away to Lithuania.
2002 (home)
Steve Staunton captaining Ireland at the 2002 World Cup. INPHO
INPHO
2002 (away)
Robbie Keane and Carles Puyol during Ireland's World Cup match with Spain. INPHO
INPHO
2007 (away)
Andy Reid playing Wales at the Millennium Stadium. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
2010 (home)
Damien Duff facing Brazil in a friendly. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
2011 (home)
Glenn Whelan during Euro 2012. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
2011 (away)
Richard Dunne before Ireland's meeting with Italy in Poland. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
2013 (away)
Seamus Coleman in a World Cup qualifier against Austria. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
2014 (home)
Aiden McGeady after scoring against Georgia in Tbilisi. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
As Ireland's 23-year association with Umbro ends, we pick our 10 favourite jerseys
SINCE 1994, UMBRO has been the sports brand synonymous with Ireland’s international football teams.
But that is set to change as it was recently confirmed that New Balance will provide the gear from September, and yesterday’s World Cup qualifier with Austria was the current kit’s final appearance at senior level.
Umbro’s predecessor, Adidas, took over from O’Neill’s back in the mid-1980s. They were lucky enough to manufacture several classic strips for the Boys in Green during the golden age under Jack Charlton that featured three major tournaments — Euro ’88, Italia ’90 and USA ’94.
However, there would be consecutive play-off disappointments between 1995-2000 and the FAI’s new partners would have to wait until 2002 to taste qualification success.
Those early Umbro offerings followed the trends of the ’90s, meaning jerseys were loose-fitting, experimental and often featured loud graphics. They tended to stick to tradition with green shirts for home and white for away but, in 1997, launched the infamous orange and black strip.
By the time the World Cup finals in South Korea & Japan came around, there had been a change in direction towards simpler, more classic designs and they have tended to play it pretty safe over the past 15 years.
A number of black/grey kits were produced intermittently, and — much to the annoyance of fans — Opel, Eircom and 3 have all occupied the front of replica shirts as the main sponsor.
Now, with New Balance set to make its debut for the qualifier with Georgia on 2 September, we take a look back at some of our favourites from Umbro:
1994 (home)
1997 (goalkeeper)
2002 (home)
2002 (away)
2007 (away)
2010 (home)
2011 (home)
2011 (away)
2013 (away)
2014 (home)
And the worst…
1997 (away)
Special edition ‘I had a Macedonia’ shirt (worn by the worst performer in training)
Agree? Which jerseys have you got a soft spot for? Tell us in the comments section below
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