THE IRISH TEAM has played Serbia or (their previous incarnation) Yugoslavia six times over the course of their history, and at least three of these encounters were memorable occasions for one reason or another.
Their first meeting was in 1955, when Ireland lost 4-1, however more memorable than the game was the fuss that surrounded it — Archbishop McQuaid was furious when the FAI arranged the game without his consent, and he called for a boycott of this match with a communist country. Nonetheless, the game still went ahead as planned with over 20,000 people filling Dalymount Park and ignoring McQuaid’s protestations in the process.
The sides met again in a friendly just prior to the 1988 European Championships, while just over 20 years later, Giovanni Trapattoni’s first official international in charge of Ireland ended in a 1-1 draw with Serbia, with Andy Keogh grabbing a late equaliser after Marko Pantelic capitalised on a Paul McShane mistake to put Serbia ahead after 75 minutes. They were to meet once more during Trap’s tenure — a 0-0 draw that epitomised the consistently unremarkable performances of the side post-Euro 2012, with the game taking place less than two months after the competition ended.
Nevertheless, the most memorable matches were surely the Euro 2000 qualifiers during Mick McCarthy’s Ireland reign and in particular, the game at Lansdowne Road.
It was an impressive Yugoslavia side that had reached the last 16 of the 1998 World Cup and were only beaten 2-1 by Holland after Edgar Davids scored an injury-time winner.
They also boasted a number of top-class players, including Dejan Stankovic and Predrag Mijatovic.
Having lost 1-0 in Belgrade after Mijatovic scored a 64th-minute winner, goals from a then-19-year-old Robbie Keane and a 70th-minute stunner by Mark Kennedy helped Ireland prevail 2-1 in front of a buoyant home crowd.
It was arguably the most important result of McCarthy’s reign as Ireland manager at that stage, and created considerable optimism that the team could qualify for the Euros in Holland and Belgium.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, as a last-minute equaliser by Goran Stavrevski prevented Ireland from automatic qualification against Macedonia in their final qualifier, while they would eventually be knocked out on away goals by Tukey via the play-offs.
Ireland team in 1998 away qualifier v Yugoslavia: Given; Irwin, Staunton, Breen, Cunningham; McAteer (O’Neill, 83), Roy Keane, Kinsella, McLoughlin (Cascarino 72), Duff; Quinn (Connolly 72).
Ireland team in 1999 home qualifier v Yugoslavia: Kelly; Cunningham, Staunton, Breen, Irwin (Carr 64); Kennedy, Kinsella, Roy Keane (Carsley 68), Kilbane; Quinn (Cascarino 78), Robbie Keane.
That Munster team should not be losing to that Cardiff team.
@The Irish Pain: also think the team hasn’t lost it’s way since Rassie left.
@The Irish Pain: ***has
And now we see why Keatley just isn’t of a good international standard. I understand he’s playing his best rugby this season but he isn’t at a high enough level for ireland or back up 10 to sexton. He wasn’t to blame for munster losing but he was anonymous for most parts and is still prone to errors at crucial times.
@Anthony Davoren: keatley issue is playing with that moron dunc the muppet.
@Shougeki: cool the jets with the abuse.
@The Irish Pain: yeah , no need for personal abuse but the half backs, all of them bar Murray obviously are sub standard if munster have any high end ambition going forward !!
@The Irish Pain: I dont mean to demean him as a man, and apologies if it came across as abuse but he has no right to be playing professional rugby. I honestly reckon sometimes we would be better off fielding 14 than having “dunc the bunk” on the pitch. He is dreadful. Only munster player i have thought would be better of they picked a randomer from the crowd.
@Shougeki: Best Fans In The World TM (c)
@Shougeki: keatley is just simply USELESS. He wouldent even make a school team & a Coward as well
@Murf: and Shougeki: You pair are an embarrassment to your club and Irish rugby
@Shougeki: Agree totally – reminds me of Tomas O’Leary, only worse.
@Causasua: he reminds you of a player selected to tour with the Lions having been a crucial member of a Grand Slam winning side?
As long as we persevere with Williams we are going nowhere. He is clearly not up to standard which poses the question what are his connections to the top of Munster rugby????? Useless against Zebre two weeks ago and the same tonight. Wouldn’t get near the starting line up of any other pro 14 team.
Dreadful.
@Munsterman: it was worse than dreadful!!!!
10 changes didn’t help. But 9 & 10 were very poor. Keatley’s kicking was shocking in the first half. Understandable that he’s released from Carton! Williams kicked all day to absolutely no effect, apart from gifting Cardiff a try & continuously giving them back possession. Poor leadership on the pitch. Game plan did not work for 75% of the game. Our panel is v weak as shown when our internationals are away.
@Paddy Murphy: panel is strong, it’s literally our halfbacks are the problem.
@thesaltyurchin: Bleyendaal is quality but you need a better 9 than Williams or Hart for sure.
You cant win rugby matches if you have a poor 9/10 , they contributed to 14 pts by errors
We should have killed them off when they had rees in the bin. Fair duce to Williams for his contribution but seriously we definitely have better scrum halves in the munster academy. Thought he slowed the game way down which played into Cardiffs hands at a time we should have killed them. We got 1 point when 5 points were there for the taking
@Kenneth O Connor: What’s the story with James Hart? only getting 10 mins in game like this suggests he’s not rated at all
@Sean Mannion: last time he got a run he was worse than Williams. We need Strings 2.0 (kid a Connacht with a bullet pass)
@Sean Mannion: yeah, what is the story with Hart? Can anybody comment – is Willians a better option or what’s happening there?
Dreadful watching. Really unimaginative tactics and sloppy execution, still trying to maul win games, and with the same problems at 9 and 10 as 5 seasons ago its no wonder we can’t create anything outside, glad Keatley can crack a wry smile when it puts another one out on the full (are we allowed to talk about how crap he can be again now or still a no go?) at least Williams is gone at the end of the season, you could make a cup of tea in the time he has at the back of a ruc, and it’s still not enough. Ref way off on Cronin, Cardiff deserve the win tho. Least we got a losing bonus I suppose.
@thesaltyurchin: where have you seen that Williams is gone at the end of the season?
@Jim Demps: Word on the street.
@thesaltyurchin: didn’t he sign a new contract recently?
@thesaltyurchin: whats the story with james hart?
@Johnny A: Slept with the wrong persons wife presumably!
@thesaltyurchin: I thought he signed a new contract
@thesaltyurchin: Williams has a new 2 yr contract
So incredibly blunt in attack it’s ridiculous. There’s not the slightest bit of creativity there at all, which lead to them constantly kicking the ball away. No evidence of back moves or anything. Dreadful. The defense in the first half was also shocking.
Williams not good enough. Poland did well last week when he came on. Harte also not at the races. Keats is a confidence player, one wheel comes off they all come off. Not one of his better games but others didn’t cover themselves in glory either. Ref had a howler too though. Missed knock on for 1st try and awarded penalty against Cronin for a legit steal. 10 points. Did I say Williams isn’t good enough.
People need to manage their expectations a little bit. Sure we should be beating Cardiff but these blips happen in a season. Especially when you’ve changed your head coach mid season. There has been a huge amount of turmoil over the last 2 years and for me the players have been doing exceptionally well given all that has gone on. For me a successful season will be making a semi in the champions cup and the same in the pro 14. Anything beyond that will be a great season. From there van graan can build during the off season.
Duncan Williams masterclass