Liechtenstein 0 -0 Republic of Ireland, June 3rd 1995
At the end of this torrid afternoon, the home side all held hands and paraded in front of their supporters. The Euro 1996 qualification campaign was the tiny country’s very first foray into UEFA competition and the scoreless draw against Jack Charlton’s side proved their greatest ever football moment (though it’s since been surpassed by a collection of impressive performances throughout the 2006 World Cup qualifiers). In contrast, it remains the Republic of Ireland’s worst ever result.
There was a certain air of weirdness to the whole affair, a feeling that something just wasn’t quite right. The ‘dug-outs’ were merely a collection of fold-out chairs. Some fans peered at the game from a height nearby. On the field, things were comical, to the point of absurd.
Republic of Ireland XI: Alan Kelly, Gary Kelly, Denis Irwin, Phil Babb, Paul McGrath, Ronnie Whelan (c), Jason McAteer, John Aldridge, Niall Quinn, John Sheridan, Steve Staunton
Macedonia 3-2 Republic of Ireland, April 2nd 1997
There was something fitting about this World Cup qualifier coming so soon after April Fool’s Day. Keeping with the theme, Ireland debuted a garish orange away shirt. It was unintentional hilarity – something that cropped up throughout the rest of the afternoon.
Mick McCarthy’s side did get the perfect start in Skopje after Alan McLoughlin popped up to send a neat header to the net after a perfect knock-down by Tony Cascarino. But on the half hour mark, Jason McAteer (more from him later) handled in the box and the hosts were awarded a penalty. Mitko Stojkovski stepped up and side-footed to the net, the ball kissing the underside of the bar on its way. The equaliser should’ve stunned Ireland into offering some kind of response but instead, they went to the interval 2-1 behind.
Terry Phelan was penalised for another handball in the area and Stojkovski made no mistake once more. On the hour mark, a dreadful mistake by substitute Ian Harte was gleefully punished by Georgi Hristov (soon to be of Barnsley), who conjured a superb finish to make it 3-1.
Keith O’Neill, who had been brought on in place of Cascarino at half-time, picked up an injury and was forced off himself. His replacement, David Kelly, managed to pull one back for the visitors after good work from Jon Goodman. But even though an equaliser eluded them, there was time for one final, darkly comedic moment.
In injury time, under a dropping ball, McAteer launched himself, kung-fu style, at Artim Sakiri. It was Cantona-esque, though at least the Frenchman’s assault on Matthew Simmons was chest-high. McAteer left his stud marks on the Macedonian’s neck. It was a straight red card and, in hindsight, Trigger deserved a lengthy ban for this.
In the immediate aftermath, Stojkovski was also sent-off for reacting furiously to his team-mate having been laid out in such a violent fashion.
An ugly end to an ugly day for Irish football.
Republic of Ireland XI: Alan Kelly, Denis Irwin, Gary Breen, Terry Phelan, Steve Staunton, Roy Keane, Andy Townsend, Alan McLoughlin, Jason McAteer, Tony Cascarino, Jon Goodman
Cyprus 5-2 Republic of Ireland, October 7th 2006
The Steve Staunton era has many lowlights but this is certainly at the top of the list. Having been hit with a touchline ban after kicking over a water bottle in anger during Ireland’s opening Euro qualifier against Germany, Stan was subsequently forced to watch this embarrassment from the stands. And afterwards, the majority of Ireland fans wanted him to accept his failings and keep his distance from the team on a permanent basis.
In many ways, this was the beginning of the end though there was a brief reprieve after some home wins later in the campaign. But this performance in particular seemed to serve as the perfect metaphor for Staunton’s reign: confused chaos.
Ireland were in front after 8 minutes when Stephen Ireland drove a low strike to the far corner after a great cross from Damien Duff. But just 90 seconds later, an awful error from Andy O’Brien gifted an equaliser to Michael Konstantinou. After 16 minutes, it was Paddy Kenny’s mistake that led to Cyprus’ second and though Ireland levelled before the break through Richard Dunne, they fell behind early in the second half when O’Brien conceded a cheap penalty and Konstantinou grabbed his brace. On the hour mark, the hosts scored a fourth after the Irish defence was run ragged. With 16 minutes left, Charalambidis popped up with his second after another cheap Irish giveaway.
To compound matters, Dunne was sent-off late on for a second bookable offence. As the defender trudged off into the Nicosia night, it was a sorry sight befitting of the ninety minutes that preceded it.
Republic of Ireland XI: Paddy Kenny, Steve Finnan, John O’Shea, Andy O’Brien, Richard Dunne, Kevin Kilbane, Aiden McGeady, Stephen Ireland, Clinton Morrison, Robbie Keane, Damien Duff
San Marino 1-2 Republic of Ireland, February 8th 2007
Staunton was on thin ice prior to this game. After it, having come so perilously close to a humiliation of epic proportions, there was renewed calls for his resignation. Amazingly, he didn’t cave and survived for eight more months.
How, after this debacle, we’ll never know. Maybe Stephen Ireland’s late, late winner did save Staunton’s job. But it shouldn’t have covered an incredibly dismal performance, capped off by the goal San Marino scored after 87 minutes.
After an aimless clearance up-field, Manuel Marini was well-shadowed by Paul McShane when Wayne Henderson suddenly came racing to the edge of his area to clear. He missed his kick. Richard Dunne tried to challenge but only succeeded in falling over. As he went to strike the ball towards goal, Marini did likewise, the ball squirmed off his leg, went through McShane’s and trickled to the empty net.
After scoring Ireland’s winner, the then-Manchester City midfielder headed to the Irish bench to celebrate with Staunton, who enveloped him in a bear-hug. It said much: Ireland relieved to have claimed three points against a team ranked 195th in the world. Here’s hoping this weekend won’t throw up a similar feeling.
Republic of Ireland XI: Wayne Henderson, Steve Finnan, John O’Shea, Richard Dunne, Ian Harte, Damien Duff, Lee Carsley, Stephen Ireland, Kevin Kilbane, Robbie Keane, Shane Long
For all that was said about Kildare doing well under McGeaney, I feel they underachieved considerably. Way too much hype with no end product and no silverware to show for it either.
If Kildare actually played good football instead of talking how good they are and the LEGENDS that are on the team they may have some hope
Dublin-Meath games always have the potential to be crackers. Its my favourite rivilary in the GAA, I think allot of teams(weaker counties)are beaten by Dublin before a ball is kicked, Meath will not fear them and id say they will give them a good game.That said I’d say the Dubs will still win by 4 or 5 points.
Going to order a ticket for this one and as a neutral im hoping for a good old fashioned Meath v Dublin battle.
Meath are up against it obviously but we’ve already got a chance, as I said above we’re going to need goals, and a lot of them. Dublins squad is so strong it’s hard to see us matching them for 70 mins, but if we can pressure their kicks like we did last year, and with Paddy O’Rourke booming balls onto their 50 yard line with his own we should win most of that ball, it’ll give us a chance at least
Dublin would want to wake up from their first half slumber. Two games in a row now and won’t get away so lightly against better opposition.
Yesterday the wrong option was selected a lot of the time in the first half. Take the easy points lads.
Cormac Costello is a class act,
Up the dubs.
Beat two teams by cricket scores and still not happy. Typical Dub supporter. You dont know how good you have it!
A ridiculous comment. These are the best days to be a Dublin supporter that I can remember for a long time.
First half in both games so far the finishing was poor. If they play like that against Meath they’ll be punished.
From someone who played GAA
Everyone is talking of how far they are ahead of every team in Leinster, Meath are not that far behind in talent considering Dublin have far more money and better sponsorship deals. It’s great to see Dublin do so well and as a Meath man we are going to catch them.
What has money got to do with it? They can’t buy players or pay them
The 7 point differential in last years Leinster final begs to differ! Meath wilted badly in the 2nd half yesterday and there was an abundance of poor wides from both them and Kildare
Dublin really should have too much for us tbh but you can see what Mick O’Dowd is trying to do. At every opportunity yesterday, Meath drove straight for goal…this has been in preparation for a crack at Dublin. O’Dowd knows that if Meath are going to have any chance we’ll have to create and take every goal opportunity that we can. Now we didn’t take the chances yesterday, but they were created none the less.
The last time Meath beat Dublin was in 2010, our forwards were on fire and we banged in 5 goals. Without doubt this will be the idea again.
Money has a lot to do with it = better training facilities and a lot more.
Hon the royals!
Haven’t missed a match so far this year . Meath getting stronger no doubt . Dublin didn’t get out of 2nd gear till mid way through the 2nd half . Attendance was ok but I’m sure i won’t get a ticket come final . Typical :( COYBIB
Darren you can buy tickets for the final at Super value stores or go online and get them through tickets.ie.
Who only charge €1 for postage and no booking fee unlike ticket master.
You should have got a season ticket. If my county were possible All Ireland candidates id get on.
It is great to see Dublin and Meath go head to head in the final. https://twitter.com/DeclanJCarr/status/483245084226621441/photo/1