Ireland National Football Team: Greatest Moments

Irish football has a fantastic history and Ireland fans have witnessed some special moments. The Republic of Ireland team was first recognised by FIFA in 1953 and they entered the 1958 World Cup qualifiers where they were drawn against England. The Ireland national football team have had their difficulties over the years but there have been plenty of special moments.

Ray Houghton (1988)

It is important to make a note of the date because Ray Houghton will appear twice on this page. The midfielder was born in Glasgow but became the toast of Ireland thanks to his goal against England in the 1988 European Championship. Ireland were drawn with England in the group stages of the competition and were the underdogs as the two teams met in the opening round of games. Houghton, who was the smallest man on the pitch, rose to head the ball home in the 8th minute of the match and Ireland kept a clean sheet to record a stunning victory. Although ‘luck of the Irish’ like what one hopes to have when playing new online slots Ireland would have been nice to have, it was not needed, as the Irish players relied on their skill and team effort to get the job done.

Robbie Brady (2016)

Robbie Brady’s goal against Italy at the 2016 European Championship is perhaps the best moment in recent Irish football history. In the group stages of the tournament, Ireland met Italy in their third and final fixture knowing they needed a win to progress. Italy had already won 2 games and were full of confidence. However, the only goal of the match was scored by Brady in the 85th minute to spark wild celebrations in the stands and across the country. That goal was enough to send Ireland through to the round of 16.

Jason McAteer (2001)

Qualifying for the World Cup in Europe is extremely difficult and in 2001, Ireland were drawn with both Portugal and Netherlands in their group. Only the top team in the group qualified for the World Cup and Ireland had picked up points in draws in Portugal and the Netherlands. In their penultimate home fixture, Ireland faced Netherlands knowing a playoff spot was on the line. Jason McAteer produced the special moment of the match for Ireland, scoring in the 68th minute to send Lansdowne Road into ecstasy. It was a special moment and vital in sealing qualification for the 2002 World Cup.

Ray Houghton (1994)

As promised, we return to Ray Houghton for another fantastic moment in the history of the Ireland national football team. This time we are at the 1994 World Cup in the United States and Ireland were drawn alongside Italy in the group stages of the competition. As in the match against England at the 1988 European Championship, Houghton struck early, this time with a looping finish over Italian goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca. Ireland remained stubborn in the face of the Italian attack to take maximum points.

Some of the other greatest moments in the history of the Ireland national football team include Pat Bonner’s save in the penalty shootout against Romania at the 1990 World Cup, David O’Leary’s winning penalty in the same game, and Robbie Keane’s late equalising goal against Germany at the 2002 World Cup.