In the build up to Euro 2016, ThatsMags.com will be profiling Euro 2016 Shanghai Fans from all 24 countries taking part in the tournament in France. Gaelic Athletic Association legend Peter Mooney is hoping the spirit of Ray Houghton will be with the Boys in Green.
Rep of Ireland, Group E
Opponents: Belgium, Italy & Sweden
Odds: 150/1
Greatest moment?
Ray Houghton lobs Pagliuca at the Giants Stadium, New York. Ireland 1-0 Italy World Cup 1994 (below). Paul McGrath (astonishingly well assisted by Spice Boy Phil Babb) spent the next 80 minutes putting in a Spartan like defensive perform to keep Roberto Baggio and the rest of the eventual finalists from the Irish goal.
Honorable mention: Packie Bonner’s penalty shootout save against Romania in Italia 90. Cue millions of ‘signs of the cross’ made in Irish school yard for the rest of the decade.
Greatest Euros moment?
Ireland 1-0 England Euro 1988. Ray Houghton nods the ball over Peter Shilton to give the first ever Irish campaign at an international tournament a great start. Beating the English entitles you to drink for free in any Irish pub for the rest of your life, waiting for Ray to arrive at The Blarney Stone. A draw against the Russian (sumptuous volley from Ronnie Whelan) and a cruel loss to the Dutch denied us a place in the semi-finals, but finishing above England (zero points) was a huge victory for the nation.
Worst moment?
Toto Schillaci’s goal to knock Jackie’s Army out of World Cup 90. Books have been written and films have been made about the great summer when Jack Charlton led us to our first ever World Cup, but it couldn’t last forever. Plenty of other bad moments – the English ripping up Lansdowne Road, Thierry Henry’s hand ball cheating us out of a place in WC 2010, Keano leaving Saipan split the country…
Worst Euros moment?
The whole of Euro 2012 – credit to Giovanni Trapattoni for getting a poor team to the tournament but watching the games was painful.
Where you and your countrymen (and women) will be watching it in Shanghai?
The Blarney Stone and the Tipsy Fiddler have a loyal Irish cliental well capable of generating a craicing atmosphere.
Song(s) the fans sing?
The Fields of Athenry, We're All part of Jackie's (Marty's) Army, Come on You Boys in Green, Ole Ole Ole, Stand Up For the Boys in Green, Keano!
Biggest rivals?
There is always great satisfaction from beating the English.
Star Man?
Seamus Coleman will be a driving force up the right side providing Shane Long (above) with ammo. Not exactly Messi and Aguero but they’ve been doing a great job in the qualifiers.
One to watch?
Hendrick, if he doesn't end up in the playoffs with Derby and his legs are hanging off by the time he arrives. Harry Arter if he can get fit for the end of the season.
Bad Boy?
McClean. He'll needlessly kick seven shades of shit out of anyone who gets within 20 yards of him. He's also a massive idiot.
Boy Blunder?
Stephen Ward is always good for a massive rick. Glenn Whelan will probably manage to set himself on fire at some stage, too.
Heart Throb?
Who the hell knows what women want, but Ciaran Clark looks like a member of a failed boyband. The ladies of Ireland don't seem to hate Shane Long, either, albeit they may just be taking his name too literally.
So what are your chances?
Realistically, not that great. There's a good chance we'll go home with a Eurovision-esque 0 points. But if we beat Sweden in the first game we have a chance to nick a point or two from the remaining games v Italy and Belgium.
Want to write about your country? Email us at editor@urbanatomy.com.
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