5 FAMOUS ‘OLD ENEMY’ CLASHES
WHILE England will starts odds-on to beat the Republic of Ireland home and away in the Nations League, they will know from previous clashes not to take anything for granted.
Through the years, Ireland have stood their ground in the line of fire and also famously found a way to claim the high ground on the battlefield, in Stuttgart at Euro88. Of the eight competitive duels, England have won two, Ireland once, together with five draws, two of which saw Ireland cruelly denied.
21/9/49 Friendly, Goodison Park England 0 Republic of Ireland 2
JOHNNY Carey (below) led Ireland to a famous win at a bulging Goodison Park, as England suffered their first home defeat by a non-British side. England’s XI was experimental but still featured Billy Wright, Tom Finney and Wilf Mannion. Goals by Con Martin, from the penalty spot just past the half hour, and Peter Farrell, with five minutes to go on the counter-attack, sealed a result that reverberated around Europe.
19/5/57 World Cup, Dalymount Park Republic of Ireland 1 England 1
Commentator Philip Greene famously said ‘the silence could be heard at Nelson’s Pillar’ after John Atyeo burgled an injury-time equaliser to break Irish hearts. Alf Ringstead fired Ireland in front early on in a thriller. With the ‘Dalyer Roar’ at full throttle, Tom Finney crossed for Atyeo to score and send England to the World Cup finals. Ireland would have to wait until 1990.
12/6/88 Euro finals, Stuttgart England 0 Republic of Ireland 1
There were echoes of ’57 as Ireland scored early, through Ray Houghton, only this time England were repelled with Packie Bonner defiant between the posts. The Irish goal was a rare header from Houghton after a misdirected clearance from Kenny Sansom. For Irish manager Jack Charlton, victory was sweet as he had been turned down for an interview for the England job.
11/6/90 World Cup finals, Cagliari England 1 Republic of Ireland 1
On a storm-tossed night in Cagliari, Kevin Sheedy scored Ireland’s first World Cup goal as he cashed in on an error by Steve McMahon to spear a left-footer past Peter Shilton. Earlier, Ireland coughed up a sloppy goal as they allowed Chris Waddle to cross for Gary Lineker to chest the ball past Bonner. Chances were few but Charlton’s belief in his players and style was unshakeable. Again, it paid off.
27/3/91 Euro Championships, Wembley England 1 Republic of Ireland 1
Arguably, the finest performance by Ireland under Charlton, if not the result, as England somehow wriggled off the hook. Charlton went chasing for Houghton after the game for missing a sitter late on. A luckless own goal from Steve Staunton gifted England the lead before Niall Quinn’s cushioned volley crowned a period of Irish possession. There was only one team in it after that.