Uly magical journey
Heir place on emotional rollercoaster
A drawing of lots was still needed though and it went in Ireland’s favour, meaning we finished second in the group, ahead of the Netherlands, and faced Romania, instead of the daunting task of taking on West Germany, a test which Holland were handed and failed, with the Germans going on to win the tournament.
The jolly green carnival then moved on to Genoa and if we thought our nerves had been jangled up to this point, we really hadn’t seen anything yet as the penalty shoot-out win over Romania ensured that every fingernail in the country was bitten down to the quick.
When Packie Bonner dived to his right to thwart Daniel Timofte, we all joined the Donegal man in his little hop, skip and jump for joy.
‘A nation holds its breath,’ George Hamilton told us as David O’Leary stepped up, and it was the sweetest feeling ever when he fired the ball home and we all exhaled as one, as the realisation that we were in the last eight of the World Cup began to sink in.
There’s no denying that what had gone on in the previous 120 or so minutes was far from balletic and about as uninspiring as a Donald Trump speech, but it didn’t matter one jot as the Irish team kept the crazy hopes of a country alive.
Jack’s ever-swelling army marched on to Rome with the prospect of knocking out hosts Italy a distinct possibility in the minds of the disciples. Divine inspiration was even sought as the squad met Pope John Paul II in the Vatican, and there was no disguising this blessing.
When the Irish gladiators took their place in Stadio Olimpico, with the prize a place in the World Cup semi-final, the people of Ireland couldn’t have been any prouder. Whatever the outcome, we were with them all the way – win or lose they were returning to the Emerald Isle as heroes.
Sadly it wasn’t to be as Ireland were unable to penetrate a water-tight Italian defence, and a 37th-minute goal from Toto Schillaci, a name that will be forever etched in Irish minds, proved to be the difference.
Ireland tried hard to reply, but breaking down a rearguard which included the likes of Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini and Giuseppe Bergomi was never going to be easy, and ultimately their brave effort fell just short.
The great adventure was over, but for many back home it was only beginning as the team won the hearts and minds of the people, a love affair that would continue four years later at the World Cup in America.
We might not have played the most aesthetically pleasing football, and, in hindsight, given the players at our disposal, maybe we should have played a bit more on the turf instead of the over-reliance on the long-ball game.
However, apart from the country’s football purists, few complained as results were all that mattered. And there’s no denying that Charlton delivered, where others failed on that front, before and since.
A bit like ‘Put ‘Em Under Pressure’, Jack Charlton’s gruff Geordie tones set to music may not make the hairs stand on the back of your neck in quite the same way as the late, great Luciano Pavarotti singing the Italia ‘90 anthem ‘Nessun Dorma’, but it does ignite passion in Irish fans.
Also, would the famous Italian tenor have been able to set up a rigid 4-4-2 formation that could frustrate even the most skilful of teams? I think not.
When you clinically analyse each game and performance, the Irish team may not have pulled up trees and set the tournament alight in terms of the football on view, but it was so, so much more than that.
It was a truly magical journey for those of us looking on, with practically the whole country taking their place on a thrilling emotional rollercoaster.
The crowds that lined the streets of Dublin for the team’s homecoming to show their appreciation illustrated perfectly just what the tournament meant to the people of Ireland.
We had finally arrived at the party and we were determined to enjoy it for as long as it lasted. What we wouldn’t give for a return to those sort of heights once again. ‘Olé, olé, olé, olé, Ireland, Ireland’