Shades of Houghton in ’94 as IRL write new chapter in folklore

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  • LILLE, France — Twenty-two years after Ray Houghton’s volley secured the most famous result in Ireland’s history at World Cup ‘94, Robbie Brady produced a moment that Ireland fans will be talking about two decades from now.

    Back in ‘94, Italy were defeated 1-0 in New York and history repeated itself in Lille on Wednesday, the Azzurri downed by Brady’s second-half header. A whole generation of supporters who previously relied on YouTube videos and the nostalgia of their parents to relive Houghton’s strike now have their own memory to treasure.

    A historic night at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy saw Ireland reach the European Championship knockout stage for the first time, putting to bed the demons of an embarrassing winless campaign at Euro 2012, which had been rounded off by a dismal 2-0 defeat to the Italians.

    Where Giovanni Trapattoni’s side had whimpered in Poznan, Martin O’Neill’s side roared. O’Neill’s reputation is more a man motivator than a tactical tinkerman but after urging his players to be “heroes” before the game, he showed real bravery himself with his team selection, making four changes from the side battered by Belgium.

    The desire Ireland showed certainly verged on the superhuman at times, many of the players limping through the mixed zone after the game having, as a number of them put it, “left everything out on the pitch.” Ireland were galvanised, unrecognisable from the team that surrendered to Belgium and unafraid to take the game to Italy. Seamus Coleman’s foul after 20 seconds was an indication of the physicality of things to come – the challenge very much out the school of ‘let him know you’re there, son’.

    There were fine displays all over the field, from Shane Duffy’s towering presence at centre-half to the marauding forays of Seamus Coleman and the fearless, direct running of James McClean that reminded of the player who once terrified Premier League defences when he first broke through at Sunderland.

    Jeff Hendrick’s swashbuckling showing was particularly eye-catching, the wavy-haired midfielder looking a little like Luka Modric in performance as well as appearance such was the influence he exerted as Ireland’s chief ball-player. After the game he had tears in his eyes and a little later he stood in front of journalists with a beer in one hand, pizza in the other – every inch the have-a-go hero.

    It was about time Ireland’s players stepped into the spotlight. The fans have been attracting plenty of attention at Euro 2016 so far, the much-loved travelling Irish contingent delighting all and sundry with their random acts of kindness and generally genial disposition. But this was a night when those on the pitch finally justified the tireless support shown for them off it, the significance of the result certainly not lost on the squad.

    IRELAND'S FOUR BIGGEST WINS

    • Ireland 1-0 England, Euro '88
    • Ireland 1-0 Italy, World Cup '94
    • Ireland 3-0 Saudi Arabia, World Cup 2002
    • Ireland 1-0 Italy, Euro 2016

    “The fans are always brilliant,” Shane Long told Sport360 after the game. “They’re a credit to Ireland and after the game today when all the Italian fans left, it still felt full in there. I’m sure they’ll enjoy tonight and hopefully in 20 years time they’ll remember this game.

    “It’s hard for me to remember ’94 – I was only six or seven years old. Obviously the 2002 World Cup was good as well, with Robbie [Keane] scoring against Germany – there are a few memories but it seems like a long time ago. There are a lot of young fans out there who have only seen videos but haven’t experienced it.

    “My nephews were there today to experience it, my whole family were there – it’s amazing to be part of tonight – it’s a great feeling now but we’ve got to move on tomorrow and focus on the France game. It’d be a shame to have a result like this and not make it count on Sunday.”

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    Having already had to play Italy and Belgium, it will now be on to Les Bleus for the Irish, and a shot at redemption after Thierry Henry’s infamous handball denied them in the qualification play-off for the 2010 World Cup. One feels certain that the incident would have brought up in the privacy of the Irish dressing-room, but the public face is one of refusal to dwell on the past.

    “No-one’s been talking about it [the handball] tonight in the dressing room,” said Stephen Ward. “It was a long time ago. Everyone of us has respect for France as a team with some unbelievable players. We’ll have to be on our game, it’s going to be tough for us but what a reward for tonight, playing the host nation. I’m really looking forward to it.”

    Now the emerald wave flows south to Paris for Ireland’s first knockout match at a major championship since Spain eliminated them from the 2002 World Cup at the last-16 stage. The supporters’ patience and passion has finally been rewarded; it is up to O’Neill’s men to ensure that victory over Italy is not a once-in-a-lifetime moment for this new generation of Irish fans.

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