We love our soccer in this country but prior to the arrival of Jack Charlton as Republic of Ireland manager in 1986, the national team, in their efforts to ever qualify for a major championship, had suffered years of heartbreak, near misses and bad luck. That all changed on a November night in Sofia in 1987 when Gary Mackay scored the winner for Scotland against Bulgaria and unbelievably The Boys in Green had qualified for Euro ‘88 in West Germany.
The tournament itself has gone into Irish folklore – we beat England in Stuttgart when Ray Houghton put the ball in the English net, drew with the Soviets in Hannover thanks to Ronnie Whelan’s stunner and lost to a flukey goal by the Dutch in Gelsenkirchen. The Irish fans left a legacy behind them that has never been forgotten. While at home the nation came together like never before, caught up in the biggest national sporting experience we’d ever witnessed. The homecoming wasn’t bad either. It was the beginning of a golden era under Jack Charlton.
EURO ‘88: We Can Beat This Lot looks back at those memorable days in June 1988 through the eyes of players, fans and journalists. It was a summer we’ll never forget when the likes of Bonner, Moran, McGrath, Stapleton and Aldridge all became household names in the four corners of the country.
It was my first international goal playing in our first tournament against England. (Ray Houghton)
The crowds on O’Connell Street…when you see that you think ok, maybe we’ve kept a few people happy throughout the summer.
(Ronnie Whelan)
We almost felt we were part of the team because in those days you didn’t have to seek access to the players. You were welcome.
(George Hamilton)
Presenter/Reporter: Garry Mac Donncha
Producer/Director: Seán Ó Méalóid