While I'm glad that Mick is gone, I'm the first to admit that we had some great times while he was in charge. We've also had some real downers. What are people's favourite and least favourite memories? To get the ball rolling....... Favourite Easy. Sitting on the South Terrace that glorious day last August when MacAteer swept the ball into the Dutch net. I have never heard noise like it in my life. Such a contrast to the atmosphere last month. Least Favourite. A toss up. (A) The moment when the Macedonian forward scored their last minute equaliser to deny us direct passage to Euro 2000. (B) Getting a horrible sinking feeling on reading the team sheet for the Switzerland match and seeing Kilbane and Breen in situ with Duff up front. For me, that moment epitomised why Mick had to go.
A) Has to be Robbie Keanes equaliser against Germany, Not to mention watching Micks reaction in slow-mo, after we got back from the game....priceless!!! B) Have to agree with the Macedonia equaliser...sickening, perhaps on a par with Zukers 95th minute winner in Zagreb?
a) have to agree with the Germany game for best moment, especially being an expat out here!Although on reflection I was very dissapointed we didn't beat them as I am sure we had the better of them. Therefore best performances would be either of Croatia or Yugoslavia at home which we won 2-0 and 2-1 respectively if memory serves. B) Obviously Macedonia, what a downer. Also the playoffs against Turkey, another team we should have beaten, especially the 0-0 out there and the ugly scenes after the match.
best moments keane scoring against germany (i still get a shiver when i watch it) beating holland at lansdowne kennedy's rocket to grab a late draw against yugoslavia the draw against spain (they played like giants that day) worst moments play-offs defeats against belgium and turkey. the turkey defeat still sticks in my throat because of the disgraceful way the turks played. macedonia switzerland
Best: The ones that have been mentioned already, + win over Croatia. Also the 2-0 win over Iran. Worst: France '98 qualifying. Draws at home with such teams as Iceland and Lithuania... And failing to qualify for 2 major tournaments.
I'd agree with that, I'd nearly accepted defeat when I read it. Worst moments were blatantly the whole 1998 campaign nearly, Macedonia, Croatia and the farce that was Yugo away (Not Micks fault, the game should never have been). Best were Hollands goal V Portugal, Two of McAteers Dutch goals (Despite the unhappy ending of the 2-2 draw for the first) and Robbie Keanes Germany goal, I'd rank it as first but we really could have beaten them.
Best - the ones that have already been mentioned, plus the Iran games just for making it through a playoff. Worst - the 10-seconds-left equaliser
Worst Memory? Eh, Saipan, surely!!! Best? Beating Yugoslavia 2-1. It was a pressure game and we stood toe-to-toe with a strong side and beat them fair and square with two quality goals. No "WC hangover" excuses, no jammy late winners having withstood a barrage, etc. Atmosphere was electric that night.
I was there that night too and it was definitely the best atmosphere I've every experienced at an Irish game. In fact I think it was the last Irish match I was at.