Soccer

Irish Soccer Dates to Remember 1900 - 2001

1900 - The IFA host an international in Dublin for the first time, England winning 2-0 at Lansdowne Road on St Patrick's Day, March 17. Only one southern player made the Irish team, Dr Sheehan of Bohemians. Ireland included Portsmouth goalkeeper Reilly, Archie Goodhall of Derby County and Gara of Preston. Ireland wore St Patrick's blue jerseys with a Shamrock crest. The attendance was over 10,000.

1913 - Ireland beat England for the first time, 2-1 on February 15 in Belfast.

1921 - An explosive year, which eventually led to the formation of the Football Association of the Irish Free State in June. Bohemians, St James's Gate and Shelbourne all withdrew from the Irish League and were founder members of the new southern league with Dublin United, Frankfort, Jacobs, Olympia and YMCA.

1922 - St James's Gate win the first ever Irish Free State League

1954 - In a friendly against Norway at Dalymount Park on November 7, the FAI team appears as the Republic of Ireland for the first time

1981 - Ireland are tragically denied a place in the World Cup on goal difference by France. A controversial 1-0 defeat by Belgium on March 25 caused the most damage.

1986 - Jack Charlton replaces Eoin Hand as Ireland team manager and wins the country's first senior international tournament at Reykjavik in Iceland.

1988 - Charlton leads Ireland to an historic victory over England in their opening game at Euro 88, the team then draws 1-1 with the USSR before bowing out to a late Holland goal in their final group match.

1989 - Two goals by John Aldridge against Malta in Valetta sends Ireland into their first ever World Cup finals.

1990 - Ireland start their first World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw with England in Cagliari. Following draws with Egypt and Holland the Irish make it through to a second round clash with Romania. This game finishes level but Ireland win on penalties. Their World Cup campaign ends with a 1-0 defeat by hosts Italy in the quarter-finals.

1993 - November 17, Alan McLoughlin scores Ireland's first ever goal at Windsor Park to clinch a late 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland and ultimately send Ireland into their second World Cup finals in the USA.

1994 - June 18, Ray Houghton's 12th minute goal sealed Ireland's first ever World Cup finals win - 1-0 against Italy in New Jersey. A 2-1 defeat by Mexico was forgotten after a 0-0 draw with Norway sent the Irish through to the second round but Holland ended the Irish dream with a 2-0 win in Orlando.

1995 - Ireland's friendly with England at Lansdowne Road is abandoned after 27 minutes following crowd trouble as the Ireland led 1-0. Holland knock the Irish out of the European Championships after a play-off at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium

1997 - Brian Kerr leads Ireland to their first ever major international success, clinching bronze at the World Youth Cup Finals in Malaysia. Belgium deny Ireland a place in the senior World Cup after a two legged play-off.

1998 - Ireland achieve an unprecedented double after Brian Kerr clinches the UEFA U-16 and U-18 crowns. The first success came with the younger team after they beat Italy 2-1 in the final on May 8 in Scotland and this was followed up on July 26 when the Irish youths beat Germany on penalties in Cyprus.

1998 - Ireland achieve an unprecedented double after Brian Kerr clinches the

2001 - Ireland achieve an amazing victory over Holland at Lansdowne Road. Down to 10 men in the second after Gary Kelly was dismissed, Ireland take the lead with Jason McAteer volleying home from the edge of the box. The gallant Irish manage to hold on for a famous 1 - 0 victory which guarantees them a playoff spot for the 2002 World Cup Finals in Japan and South Korea

2001 - Ireland qualify for the 2002 World Cup Finals in Japan and South Korea by beating Iran over 2 legs. The Irish secure a 2 - 0 victory in Dublin with goals from Ian Harte (pen.) and Robbie Keane. They then survive an onslaught in Tehran, even after Iran score a late consolation goal in injury time to win the match 1 - 0.

For more information on Ireland's soccer history, visit the FAI website

Feel free to submit information about soccer activities in your school to education@kildare.ie

Back to Soccer