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2000

There seemed to be little to look forward to heading into the new millennium. We had a new jersey anyway. A wooly effort more reminiscent of our rugby brethren. Its debut came in yet another friendly against the Czech Republic. They had become what Poland were to us in the 70s. A 3-2 win was secured after Ireland had come back from behind twice. Robbie Keane with the winner late on after Harte’s equaliser. 

Two defeats against Greece and Scotland followed and one wondered how a modern marketing genius would have been able to sell tickets for these extravaganzas. A one nil loss to the Greeks was followed up with a 1-2 to the Scots. Kennedy had scored early but Scotland, who had been unlucky to lose to England in the play offs came back to win thanks another ex red, Don Hutchinson. 

Ireland were all set for a big trip for the US Cup. Would we play Mexico again. How did you know?? Maybe this trip would be worthwhile though. The lads who wanted to represent their country in any capacity were there and the lads who felt it was a waste of time, didn’t…Bit unfair? 

Mexico went into a two goal lead and things looked grim until Richard Dunne and then…trivia buff alert…Dominic Foley scored to grab a share of the spoils. Just to show it wasn’t a fluke Foley scored again against the hosts but the States equalised and our winless run against the Stars and Stripes would continue. Victory eventually did come against South Africa with goals from Stephen McPhail and Niall Quinn cancelling out an early African effort. The trip had justified itself. McPhail was an interesting one. A player well respected at David O’Leary’s Leeds he seemed destined to become a staple in the Irish midfield. Injuries really did for him though and he amassed a mere 10 caps, his last coming in 2004.

So while the rest of Europe partied, McCarthy and co flew back home already plotting for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. At the fixture meeting McCarthy had negotiated well, no doubt using previous experience to his advantage. Ireland would have the big Dublin games towards the end of the campaign and get the away fixtures out of the way first. With that in mind it was Amsterdam in September 2000. If the plan was to catch major tournament semi finalists cold a la Croatia in 1998( or Belgium in 1986) then it worked! It almost really worked!

A few days before the Dutch game there was mild controversy with what might be commonly referred to as ‘ruille buille’. Phil Babb and Mark Kennedy were arrested in Harcourt Street after jumping on some poor unfortunate’s (edit: on duty garda’s car). And to think during Italia 90, most people insisted on their car getting externally rode. Consent is an important thing folks. Both Babb and Kennedy were ejected from the squad, and it’s fair to say their International careers were effectively over at that stage 

On to the match itself and Ireland went into a two goal lead with a Robbie Keane header and McAteer with another in the second half. Gradually though we fell back, dropping deeper with every passing minute. Jeffrey Talan brought it back to 2-1 before Van Bronkhurst hit a long range equaliser. In many ways this was when the Keane/McCarthy civil war began(or was re-ignited). Mick was happy with the draw while Keane was disgusted. Thousands around the country were primed to put Keane on the pedestal. The warrior who was winning United games on his own(debatable)was now ready to drag little old Ireland kicking and screaming to success(also debatable). Watch it back though. Keane didn’t close down Giovanni for that shot!

The next game in Oporto was an inferior performance but equalising to draw is always better than giving up a lead to draw. Concecao scored just before the hour and everyone began to feel 1995 deja vu. But the rain didn’t fall like it did five years prior and when substitute Matt Holland let fly with twenty minutes remaining, we were walking on sunshine; our only shot on goal. too. As a substitute for Niall Quinn at half time it probably would have been roundly criticised in the morning papers if he didn’t score. But he did. And all of a sudden, things looked very good. 

Afterwards McCarthy and Roy Keane hugged! And according to the Irish Indo any talk of a rift was way off the mark!

One more qualifier in the calendar saw a relatively relaxing win over Estonia at home. There were two slightly unlikely goalscorers with Richard Dunne’s first goal since the US Cup and Mark Kinsella’s first goal full stop. We had a friendly against Finland to finish off the year. A nice 3-0 win (goals Finnan, Kilbane and Staunton) meant we could all enjoy The Sporting Year on RTE in peace. 

2001

Spring sprang and Ireland had their World Cup destiny in their own hands. What was needed in Nicosia was a professional, no nonsense performance. Enter Roy Maurice Keane. 

Now, there is a very small subset of fans of the boys in green who think Keane’s impact on the team was overrated. And as a proud cynic I’d like to get behind that, only because I think the man himself is often embarrassed by the reminiscences of others. Sometimes it’s on Braveheart levels. Seven feet tall, thunder blowing out of his arse type stuff. With all that said, the game needed us to deliver. And so we did. 4-0 away against an inferior but certainly not hopeless team. Keane’s two goals bookended the scoring, with a Harte penalty and a rare Gary Kelly goal in between.

The two games against Andorra came in succession, firstly a 3-0 away win thanks to another Harte pen, Kilbane and Holland. Then 3-1 back in Dublin with goals from Kilbane, Kinsella and Breen. Four games left in the group now…

First up was the return game against Portugal. And although the floodlights were long installed in Lansdowne, another afternoon kick-off time was chosen. For me, this was the Keane game. This game, more than the Netherlands one that followed, was the superior team performance. In boxing terms Portugal would have won on points, but we chinned them a few times that day. And while they were poised most of the time nobody could say they were all over us. After a tense first half Roy scored again, after we caught them out with a quick throw in. His half volley was clever and opportunistic. This was stuff we hadn’t seen in a United shirt for a while. And at this very moment the country had the Keane they wanted. Good for his club and even better for Ireland. 

Figo equalised as was his elegant desire. But a draw meant we had hit par against them. Now the pressure was on Netherlands because of their home defeat against Figo’s team the previous October. We had three games left now. First up, Estonia away.

The goals were spread out between half a dozen players in the group and again Dunne and Holland came up with the goods. Two nil. Gloriously economical. 

Before the qualifiers started up again there was yet another match against Croatia. We had played them four times in McCarthy’s era at this stage. It was notable for being the debut of John O’Shea. Damien Duff and Clinton Morrison got their first international goals in a 2-2 draw, but Davor Suker scored another 90+ goal to deny us a positive result. It wasn’t a particular intense game. A bit silly to have the game just at the start of the domestic season. That probably explained 8 subs before the hour. 

At this point there was cautious optimism among fans but an acknowledgement of defensive frailties. September was do or die. The Netherlands had to win to stay in the group, no debate. We probably could get away with a draw and still be in with a strong shout of a play-off. But a win and maybe we could still claim top spot.

Keane got the memo. And stuffed it down Overmars throat after 40 odd seconds. It seemed he might have been harbouring some vengeance from 1998 when his long term injury had let Arsenal back into the title race. On this day, the Dutch were not callow. They outplayed us, comprehensively. The Overmars tackle has gathered moss in the time since but they should have been three nil up at half time. 

Nevertheless we survived until then at nil all and everyone in the RTE studio felt like it was so far so lucky. And we were overdue some luck. Gary Kelly was sent off for a tackle on Kluivert. Down to ten men now, surely a draw would be a great result. The Dutch battled on somehow contriving to miss chance after chance. At the other end, McCarthy had slowly been phasing out Quinn as a starting forward which was tough on Robbie who hadn’t scored since Amsterdam. He wasn’t getting a sniff. Duff was in a freer role and could get involved however. There was little belief after Kelly’s red. But there was hope. On the left hand side, we saw arguably the greatest example of Irish soccer at its very best. A perfect marriage of skill, guile and determination. Keane rounded Van Bommel (an overrated clogger) and got away to pass to Kilbane before being poleaxed by Stam. Vitally Stam had gone to ground now, perhaps out of impatient frustration. Kilbane for once didn’t dally and moved it onto Finnan. Finnan was always a clever player but the ball into the box was behind Duff who sold the recovering Stam with a clever dummy. The Dutch were pulled apart and maybe already planning their next attack with McAteer now free on the left side of the box. The boy from Birkenhead, whose career had gone off the rails at Blackburn, needed this almost as much as the nation did. He swept his right foot across the Umbro Elite Premier size 5 FIFA approved white round thing. Van der Sar was on one knee. It was in ! Bono explained the rest. 

At full time, there was a handshake between De Valera and Collins…sorry Big Mick and Roy. One game to go. Cyprus at home. 

Portugal had Andorra at home at the same time and had a superior goal difference. This game felt a tad anticlimactic knowing that even a good win would not win us the group. My overriding feeling was the fortune that Big Jack had had in his World Cup Qualifiers. We had been second best twice and that was good enough back then. Now all it was getting us was a play-off. But, unlike Germany, Belgium et al our reward for coming through the hardest group was to play a team from a lower ranked region. Iran.

Iran are statistically the strongest Asian team of all time. And in 2001 they were a decent side. The world record goalscorer Ali Daie was in situ, one of only two Iranians playing in Europe at that point (Daie was at Hertha Berlin and Mahdavidika was with Hamburg). The first leg would be in Dublin and the general consensus was we should get it done at home and then have a good lead going to Tehran. 

Tense stuff in Lansdowne. McCarthy’s third play off. Roy Keane an injury doubt. We needed a big heave. Robbie Keane got his first international goal in over a year and Harte got yet another penalty to seal a two nil win. Iran had about two or three counter attacks but we had done a job on them. Very good. Four days to the second leg. But Keane wouldn’t be travelling. If you know, you know. If you don’t, bookmark it, because you know McCarthy did. Roy was exceptional in the first leg though and would be almost irreplaceable. Another high mark in this campaign.

Onto the return leg and 105000 squeezed into the 1970s style bowl. The image of the Ayatollah stretched across the terrace facing the midfield. An optimistic 3-0 banner covered most of the terrace behind one of the goalmouths. Very few fans travelled. It was a tense evening with few chances though Given made a vital double save in the second half. I watched it via a portable TV with snowy reception in Elvery’s and in between sorting out grey and navy Le Coq Sportif hoodies noted that Iran couldn’t get any rhythm and Carsely deserved great credit for being an able deputy for Keane. A late Iranian goal was inconsequential. We were Korea and Japan bound!

2002

The new year began and as had become tradition, a series of friendlies were booked in for the spring. Russia were up first, almost six years to the day that they had turned up for McCarthy’s bow. The Russians had qualified for the summer tournament and as seemed their post Soviet routine, there were rumours of an unhappy dressing room. All was rosy in our garden however, with the team well settled now and little room for any new caps to make late arrivals before the World Cup. Colin Healy was the sole exception in midfield as he partnered his fellow Corkonian, Keane. For his part Roy now seemed quite content to play friendlies. Also from midfield, Stephen Reid scored on just his second appearance while Robbie Keane attempted to keep some goal momentum. Notably future RTE pundit Richard Sadlier made a last push for a jersey, coming on as sub. The final score was 2-0 All.was.rosy.

Next up were another fellow qualifier in the Danes. This time the rest of the squad got a run out. Players like Kiely and Morrison started with Nicky Colgan and David Connolly coming on in the second half. McAteer was in a real battle with Reid for a starting place now. The former Blackburn against the future Blackburn man. For their part Denmark looked like they had a lot of work ahead to get back some of their 90s glory. Harte, Robbie and Morrison got the goals in a 3-0 win which was as full of swagger as anything seen in McCarthy’s time. Everybody seemed comfortable with each other. The World Cup couldn’t come quick enough. 

Yet another World Cup participant was up next. And as it later proved, the USA were the strongest of all the friendly opponents. A notable element was the appearance of Ireland in an England style away kit. The navy shorts would be wisely changed by the time of the tournament.

Kinsella scored early but the Americans equalised before half time and the game seemed to be heading for a diplomatic draw when Gary Doherty nodded in with a few minutes to go. Rory Delap got a cap for the first time in two years as McCarthy gave a good impression of a man willing to keep his options open. 

One more friendly then. And another home game against Nigeria. In hindsight maybe four was too many but maybe they wanted Roy to play at least one more friendly after missing the previous two (three if you count Niall Quinn’s testimonial and you can be sure, some people did!)

And of course, the coffers were looking great with these games. Every boy and girl wanted to see the lads off before the tournament proper. The players even took part in a modern lap of honour style farewell before getting on the plane. One wonders however if certain parties were watching all this backslapping with a certain degree of cynicism. The score ended Ireland’s proud home record without defeat too. But Stephen Reid got another goal and this one was a beauty.

And now…

Saipan

Where to begin with this. Arguably the most seismic moment in the nation since the presidential election in 1990. (That’s nonsense really, there were tons of things more important in the interim years. I am merely joining in the bombast. The urge for a writer to be heard. And that my dear readers, is exactly what started the Saipan debacle.)

For sure Roy Keane had justifiable annoyances with the organisation of the trip to Japan. Officials getting treated better than the players had been happening for 50 years by then. And then the first location. A former US Army R&R island, probably fine for retirees but a strange choice for a football team, even if it was just a few days of chilling out.

Vitally the legacy of Irish media’s close friendship with the squad continued. Before the flight there was an assumption that we would get two or three biographies out of it, a silly world cup diary and potentially an MTV style doc with the footage from David Connolly’s camcorder. That would all soon look like a low estimation. There were at least ten books, twice as many documentaries, a musical and a still growing number of podcasts in the years since…and a feature film (slated to arrive in 2026*)

From the point of view of myself as an Irish media student, it was shameful. For all our criticism of English counterparts (mostly valid) a newspaper had prioritised selling their product over the potential performances of the team on the pitch. I hope the press never get that kind of access again. 

There was at least ten pages of things I could comment on. The meetings, the news articles, Roy walking his dog and then having a sit down interview with Tommy Gorman. Colin Healy getting drafted in then left out. The most peculiar one was Keane remaining in the squad according to FIFA statisticians, therefore allowing the possibility of a WWF style run-in at any point in the actual matches. Alas, it’s all been done, so now,

Onto the football.

Okay, okay…

So the first game was against Cameroon. The Indomitable Lions were highly fancied and had a squad which was stronger on paper than Italia 90, with most of their first 11 now playing in Europe’s big leagues. With Ireland depleted and maybe distracted, many fans feared the worst. 

Steve Staunton had claimed the captain’s armband and the most cynical out there felt this was his reward for his performance in the team meeting the week previously. His statesmanlike grace in subsequent press conferences cemented him for many people, though not myself to be honest. 

Cameroon scored first and looked reasonably good value on it. A Staunton error allowed Sammy Eto’o in. Stan had got away with a few howlers in the qualifiers, but was his luck finally out now?

As always seemed the case with African sides at big tournaments back then, Cameroon had their problems too. Aside from the length of their sleeves, there was the amateurism of their federation and anger amongst the players for bonus payment issues. They didn’t look right. 

Ireland came out of the tunnel for the second half with plenty of determination. McAteer who wasn’t fit (and later said so in yet another revealing Sunday news spread) came off for Finnan. Barry Davies was certainly on our side as he urged the Fulham man forward. Ireland had their foothold. They were playing nice stuff and then the breakthrough. A beautiful Matt Holland daisy cutter into the left corner. 1-1. 

Tournament games are more moments based than any league game. Chances are often few and mistakes often terminal. Harte was having a mixed game and he was one we needed to keep an eye on. Conversely Matt Holland was having the game of his life. 

Reid came in for a tiring Harte and nearly got the winner which would have been well deserved. Many had now realised that this was not a one man army after all. There was hope. Robbie Keane also came close with a stunning effort and Ireland were finishing strong. Maybe the rest in Saipan did them the world of good. 

In game two, there was huge pressure. Die Mannschaft. Three time winners and god knows how many times finalists. Even this version, which had been heavily criticised for the past four years, were formidable. In addition, unlike Jack’s era only two teams would come through the group so Ireland really had to get something while Cameroon were making light work( actually not that light) of the hapless Saudis. Germany had beaten said Saudi Arabia 8-0 in the first game where Miroslav Klose nearly wrapped up the golden boot in one game. He had another saved for us when a poor defensive set up let him in for a gift of a header. One nil germany after 20 minutes.

The Breen Staunton Axis had never really been convincing. This time it was the Coventry man at fault. Ireland now had a mountain to climb but they seemed to rally quite quickly. As for Germany, this was a less than great side, bordering on average but they had some quality. Oliver Kahn made a number of saves and was assured throughout. Ballack was calm and classy, seemingly able to effect proceedings whenever he felt like it. Conversely Jancker could count himself lucky to be playing at a World Cup. And it was ultimately a lack of quality that did for them. 

Ireland would huff and puff for over an hour. The late night heat of Ibaraki draining both sides.

Duff, all youthful energy and vigor could have equalised early in the second half but was denied by Kahn. We had no clear chances for a while after that and replacements were needed.

Quinn was hungry to make up for lost time in 1994 but was only realistically available as a sub these days. McCarthy would give him 20 minutes here in the hope he could repeat the trick of his club form with a small man beside him. We would wait and wait until beyond 90 minutes and then finally we found a way through. Quinn’s deft knockdown into the path of Robbie’s chest. He’d almost pushed it too far and had to contort his right leg into an uncomfortable movement. This was not a goal of a veteran but a young malleable body. The irrepressible Kahn finally beaten. 

Now, all was possible. Cameroon had only won 2-0 against Saudi Arabia. If we could better that we were through. The venue was our biggest one so far. And if you believed some people we might be back in three weeks for the final. 

Ireland kept the same team as for the Germany game. The poor aul Saudis were already on the plane home but actually put up some stubborn resistance at times in this one. Despite losing so heavily against the Germans there was little change to the team. In particular, their goalkeeper and captain Al-Deayea managed to keep his place and that suited us fine. Keane’s early volley could have been saved while Gary Breen got in on the act in the second half. 

In between those two goals there was little to shout about. Staunton and Breen made life needlessly difficult for themselves at times and Kinsella looked ragged after two monumental efforts in the previous games. Subs came in again with Quinn replacing Harte at half time. Alas with few crosses into the box his presence seemed pointless. On the other end the Saudi’s were quietly determined to score a goal at least but we managed to subdue them. More subs arrived including McAteer who had a mini meltdown with the fourth official and Carsley who probably should have come on earlier. In saying that Kinsella did get a pre-assist for Duff so what do I know? (very little, I know very little indeed)

The Duff goal was another shocker by the Saudi keeper. Damo took a bow after a shot creeped over the line and with Cameroon losing to Germany, were into the last 16. 

Spain next. The country was buzzing. All was rosy again. Hopelessness had been replaced by untethered optimism. Spain weren’t all that. We were already planning a QF against Korea or Italy. But we weren’t fully clicking. Harte was out of form, Kilbane was willing but limited. Staunton was pushing his body on but showing his age. We lacked pace at the back, muscle in the middle but up front for once, looked okay. Duff was fortunate to score in the previous game but his efforts had been rewarded. Likewise Robbie Keane had taking the mantle of main man on. He looked fresh and hungry. His disappointing spell in Inter long behind him. 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jun/16/minutebyminute.worldcupfootball20021

Spain scored early with yet another easy header conceded. Morientes took advantage and we were back to climbing a mountain not unlike the German game. Spain could have been out of sight soon after but were wasteful. Ireland finally found a foothold and got their reward with a penalty. Quinn had come on even earlier this time as McCarthy made his intentions clear. It was a foul on Duff that gave  Harte a chance to add to his tally. Nerves got the better of him though and Iker Casillas saved. Kilbane shanked the rebound and Spain survived…for a while longer.

The game wore on. Duff’s influence grew. Spain looked tired and unfit. Camacho sweated profusely from the bench. Ireland’s best endeavors and chances were coming from early balls but it was almost into injury time before another long free kick that finally got them back into it. This time Quinn was held down. Another penalty. This time Robbie Keane stepped up. The first non Harte penalty attempt in a few years. 

Keane calmly side footed it to the keeper’s right. Casillas didn’t even dive. Perhaps he was saving himself for later.

Extra time now and all eyes were on each team’s huddle. Who looked fresher and so on. Nobody at that point seemed to notice that Spain were down to ten men. The commentary team of Hamilton and Whelan certainly hadn’t. Worryingly McCarthy hadn’t either. And yet Ireland performed brilliantly, clearly making the most of the extra ‘mystery’ space. And yet, despite Duff’s attempts, Spain had the better chances. Neither side could find a winner and so 12 years after Genoa, we were back to the lottery of penalties.

In the time since 1990 the innocence of the shoot out had gone for a lot of Ireland fans. Having seen England lose three of them in that time, it was clear how high the stakes were. Nonetheless five volunteers were found. Keane, Holland, Connolly, Kilbane and Finnan. The first man did his stuff but then three misses left us in deep trouble. Finnan kept us in it before future Middlesboro man Mendieta sent Spain through (where they would be the victim of questionable refereeing decisions)

In the aftermath it seemed like McCarthy was more relieved than distraught. A lot of ‘we did our best’ and ‘thanks to all the people who supported us.’

He had certainly got a tune out of the squad sans Roy Keane. Many had risen to the occasion and the youngsters of Robbie Keane and Duff had distinguished themselves. Back in the studio, the air was one of quiet pride. An assurance that suggested the likes of Given, Richard Dunne, and the aforementioned attackers would have many tournaments ahead of them. If only life was that simple.