On this day (8th October 2015) Ireland stunned the then World Champions Germany with an astonishing 1-0 European Championship qualifying win. Under the lights in Lansdowne Road, there was an electrifying atmosphere. It was a special night that brings back great memories.
Few would have predicted an Ireland victory prior to the match, but the win left qualification for Euro 2016 in their own hands, ensuring at least a play-off spot for Martin O’Neill’s men.
Germany began the match in ominous fashion, dominating possession from the off. Ilkay Gundogan should have opened the scoring after 13 minutes, but his effort was blocked by John O’Shea. Then Richard Keogh stopped a cross by Matthias Ginter to prevent Mario Göetze diverting the ball into an empty goal.
Germany eventually did find the back of the net as Mesut Özil steered the ball home but the linesman was perfectly positioned to disallow the goal for offside. Ireland had a chance on 34 minutes when Wes Hoolahan fashioned an opportunity for Jonathan Walters, but his shot was blocked by Toni Kroos and the ball was diverted into the side netting.
Germany maintained the pressure and five minutes before the break Özil got on the end of a Thomas Müller cross but he placed his effort wide of the left post. Irelands cause was not helped when Shay Given went off just prior to half time with a knee injury, the Donegal man being replaced by Darren Randolph.
The second half began in a similar fashion. Firstly, Andre Schurrle had a long-range effort which went wide of the goal. Germany then almost went ahead when a Neuer long kick sent Marco Reus down the left wing, he cut inside and teed up Schurrle who could not apply the finish as he volleyed over the bar.
In the 64th minute Wes Hoolahan slalomed his way to the edge of the box, his effort was blocked, but the ball broke for Daryl Murphy and his shot went wide of the left-hand post. The longer the game remained goalless, the more confident the boys in green became. Like a sixth sense, Ireland fans began to believe. Shane Long was introduced in the 65th minute in place of the hard-working Murphy, and he was soon to deliver a goal for the ages.
On 70 minutes, Randolph’s long clearance sailed over the half-way line and bounced between the German back line. Long raced through one on one with Neuer, his first touch set himself up perfectly and he blasted an unstoppable shot into the left side of the net with his right foot. What a moment – and cue pandemonium in the stands. Long was mobbed by his teammates as Germany were stunned to go behind after dominating the match.
Müller had an opportunity to equalise for Germany eight minutes later, but he somehow struck the ball wide despite being unmarked, centre of goal and just 12 yards out. Heart in mouth stuff. Ireland fans then started to believe that this just might be their night.
Jerome Boateng and Gundogan then drew two good saves from Randolph, and Germanys final chance was a tame header by Hummels. Ireland defended heroically, seeing out four minutes of injury time. When the final whistle arrived the capacity crowd went into a frenzy as they celebrated a famous win. Everyone who was there that evening appreciated that they had just witnessed something really extraordinary.
The hero of the hour, Shane Long rightfully described the result as “Amazing.” After the match he said, “The gaffer sent me on with 30 minutes to go and you could see that Germany were getting frustrated and there was a bit of space in behind them when we broke. That is exactly what I want when I come on the pitch and I got the touch out in front of me and I knew I had to hit it hard to get it past Neuer. You can tell by the reaction in the stadium how much it meant to the team and to the whole country. To be a part of tonight was amazing and to get the winning goal was extra special.” It was extra special indeed. A sensational night in Irish football history that will ‘long’ live in the memory!
