With the Ireland squad being announced this week for the Nations League games with Finland and England, we take a look at five memorable clashes versus England across the years.
England 0-2 Ireland – 21st September 1949
On 21st September 1949 at Goodison Park, Ireland defeated England 2-0 in a friendly international. The large Irish contingent in the 52,000-crowd witnessed England’s first defeat on home soil by a “foreign” team . Despite the absence of the legendary players Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortensen, England had a formidable team available, which included the likes of Billy Wright and Tom Finney. Ireland fielded seven players from the English First Division, including Johnny Carey who had just been crowned Football Writers player of the year. A first half penalty by Aston Villa’s Con Martin and a late goal by Everton’s Peter Farrell sealed the victory.
England 0-1 Ireland – 12th June 1988
In the opening game of Euro 88 Group 2, in Stuttgart, England were strong favourites against an Ireland side making its first appearance at a major finals. Yet Ireland only took six minutes to get themselves in front. A Kevin Moran free kick hit long fell to Tony Galvin. He hooked in a cross that Kenny Sansom ballooned up into the air, John Aldridge headed it to Ray Houghton and he looped a header over Peter Shilton and into the net. In the second half Ireland held firm, with Pat Bonner performing heroics to keep the 1-0 lead intact. Ireland’s tactics were spot on against Bobby Robson’s men, not pretty but highly effective. “You have to have the ball to be able to play with it,” Big Jack explained. “We decided not to let England have it. Simple as that.” The stuff of legend.
England 1-1 Ireland – 11th June 1990
In the magical summer of Italia 90, Ireland and England met again at a major final’s tournament, this time in Cagliari. England got off to a flier when Gary Lineker chested down a Chris Waddle pass and forced the ball into the net after only 8 minutes. But as the game wore on, Ireland grew in stature. In the 73rd minute Ireland equalised when substitute Steve McMahon lost control of the ball, Kevin Sheedy nipped in and drove a left footed pile driver into the net. The game was not a classic, but Ireland got a vital point to help propel them into the second round and that famous penalty shootout win against Romania.
England 1-1 Ireland – 27th March 1991
Lee Dixon opened the scoring (with his only international goal) after his shot from the edge of the box deflected off of Steve Staunton and into the net. Niall Quinn though netted a 27th minute equaliser. Ray Houghton missed a great chance 10 minutes from time to secure a win that a fine Ireland performance deserved. “Coming here, I would gladly have settled for a point and yet I feel just a little disappointed,” said Charlton after the game. “We dominated the game in the second half and we may yet live to regret the fact that we didn’t make that superiority count.” Big Jack was right, as Ireland missed out on Euro 92, finishing just a point behind England in qualifying.
England 1-1 Ireland – 29th May 2013
With Italian football legend Giovani Trapattoni in charge, Ireland came to Wembley to take on England in a friendly. Ireland took the lead in the 13th minute from a Shane Long header off a cross by Seamus Coleman. England hit back in the 23rd minute through Frank Lampard after clever work by Daniel Sturridge. Ireland put in a solid performance, led by the impressive Coleman, although they did need two fine late saves by David Forde from Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain and Theo Walcott to earn the draw. The large contingent of away fans were happy to celebrate maintaining a then 28-year unbeaten record against England.