Group E - Republic of Ireland V Italy
New York, June 18th - Giants Stadium
Republic of Ireland 1 (Houghton) v 0 Italy
Probably one of the best performances ever from Paul McGrath in an Ireland shirt, and the entire team for that matter. Who put the ball in the Italian net...Hougton...Hougton... .One of the most notable aspects of USA 94' was that of the intense heat and humidity affecting the entire European stage of professional footballers in the tournament. It was Razor again, and the songs were sung again and again and again and again.
Republic of Ireland Squad
Bonner (Goalkeeper), Irwin, McGrath, Babb, Phelan, Sheridan, Keane, Townsend, Staunton, Houghton (Sub McAteer), Coyne (Sub Aldridge).
ITALY
Pagliuca, Tassotti, Costacurta, Baresi, Maldini, Albertini, D.Baggio, Donadoni, Evani (Massaro), R.Baggio, Signori (Berti).
Attendance: 73.511
Group E - Republic of Ireland v Mexico
Orlando, June 24th - Citrus Bowl
Republic of Ireland 1 (Aldridge 84) v 2 Mexico (Garcia 44, 66)
As perviously mentioned, the humidity. We were not prepared for the conditions of those that were experienced(100+ degrees'). Jack Charlton tried to throw bottles of water to his men and was subsequently banned from the touch-line. John Aldridge got a goal back for the Republic of Ireland, but it was a situation of too little too late. Without Aldos late strike in the Orlando midday furnace, we woul d noe have gone through on goal difference to the last 16
Republic of Ireland Squad
Bonner(Goalkeeper), Irwin, McGrath, Babb, Phelan, Sheridan, Keane, Townsend, Staunton (Sub Aldridge), Houghton, Coyne (Sub McAteer).
MEXICO
Campos, Suarez, Ramirez Perales, Bernal, J.Rodriguez (Sub Salvador), Ambriz, Del Olmo, L.Garcia, Garcia Aspe, Hermosillo (Sub Gutierrez), Alves Zague.
Attendance: 76.322
Group E - Republic of Ireland v Norway
New York, June 28th - Giants Stadium
Republic of Ireland 0 v 0 Norway
The affect of the tempratures was divided between two teams, with neither coming out as would be deserving winners of this game. Ended in a 0-0 draw, we came close to scoring with John Sheridan chipping Norways Thorstvedt but failing to get the ball to drop under the cross bar.
Republic of Ireland Squad
Bonner, G.Kelly, McGrath, Babb, Sheridan, Keane, Townsend, Staunton, Houghton, McAteer, Aldridge (D.Kelly).
NORWAY
Thorstvedt, Halle (Jakobsen), Bratseth, Johnsen, Berg, Bjørnebye, Flo, Mykland, Rekdal, Leonhardsen (Bohinen), Sørloth.
Attendance: 76.322
Second Round - Republic of Ireland v Holland
Orlando, July 4th - Citrus Bowl
Republic of Ireland 0 v 2 Holland (Bergkamp 10, Jonk 40)
After finishing second in the group, Ireland progressed onto the second stage to play Holland. We simply could not break them down, after Bergkamp netted for the Dutch on the 10th minute and Jonk got their 2nd on the 40th. We fought like demons in the second half but could not get enough into their penalty area. The World cup dream was over, but it was an overall Irish World Cup experience that will never be forgotten.
Republic of Ireland Squad
Bonner(Goalkeeper), G.Kelly, McGrath, Babb, Phelan, Houghton, Keane, Townsend, Sheridan, Staunton (Sub McAteer), Coyne (Sub Cascarino).
HOLLAND
De Goey, Koeman, Valckx, F.de Boer, Witschge (Numan), Rijkaard, Jonk, Winter, Overmars, Bergkamp, Van Vossen (Roy).
Attendance: 61.355
