Irish Classics
Ireland at Italia 90: The Green Jersey That Stopped a Nation
Updated 2 min read
Ask anyone in Ireland over forty where they watched the Romania penalties and they'll tell you. In the summer of 1990, Jack Charlton's side reached a World Cup quarter-final at the country's first attempt, and the green jersey from that tournament has meant something ever since.
The group
Ireland opened against England in Cagliari on 11 June 1990. Gary Lineker put England ahead, and Kevin Sheedy equalised in the 73rd minute to make it 1-1. Pubs from Donegal to Kerry lost the run of themselves.
Draws with Egypt and the Netherlands followed, both scrappy, and Ireland went through without winning a game. Nobody at home cared.
Romania, Genoa
The last-16 game against Romania finished 0-0 after extra time. In the shoot-out, Packie Bonner saved from Daniel Timofte.
David O'Leary, who'd barely featured under Charlton, walked up to take the last penalty. He scored, and George Hamilton's 'The nation holds its breath' is still one of the best-known lines in Irish commentary.
Rome
Before the quarter-final, the squad met Pope John Paul II in Rome. Italy were next, in front of their own crowd, and Salvatore Schillaci scored the only goal.
The team flew home to a welcome that filled the streets from the airport into the city centre. 'Put 'Em Under Pressure' was number one in the charts, and half the country could sing it.
The jersey
Deep green with a tonal pattern, three white stripes on the sleeves and a white and orange V-neck, with the FAI crest on the chest. FIFA doesn't allow sponsors on World Cup match shirts, so the version with Opel across the front is the one fans bought and wore.
The squad that wore it included Paul McGrath, Ray Houghton, John Aldridge, Niall Quinn and Packie Bonner. We have the home and the white away.
Quick answers
- Who scored Ireland's goal against England at Italia 90?
- Kevin Sheedy, in the 73rd minute. It finished 1-1.
- Who scored the winning penalty against Romania?
- David O'Leary, after Packie Bonner saved from Daniel Timofte.
- Who knocked Ireland out of Italia 90?
- Italy, 1-0 in the quarter-final in Rome, with Salvatore Schillaci scoring.
