Irish Classics
Ireland at Euro 88: The Shirt From Stuttgart
2 min read
Ireland's first major tournament was Euro 88 in West Germany. They beat England 1-0 in the opening game, drew with the USSR and lost to the Netherlands to a goal nine minutes from the end. The green jersey from that summer is where it all started.
Stuttgart, 12 June 1988
Ireland opened against England. After six minutes a cross wasn't cleared and Ray Houghton looped a header over Peter Shilton. It finished 1-0.
England were one of the favourites. Ireland had never played at a major finals before.
Hanover and Gelsenkirchen
Against the USSR in Hanover, Ronnie Whelan volleyed Ireland ahead, and Oleh Protasov equalised for a 1-1 draw.
The last game was against the Netherlands in Gelsenkirchen. Paul McGrath hit a Dutch post at one end. At the other, Wim Kieft headed in after 82 minutes.
The shirt
Emerald green with white and orange trim. It was Jack Charlton's first major tournament as manager, and it set up everything that followed, from Italia 90 to USA 94.
We stock the home, in sizes S to 2XL.
Quick answers
- Who scored Ireland's winner against England at Euro 88?
- Ray Houghton, with a header after six minutes in Stuttgart on 12 June 1988.
- Who scored for Ireland against the USSR at Euro 88?
- Ronnie Whelan. The game finished 1-1.
- Who knocked Ireland out of Euro 88?
- The Netherlands, 1-0 in Gelsenkirchen, with Wim Kieft scoring after 82 minutes.
