Irish Classics
Ireland 1992–94 and USA 94: The Shirts That Beat Italy
2 min read
Ireland qualified for USA 94 with a draw in Belfast, then beat Italy 1-0 in New Jersey with a goal from Ray Houghton. Two jerseys cover that run: the 1992-94 shirts from the qualifying campaign, and the USA 94 shirts from the tournament itself.
Windsor Park, November 1993
Ireland needed a result in Belfast. Northern Ireland went ahead on 71 minutes through a Jimmy Quinn volley, and five minutes later Alan McLoughlin hit a shot from the edge of the box into the corner. It finished 1-1.
With Denmark losing to Spain in the other game, the draw was enough. Ireland went to the World Cup as runners-up in the group.
The 1992–94 shirts
The 1992-94 home is the green jersey with Opel across the chest, worn through that qualifying campaign. The away is white with green detailing.
These are the shirts from the road to America. We stock both.
Giants Stadium, 18 June 1994
Ireland's first game was against Italy at Giants Stadium. After 11 minutes Ray Houghton took a ball on the edge of the box and chipped it over Gianluigi Pagliuca. It stayed 1-0.
It was Ireland's first win in a World Cup finals match.
Orlando and the last 16
Mexico won the next game 2-1 in Orlando, after leading 2-0 with 65 minutes gone. Ireland then drew 0-0 with Norway at Giants Stadium, and that point was enough to reach the last 16.
The Netherlands knocked them out 2-0 in Orlando.
The USA 94 shirts
The home is emerald green with a bold black geometric pattern and tricolour trim at the collar. The away is white with three broad green stripes, the FAI crest and the Opel sponsor.
Sizes run S to 2XL, and the size guide has measurements.
Quick answers
- Who scored for Ireland against Italy at USA 94?
- Ray Houghton, after 11 minutes at Giants Stadium on 18 June 1994. It finished 1-0.
- How did Ireland qualify for USA 94?
- A 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland at Windsor Park in November 1993. Alan McLoughlin scored the equaliser, and Ireland went through as group runners-up.
- Who knocked Ireland out of USA 94?
- The Netherlands, 2-0 in Orlando in the last 16.
- Was Ireland's USA 94 away shirt sponsored?
- The version we sell has the Opel sponsor, with the FAI crest and three green stripes.
