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unusual facts about Republic of Ireland national football team



1966–67 in English football

Noel Cantwell, 35-year-old Manchester United and Ireland international full-back, joined the club in 1960 from West Ham United and was captain of the 1963 FA Cup winning side.

Albie Murphy

He also won one cap for Ireland on 19 October 1955, playing in a 4–1 defeat to Yugoslavia at Dalymount Park in a friendly international.

All-seater stadium

Either temporary seats have to be installed (as is the case with Croke Park, home to the Republic of Ireland national team during the Lansdowne Road redevelopment), or the standing areas must be converted to seating (as is the case with several of the larger stadiums in Germany, many of which were used in an all-seater configuration for the 2006 FIFA World Cup).

Ally's Tartan Army

It became "We're all part of Jackie's army" in Put 'Em Under Pressure, a Republic of Ireland song for the 1990 World Cup.

Ballyboden

Republic of Ireland football player Damien Duff is from the locality as was Australian Football League player and Brownlow Medallist Jim Stynes.

Bobby Duffy

He won his one and only senior cap and scored for the Ireland on May 10, 1950 in a 5-1 defeat to Belgium in Brussels.

Boylesports

The Football Association of Ireland, which incorporates the Ireland national team and the League of Ireland announced Boylesports as their Official Betting Partner from August 2008 – 2013.

Ciarán Martyn

Signed from UCD by Kevin Mahon, Martyn has played at numerous under-age levels for the Republic of Ireland.

Combat 18

The most high profile incident involving Combat 18 members in football came on 15 February 1995, when violence broke out in the stands at Lansdowne Road in the international friendly between the Republic of Ireland and England.

Damien Richardson

He is now a regular pundit on Monday Night Soccer on Raidió Teilifís Éireann, and is also a regular contributor to RTÉ Radio's coverage of Republic of Ireland international matches.

Eircom Park

Plans for Eircom Park were first announced in January 1999 while Republic of Ireland were playing home games at Lansdowne Road, owned by the IRFU.

Gonzalo Jara

He was chosen by coach Nelson Acosta to play for Chile during their 2006 tour through Europe where they played the Republic of Ireland in Dublin, Côte d'Ivoire in Toulon and Sweden in Stockholm all only months before the 2006 World Cup

Here Come the Good Times

"Here Come the Good Times" was re-recorded by members of the Irish soccer squad, and various Irish celebrities and boy band members for use as the official Irish 2002 World Cup anthem.

Jack's Heroes

"Jack's Heroes" was a single released by The Pogues & The Dubliners in 1990, composed by tin whistle player Spider Stacy about the Republic Of Ireland football squad, then managed by Jack Charlton.

Joe Waters

On 13 October 1976, he made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland national football team in a friendly match against Turkey in Ankara.

John-Joe O'Toole

O'Toole qualifies for the Republic of Ireland through his grandparents, who were born in Mayo.

Keeley Donovan

Her father, Terry Donovan, played professional football, briefly representing the Republic of Ireland at international level.

Kris Renton

He spent some time away though, being named in the Ireland Under 17s for a European Under 17 Championship qualifying tournament in Baku in Autumn 2006, but made his debut at that level for Scotland Under 17s in February 2007 against Northern Ireland.

Lee Carsley

Carsley qualifies for the Republic of Ireland national team through his grandmother, who is from Dunmanway, County Cork.

Leon Best

Best qualifies to play for the Republic of Ireland through his mother, who is from Bluebell, Dublin.

Lukas Jutkiewicz

In addition to his country of birth, England, Jutkiewicz is also eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland through his Irish grandmother, and Poland by way of his Polish grandfather, although the player has made no decision on which country to represent.

Mattie Clarke

He won his one and only senior cap for the Ireland on 10 May 1950 in a 5-1 defeat to Belgium in Brussels.

Murder of Shane Geoghegan

A charity was launched in honour of Shane Geoghegan in October 2009 by his mother and former Ireland soccer international and CEO of Sunderland AFC Niall Quinn.

Nehemias Folan

Caleb Folan, is a Republic of Ireland forward, who made his senior debut against Cyprus in October 2008.

Neil Maddison

On 5 October 2009, the former Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton took over as the new permanent manager until the end of that season with the former Sunderland coach Kevin Richardson as his assistant.

Pat Dunne

Dunne made his debut for the Republic of Ireland in a World Cup qualifier against Spain at Dalymount Park in May 1965.

Richard Knopper

In May 2002, Knopper had a trial with English Premier League side Sunderland and played in that predicament in the Niall Quinn testimonial match with the Republic of Ireland on the 14th.

Sean Cusack

He made his one and only appearance for the Republic of Ireland national football team on 16 November 1952 in a 1-1 draw with France at Dalymount Park.

Sesa Football Academy

Former Ireland International Terry Phelan is the Football Development Manager for SESA Football Academy.

Shay Gibbons

In May 1952, only 15 months after playing non league football, Gibbons made his debut for the Republic of Ireland senior team in Cologne against Germany.

Steven Reid

Despite representing England at junior levels, Reid decided to play full international football for the Republic of Ireland, whom he qualifies to play for through his father who was born in County Galway.

The Fields of Anfield Road

Before being adapted by Liverpool supporters it was, and still is, sung in its original form by supporters of Ireland and Celtic, as well as GAA teams and the Ireland, Munster and London Irish rugby union teams.

Tom Humphries

His received international attention in May 2002 for his interview of Irish football player Roy Keane on the island of Saipan while the Irish football team were preparing to take part in the 2002 football World Cup.

Viktor Chanov

He was yet again a reserve for the USSR at Euro 88 in West Germany, appearing once as a 69th-minute substitute against the Republic of Ireland after Dasaev was injured while making a challenge on Tony Galvin.


see also

Sean Thomas

Seán Thomas, former manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team