Paul McGrath’s shirt adorns the wall in his home alongside those of Cruyff, Pele, Best and Charlton. Upon learning of the passing of the footballing icon, McGrath tweeted “RIP Eusebio, when greats were great.” The death of the Black Pearl raises memories of Eusebio’s special affection for Ireland and particularly our own Black Pearl of Inchicore.
The 1994 World Cup in America was the first for Luke Constable of the brilliantly named RGSOAS (Ruud Gullit Sitting on a Shed). His native England hadn’t qualified but thanks to his Irish grandfather, Luke was rooting for the Republic. Having missed the full game with Italy, the myth around the match had grown. Houghton’s goal and McGrath’s performance became legendary as the years went on. Luke has never seen the game in its entirety…until now.
Davey Blackett is illustrating a different footballer every day up to next year’s World Cup kicking off on June 12. His Irish contingent is growing with Roy Keane, Liam Brady, and the latest additions, George Best, Paul McGrath, and Robbie Keane.
A few years ago, Alex Ferguson came to speak to a packed lecture hall in UCD and for the hundreds of students who sat enthralled, regardless of their footballing allegiances, they were united in respect and admiration.
Póg Mo Goal World Cup 94 Collection – The World Is Yours
God has descended from his heavenly throne to impart some words of wisdom for Irish football fans in despair.
They were the pioneers. After decades of heartache, the Republic of Ireland appeared at a major football finals for the first time in 1988. Twenty-four years on, we’re back, but many of Jack’s original Boys in Green can still be seen on our TV screens as pundits. Póg Mo Goal takes an offside look back and asks; the heroes of Euro ’88, where are they now?
While most of the globe celebrates all things Irish in March, Four Four Two made a major boo-boo this month. The normally respected publication dedicated their entire issue to foreign players in the Premier League and omitted all Irish entries.
Richard Dunne has been named FAI Senior Player of the Year joining Irish legend and deity Paul McGrath by winning the gong for a second time, a feat also achieved by Roy Keane and Shay Given.
