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Nostalgia

21 reasons why the 80s were the best sporting decade

The Irish team could be heroes just for one tournament, and other memories.

1. “You cannot be serious” became a thing

YouTube credit: davemings

‘SuperBrat’ lived up to his nickname.

2. Wimbledon’s ‘Crazy Gang’ beat Liverpool to win the FA Cup

(Pic: Bob Dear/AP/Press Association Images).

3. THAT snooker final between Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor was played

YouTube credit: pinkisntwell2

Epic doesn’t begin to describe it.

4. Barry McGuigan was sensational

YouTube credit: fightfilms1

And he made us all cry with his post-fight interview.

5. ‘Joxer Goes to Stuttgart’ and all the Euro 88 shenanigans enlivened the country

Ray put the ball in the English net (Pic: Peter Robinson/EMPICS Sport).

6. And THIS goal happened

YouTube credit: GardenGoals

Marco van Genius…

7. Stephen Roche actually won the Tour de France

Martyn Irvine was SO yesterday (Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland)

8. Seamus Darby ruined Kerry’s five-in-a-row dream

And Offaly, yes Offaly, won the All-Ireland (Pic: INPHO).

9. Moustaches were practically mandatory

People didn’t come much cooler than Mark Lawrenson back then (Pic: Peter Robinson/EMPICS Sport).

10. The first proper International Rules Test happened

And it wasn’t exactly a diplomatic affair (INPHO/Billy Stickland).

11. Ireland were quite good at rugby

They even won the Triple Crown in the Five Nations for once (Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland).

12. And they weren’t bad at football either

YouTube credit: FatherTed2006

It was also possibly the most excitement Liam Brady has ever shown.

13. Diego Maradona used all his genius and cunning to pretty much single-handedly defeat England

Yet some England fans remained unimpressed – especially that topless guy with the sunglasses (Pic: Peter Robinson/EMPICS Sport).

14. John Treacy exhausted us all

What does he want, a medal? (Pic: INPHO\Allsport)

15. Someone called Michael Jordan started playing basketball

Did somebody say greatest athlete of all time? (Pic: Eric Risberg/AP/Press Association Images)

16. New Zealand hosted the first-ever Rugby World Cup

And the All Blacks managed to not mess things up, as they invariably did thereafter (Pic: ROSS LAND/AP/Press Association Images).

17. Shamrock Rovers couldn’t stop winning

Despite occasionally fielding zombies (Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland).

18. The greatest hurling goal of all time was scored

YouTube credit: dapos

Fentastic!

19. Chris Waddle got the worst haircut ever

What's that on back of his head? Oh right, it's his hair (Phil O'Brien/EMPICS Sport).

20. And as if that wasn't enough, he also released the worst pop single ever

YouTube credit: rignellio

My ears! My ears!

21. And of course, the fight to end all fights took place

We really didn't think Rocky could pull through this time (Pic via whatculture).

What have we missed? Let us know in the comments section below.

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