IT’S UNDOUBTEDLY ONE of Irish football’s greatest hours. Ray Houghton stuck the ball in Gianluca Pagliuca’s net and Ireland beat the Azzurri 1-o at the 1994 World Cup.

Now it seems, Giovanni Trapattoni may lead out his side against his native country at the New Meadlowlands Stadium this summer.

Ireland are likely to have two end-of-season friendlies in the states after the June showdown away to Macedonia. It’s hoped one will be a replay of the famous game 17 years ago.

RTÉ report: “No details have yet been confirmed, but it is understood that Trapattoni’s side are likely to face the Italians at Meadowlands on 11 June, the new venue on the site of the former New York Giants Stadium where Ireland famously defeated the Azzurri at the 1994 World Cup.”

The second game is likely to be against either European or South American opposition. Trap is keen to spend time with the fringe players in the set-up.

Check out our liveblog from the Aviva Stadium as Ireland welcome Uruguay tonight