More Stories
Turn back time

Quiz: How well do you remember Ireland's play-off history?

Test your memory ahead of Thursday’s clash with Czechia.
1.02pm, 24 Mar 2026

Who beat Ireland in their first-ever play-off as they failed to qualify for the 1966 World Cup?
England
Spain

France
Germany
Any idea which Dutch player scored a brace at Anfield to deny Ireland qualification for Euro 1996?
Dennis Bergkamp
Clarence Seedorf

Jordi Cruyff
Patrick Kluivert
Who scored Ireland's goal in the first leg of their 1998 World Cup play-off loss to Belgium?
Denis Irwin
Ray Houghton

Tony Cascarino
David Connolly
What was the scoreline as Turkey beat Ireland to Euro 2000 on away goals?
3-3
2-2

1-1
4-4
Fifth time lucky! Who did Ireland overcome to reach the 2002 World Cup?
Iraq
Slovakia

Slovenia
Iran
The 2010 World Cup play-off is best remembered for Thierry Henry's handball, but who scored Ireland's opener in Paris?
Damien Duff
Kevin Doyle

Robbie Keane
Keith Andrews
Ireland beat Estonia 5-1 over two legs on their way to Euro 2012. What was the scoreline at the midpoint?
3-0
3-1

4-1
4-0
Which player scored twice in Ireland's Euro 2016 play-off success over Bosnia?
Robbie Brady
Jonathan Walters

Wes Hoolahan
Shane Long
Let's not remind ourselves of the scoreline of the 2018 World Cup play-off against Denmark, but who bagged Ireland's early goal at Aviva Stadium?
Shane Duffy
Cyrus Christie

James McClean
Jeff Hendrick
And finally, who did the Ireland women's team beat to reach their first-ever major tournament in the 2023 World Cup?
Scotland
Wales

Iceland
Greece
Answer all the questions to see your result!
You scored out of !
Gold
Top of the pile, you really know your stuff on Ireland's play-off history.
Share your result:
You scored out of !
Silver
Not too bad at all. So close to the gold medal.
Share your result:
You scored out of !
Bronze
Hard luck. Hopefully that won't be the case for Ireland on Thursday!
Share your result:
You scored out of !
Wooden Spoon
Well now. There's not much we can say about that...
Share your result:

Author
View comments
Send Tip or Correction
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel

     
    The 42 supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie