10. Robbie Keane v Germany, World Cup 2002

AFTER SAIPAN – SORRY – this was the pressure release valve that all Irish fans needed in 2002 and, much as it continues to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, Ireland still had to go out a few days later and beat Saudia Arabia by two clear goals to secure qualification to the knockout stages.

9. Kevin Sheedy v England, World Cup 1990

Like Keane, Sheedy’s goal only slips so far down the list because of what Ireland had to do afterwards. However, Bonner’s hoofed long ball and the confusion in the English defence aside, this was a brilliant finish from Sheedy to start Ireland’s first ever World Cup campaign with a more than respectable point.

8. Ray Houghton v Italy, World Cup 1994

USA 94 provided Ireland with the perfect chance to exact revenge on Italy for Schillaci and the millions of hearts he broke in the quarter-finals four years earlier. With a loss and a draw coming in the final two group games, the three points from Houghton’s chip would prove decisive.

7. Jason McAteer v Holland, World Cup 2002 qualifying

How McAteer was left unmarked at the far post remains a mystery nearly 15 years later but Irish fans weren’t complaining as the Sunderland midfielder fired home from the left side of the area to bolster Ireland’s chances of making it to the 2002 World Cup.

6.  Shane Long v Germany, Euro 2016 qualifying

Before the world champions came to town, most Irish fans had written off our chances of qualification for Euro 2016 after a pair of poor results against the Scots. Shane Long had other ideas, however, and took full advantage of his opportunity to send the Aviva into raptures.

5. Niall Quinn v Holland, World Cup 1990

There’s a bit of theme developing with these goals involving a long ball hoofed up from defence that has somehow fallen into the lap of an Irish player. That said, Irish fans were not complaining as the Mighty Quinn’s close range effort ensured qualification for the knockout stages of the World Cup at the very first attempt.

4. Alan McLoughlin v Northern Ireland, World Cup 1994 qualifying

‘Toxic’ is always the word that comes up when players involved in this World Cup qualifier in Belfast are asked to describe the atmosphere that night. But, with a place in the USA on the line, McLoughlin kept his head when all around could have lost theirs, to send Ireland back to the World Cup.

3. Robbie Brady v Italy, Euro 2016

https://www.facebook.com/skangster/videos/1224698177548995/

Maybe we’re suffering from recency bias here but Ireland’s record of getting a result when we absolutely have to is not great so we’ll take it when we get it. The role played by Wes Hoolahan just moments after he missed a sitter himself cannot be understated but Brady’s bravery was rewarded in spades.

2. Ray Houghton v England, Euro 1988

A first-ever major tournament and Ireland get drawn against ‘the old enemy’. Considering everything that was at stake, this whole performance could go down as brilliant but, to secure an inaugural tournament win at the very first attempt, the man who put the ball in the back of the English net deserves his spot in the top three.

1. David O’Leary v Romania, World Cup 1990

The nation held its breath. And O’Leary delivered.

Disagree, of course you do, let us know who you’d have number one and why in the comments below.

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