THERE IS NOTHING like a spot of sporting nostalgia to make you feel old.
On 31 March 1993, Jack Charlton’s Ireland beat Billy Bingham’s Northern Ireland 3-0 at Lansdowne Road.
The result put Ireland well on course for the USA ’94 World Cup but they would need an Alan McLoughlin equaliser in the return tie to ensure qualification.
Back in a rain-soaked Lansdowne Road, 20 years ago to the day, Ireland hit the front through an Andy Townsend strike.
Niall Quinn doubled the lead with ‘a typical Niall Quinn finish’ from a Ray Houghton cross.
Charlton admitted after the game that he would have liked more goals in the second-half but remarked, “It’s very rare in football when you come in three goals up at half-time.”
The game’s stand-out moment was delivered when Steve Staunton wrapped in a corner kick that bamboozled the Northern Ireland defence [match features from 4:00 onwards]:
YouTube credit: gordinnium
Asked if World Cup qualification was guaranteed after the result, Charlton responded, “You’re having a laugh. You never know with this team.”
What are your memories from the game?
