The Germany game was the defining moment of the Republic of Ireland’s EURO 2016 campaign. For older viewers the equivalent perhaps of September 1st 2001 at Lansdowne Road for Mick McCarthy when unmissable goal chances Patrick Kluivert, Marc Overmars and Cocu ensured the Republic of Ireland made it to Japan and Korea in 2002. On this occasion at the AVIVA it was Thomas Mueller, Marco Reus and Mezut Ozil who obliged for Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane. Guaranteeing that O’Neill’s unbeaten record against the divided and united Germany - as both a player and manager – remained intact.
It was those three points, along with the defeat of Scotland in Glasgow to Poland that resurrected a lost campaign and proved this teams Gary McKay moment. With Jonathan Walters now the new Jason McAteer.
For McCarthy it was the tactics of Louis van Gaal that proved the undoing of the Clockwork Orange years ago and their failure to reach the world cup finals. Given Portugal topped the group – not surprisingly - with a side boasting Figo, Rui Costa, and Sa Pinto. For Ireland though it was tales of the unexpected with a victory of the kind this mad footballing nation can count on with one hand. Giants Stadium in 1994 World Cup against Italy. Or Stuttgart during EURO1988 against England. Both games part of the “Put them under pressure” legend that is Jack Charlton OBE DL.
But that was all then and we need to live in the now.
For this new generation there is an opportunity to taste a major tournament football as only a handful of those who travelled to Poland and Ukraine in 2012 remain eligible. Those warriors could include Robbie Keane, John O’Shea, Graham Whelan, Stephen Ward, and James McClean. Shane Long, Aiden McGeady and Shane Long. But next summer may prove a few months too far for a number of them. None more so than Robbie Keane and Shay Given who will face their own Liam Brady type moment. As the Whitehall man never managed it to EURO 1988 due to both age and injury. Nor indeed did another long-time servant Frank Stapleton with both only able to join as official supporters at best.
For O’Neill though it finally adds to a CV that was potentially destined to remain rather average with the qualified success at Celtic fading into the twilight. Along with his sidekick Roy Keane, a coach who has been unable attract anything other than hyperbole over the years rather than results. His tenure at Ipswich the last occasion he was tempted into club management. At this rate he may prove the natural successor to O’Neill - the day the Derryman decides to stand down - and finally initiate a sort of succession planning by default for Irish football.
For the moment though it is the Younger players such as Ciaran Clarke and Jeff Hendricks who are being offered a bigger stage to show off their skills. A just reward also for Seamus Coleman as he was only on standby for Giovanni Trapattoni back in 2012. As were Andy Keogh, Darren Randolph. For some others like Robbie Brady it can prove he is still destined for greet things – even at the age of 24. Despite having not fulfilled his promised at Manchester United when he was fist signed at 16 years of age. Or indeed Wes Hoolahan who even at 33 years of age can prove that those formative years at Shelbourne in the League of Ireland were invaluable.
Whatever lies ahead with the EURO 2016 draw on December 12th it is clear that a new batch of Republic of Ireland warriors who got the nation to the majors after reporting for duty during an arduous campaign. It has also been done by a manager more capable of adapting formations than the very predictable format proffered by Trapattoni. But in fairness Il Trap as brought into to shore up what proved a sadly disastrous era for Steve Staunton and the now gone Sir Bobby Robson. In fact a calamitous end for one of the Republics best ever servants on the field of play with marauding runs up and down the left flank. Either as a midfielder or left back.
But such are the demands of international football that results matter and the qualification for EURO 2016 ensures the coffers of the Football Association of Ireland will be refilled with marketing partnerships, merchandising opportunities and newfound sponsors. Not forgetting the match ticket sales which are easy coinage to the FAI given a nation of fans so willing to follow their team to the ends of the earth. All the more so given the games are in France. Albeit the evens in Paris have in many ways taken the shine off those thoughts of a few weeks in the sunny Saint Tropez, Nice or Marseille.
With Northern Ireland also travelling it begs the question can both teams meet each other next summer. But the answer is no as along with Wales they are seeded as pot four teams and so could only meet in the later stages. However England remain possible opponents for the two Ireland's or Wales. With such matters eagerly anticipated on December 12th when the draw is finally made.
There have been only a couple of meetings with England at this level. The most notable in June 1998 when Ray Houghton’s header gave Charlton’s Ireland a historic win over his home nation in the Neckarstadion in Stuttgart. At Italia 1990 both teams met again in Cagliari in the Group F round robin matches with Gary Lineker and Kevin Sheedy securing the 1-1 draw. It remains to be seen what the summer of 2016 in France may bring the Republic of Ireland.
Meanwhile guess who just got back today…..
Them wild-eyed boys that had been away
Haven't changed that much to say.
But man, I still think them cats are crazy
They were askin' if you were around
How you was, where you could be found
Told 'em you were livin' downtown
Drivin' all the old men crazy
The boys are back in town!
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