Houghton’s goal in '88? It was great, but my highlight of those glorious German days actually occurred the day before the match. It was teatime and I was going through my frankfurter-eating stage - boiled and in a roll with mustard. Anyway, while I was chomping away, up pops George Hamilton chatting to Studgart’s Chief of Police about security plans. In GERMAN! In that moment, the man became a legend.
Welcome to the alternative preview of Sunday’s match. We’ll not look at the matches themselves but what went on around them in the life of Undaunted. It’s hard to imagine but between 1988-95 Ireland played England FIVE times. There were a couple of firsts in there. Stutgart was our first championship but two years later came our first World Cup.
Of course the game was forgettable but the lead up and the wait... Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow. Oh god game day clashed with a full day-long Shakespeare exam [yes the Undaunted strategy was used....] Once 5 O’clock hit, thoughts turned to where? A pub? Hop on the bus back to the bosom of family?
Step forward Dominic West. Yes, Him. McNulty to many, currently getting extramarital in The Affair on Sky Atlantic. For some reason that I never fathomed, West got his hands on a room reserved for visiting academics to TCD so along with eight mates, and a few cans, we watched the game overlooking Trinity College's front square...
That was June. The rivalry took a darker turn in November in the same year. I remember walking through town early in the morning. There was something wrong. You could feel it in the air. A nasty feel. The match? I can’t say I remember it. Walking towards the bus at dusk, that nastiness was still in the air. The terminus was temporarily moved so i had to walk up O’Connell St. The riot squad were there before me. There was an ‘incident’ at the fountain. Shutters were coming down fast. I chickened out. There was a greasy spoon that might be an Abrakebabra now. I was in there just as the shutter went down.
It was all over in 10 minutes and I got the bus home.
Finally there was '95, 20 years ago last February. No nasty atmosphere on the streets. The pub of choice was Doyles. A typical Wednesday night. And then the riot started in the stadium.
What did our gang of football fans do? Why, we just went to another pub. Regans of Townshend St. Classy joint. Anyway, the riot cops called in after it was all over and they got a big cheer.
We love our football memories.
Enjoy Sunday. Come on you boys in green.
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