Republic of Ireland seek new generation of heroes against Italy

O'Neill is confident his team can pull off an upset Credit: REX 

The Republic of Ireland’s victory over Italy at the World Cup in 1994 is a gilded memory that offers a glimmer of hope all is not lost at this European Championship.

Ray Houghton’s extravagant swish of his left boot, in New York, 22 years ago is chiselled into Irish football history, a famous goal that secured one of the nation’s most incredible victories, but this group have had enough of talking about the past. It is time for a new story of glory. It is the moment for new heroes in green.

 
Ray Houghton scored Ireland's winner 
agains Italy in 1994 Credit: ACTION
 IMAGES 

When Roy Keane was asked about his role as a young combative midfielder in that win over the Italians in 94 he said it was irrelevant. When it was suggested to Martin O’Neill that he could use that result as motivation for his players ahead of their own meeting with the Azzurri in Lille, he pointed out that his side’s tremendous win over world champions Germany in October was far more pertinent.

As for Seamus Coleman, he knows all about Houghton's goal. He heard the stories growing up and he has seen it replayed hundreds of times, but he wants to write a new chapter, he wants to be part of someone that rewards and inspires a new generation of supporters.

 

“We definitely see this as an opportunity,” said Coleman. “We want to create something special. If you look back over the years you can see players making names for themselves, making themselves heroes with the Irish fans and that’s obviously something you dream about doing.

“As the manager has said, though, that’s the end game. We’ve got to go out there first and put the hard graft in for 90 minutes and then the rest will come. This whole squad believes we can get four points from this group.

“We don’t have to look too far back for inspiration and belief . That night in Dublin (against Germany), Shane Long’s goal - it was a memorable night for us all.

“We know that when it all clicks for us and we stick together for 90 minutes and don’t lose concentration, we are capable of beating the big teams. I genuinely believe there’s a big result left in us.”

 

The Republic of Ireland beat Germany back in October Credit: GETTY 

As with now, few expected Ireland to compete with the Italians at USA 94, let alone beat them. Ireland, they said, had just done well to qualify for the tournament and could not realistically feel aggrieved if they went home at the end of the group stage.

Jack Charlton’s side thought otherwise, the victory over Italy unexpectedly propelling them into the Round of 16, sparking wild celebrations back home. The team returned as heroes, mainly because of that win in their opening group game. This time, it is in their final game that Ireland need to pull off something special.

If Ireland beat Antonio Conte’s men, they will qualify for the knockout stage of a European Championship for the first time. It will also be only their second win at a major tournament since that famous American campaign.

Group E

	Team	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Italy	2	2	0	0	3	6
2	Belgium	2	1	0	1	1	3
3	Sweden	2	0	1	1	-1	1
4	Republic of Ireland	2	0	1	1	-3	1

“For players of Seamus’s age, 1994 must seem like a long time ago, said O'Neill. “I think we’ve got our own recent memories to inspire us, none more so than from October time when we beat the world champions.

“When you say something like that, it just seems to disappear into the ether, but we beat the world champions on a night we had to win. That’s extraordinary. Extraordinary.

“We’re not just talking about a normal side, but a team that 18 months earlier had gone to Brazil and won the World Cup.

“That was a great moment for us and it was the inspiration for us to go on and beat Bosnia in the play-offs. That’s where we drew the inspiration from. We don’t have to go back to 1994, I think we can draw on our own recent history, because it’s the same set of players. It’s these players who took the opportunity to come here.”

Conte's Italy stand in Ireland's way Credit: REUTERS 

O'Neill knows many have already written his side off. He will also use that to motivate them, “I want the players to see this as an opportunity to make some history,” added O'Neill. “Exactly that. I think that will be the view of the players.

“There is excitement. We always felt we’d have to win a game in the group stage, we’d have to win a match and so we have to win this one. That’s it. All the things you talk about, like making history, that will follow.

“There is good confidence about the team that we can win the game. We have to fight for everything and cut out the mistakes we made against Belgium.”

CREDIT TO:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/21/euro-2016-republic-of-ireland-seek-new-generation-of-heroes-agai/