23 YEARS AGO today, Bernie Slaven rattled in a debut goal for Ireland and virtually booked himself a place at Italia ’90.
The Middlesbrough striker was called up by Irish manager Jack Charlton on the back of an impressive run of goal-scoring form.
Wales were the visitors to Lansdowne Road on 28 March 1990 and Slaven certainly made an impression.
He chased down a ball played over the top, from midfield, and rounded Welsh goalkeeper Neville Southall. Slaven’s goal-bound effort was kept out by a Wealsh hand and a penalty was awarded.
Midfielder Kevin Sheedy stepped up and struck a penalty low to Southall’s right. The Everton stopper kept the effort out but Slaven was on hand to slot home the rebound.
YouTube credit: EastTerracer
Slaven travelled with the Ireland squad to Italy for the World Cup but did not feature off the bench on the team’s quarter-final run.
He played seven times in all for Ireland, appearing against Wales in his final international outing in 1993.
