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24 World Cup memories we won’t forget from Italia '90

It’s 25 years today since the tournament kicked off.

1. Ciao, the official World Cup mascot with a football for a head

Soccer - World Cup Italia 90 EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

2. Sheedy puts the ball in the English net

Kevin Sheedy 1990 Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

CuChoileain / YouTube

3. Dunphy infamously “throwing” his pen after Ireland’s 0-0 with Egypt

Dunphy pen YouTube YouTube

Mare Footage / YouTube

4. Van Breukelen spills and Quinny follows in as the Boys in Green hold the Dutch to a draw

Quinn Holland YouTube YouTube

5. Packie’s save from Timofte

Packie YouTube YouTube

6. The nation holds its breath…

jazzforall / YouTube

7. The partying that followed

Daithi333 / YouTube

8. Mick Byrne gets his wish and the Ireland team meet the pope

The Irish team meet Pope John Paul II 1990 Ireland kitman Charlie O'Leary alongside Pope John Paul II. INPHO INPHO

9. “F*** Schillaci!” Ireland narrowly lose out to the Italians in Rome

Schillaci YouTube YouTube

CuChoileain / YouTube

10. Baggio’s wondergoal against the Czechs

EveryFourthYear / YouTube

11. A cracker from Belgium midfielder Enzo Scifo

soccergoals2010 / YouTube

12. First-timers Costa Rica cause a shock against Scotland

Soccer - World Cup Italia 90 - Group C - Costa Rica v Scotland Cayasso beats Scotland goalkeeper Jim Leighton. EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

13. While Cameroon upset the Argies

ratpackmanreturns / YouTube

14. Their tactic? Stop Claudio Caniggia

Blochin / YouTube

15. Rene Higuita’s blunder allows Milla in

Soccer - World Cup Italia 90 - Second Round - Colombia v Cameroon EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

16. And those memorable dance moves

Milla YouTube YouTube

17. Frank Rijkaard gets something off his chest with Rudi Voller (twice) on the receiving end

Soccer - World Cup Italia 90 - Second Round - West Germany v Netherlands Witters / Press Association Images Witters / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

tienefuego / YouTube

18. David Platt with an over-the-shoulder volley to win it late for England against Belgium

Platt Belgium YouTube YouTube

19. Gazza’s tears…

Paul Gascoigne cries in World Cup 1990 Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

fiebremundialista / YouTube

20. And England losing out to Germany on penalties in the semis

snubianvideo / YouTube

21. Players see red in a World Cup final for the first time as Argentina’s Pedro Monzon and Gustavo Dezotti get their marching orders

Soccer - World Cup Italia 90 - Final - West Germany v Argentina EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

22. Andreas Brehme’s penalty hands West Germany their third World Cup

Brehme goal final 1990 YouTube YouTube

23. Celebrating like we won the thing during Ireland’s epic homecoming

Paul McGrath 1990 INPHO INPHO

CuChoileain / YouTube

24. BBC’s brilliant end credits accompanied by Pavarotti singing Nessun Dorma

MITOGEN / YouTube

What do you remember of the 1990 World Cup? We’ve a week worth of pieces on the way so get that clappy-hands baseball cap out of the attic. 

14 World Cup memories we won’t forget from Mexico 1986

VIDEO: Relive Maradona’s classic goal against England from a new camera angle

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    Mute Barry Walsh
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    May 4th 2014, 8:06 PM

    They were the best of times,and the worst of times,i hope we get to see it again someday!

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    Mute Sinead Hanley
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    May 4th 2014, 8:10 PM

    What about OLE OLE OLE??? Sung at every birthday, christening, wedding, sports event for a long time after.

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    Mute Ronan Stokes
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    May 4th 2014, 8:35 PM

    Even at George Michael concerts, only us…

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    Mute Montys Moonshine
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    May 4th 2014, 9:18 PM

    Sure we’re still singing it

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    Mute ronan murray
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    May 4th 2014, 9:45 PM

    Still gets sung everytime we make it to any event

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    Mute Pádraig O'hEidhin
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    May 4th 2014, 10:35 PM

    To put a downer on it! 0 – 0 against egypt? …… A holy Show!

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    Mute Insipid
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    May 5th 2014, 1:07 AM

    It was a Monday evening in Genoa, when Pakie saved the penalty. The Scots had been in town before us and there was fvuk all beer left. It was many a lads first introduction to warm white wine. The restaurants had it out on the shelves in the restaurant.. Sure we helped ourselves.. Do remember the Ities turned a bit sour that night. as we were due to play them in the qtrs in Rome on the Saturday. Don’t think I was ever as happy..

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    Mute Brian Badonde
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    May 5th 2014, 3:49 PM

    Ok Charles Dickens

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    Mute Jason Stenson
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    May 4th 2014, 8:12 PM

    Beautiful weather, great times, we went down to cork the day after Italy knocked us out to see prince in pairc I caoimh, 50,000 of us singing ole,ole,ole..the little shit actually stopped mid tune to say “whose concert is this” don’t think he’s been back since :)

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    Mute Sinead Hanley
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    May 4th 2014, 8:16 PM

    Jason.. I was there at that gig and i rem that Prince the dirty little bollix stopped singing until we shut up.. Obviously not a Rep of Ireland fan

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    Mute Jason Stenson
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    May 4th 2014, 8:37 PM

    @sinead,I wouldn’t mind but he was cat :)

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    Mute Sinead Hanley
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    May 4th 2014, 8:55 PM

    True.. Nothing compared to Michael Jackson Pairc ui Chaoimh in 1988..

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    Mute Paul Doyle
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    May 4th 2014, 8:10 PM

    Still the best tournament that ever was !!’

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    Mute right-sock-off
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    May 4th 2014, 8:11 PM

    Ciao the mascot was very impressive in it s day, especially if you compare it to dublin buses network noel

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    Mute Rachel O' Meara
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    May 4th 2014, 9:01 PM

    Anyone remember the bord gas ad at the time, 50, 50 cash back 50, 50 cash back……I still have one of the promotional teddy bears wearing the irish italia 90 kit.

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    Mute DublinLad
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    May 4th 2014, 8:18 PM

    It’s when you look back at videos of our time in Euro 88′, and World Cup’s 90′, 94 & 02′, you realise how much you miss being part of the build up, and tournament. I know the Euro’s in 2012 weren’t great, but the build up, the excitement, and for that one moment against Croatia, we forgot our problems!

    Hopefully MoN & Keano can take us to France in 2016, and as Larry said “I love Ireland, I love Ireland”.

    Still though, I’m immensely looking forward to the World Cup this year, it’s just a shame that some of the games might be on at 11pm and 2am in the morning!!

    I can’t see past a South American country winning it, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Uruguay going far, they have a serious strike force in Suarez, Cavani & Forlan.

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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    May 4th 2014, 10:05 PM

    The rte panelists using the video pen to trace Frank Rijkaard’s spit.

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    Mute Miall Noloney
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    Jun 8th 2015, 11:52 PM

    Was the funniest part of the whole shebang!

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    Mute Dave O'Hanlon
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    May 4th 2014, 8:14 PM

    The homecoming looked great from the telly, probably wouldnt have seen a thing if I was there, still would be better than those damn Louis Walsh showcases in the Phoenix park that happened since then.

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    Mute clodagh landers
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    May 5th 2014, 1:12 AM

    “GIVE IT A LASH JACK , GIVE IT A LASH JACK , never ever ever say noooo …”

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    Mute blueman79
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    Jun 9th 2015, 2:20 AM

    ireland ireland De pubalik of Ireland, Rev em up and here we goooo !!!

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    Mute joe power
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    May 4th 2014, 8:58 PM

    Could of fookn won it that year

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    Mute Ronan Stokes
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    May 4th 2014, 9:21 PM

    We did win it Joe, we did win it.

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    Mute DublinLad
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    May 4th 2014, 8:20 PM

    Also, ever since that Reeling In The Years episode, whenever I hear ‘There She Goes’, I’m always reminded of that glorious summer, I’m getting goosebumps thinking of it. Hopefully my kids will be able to experience something similar in the years to come.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu2iv-vMKT8

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    Mute Noel Doyle
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    May 5th 2014, 8:47 AM

    An absolute scorching summer wasnt it

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    Mute Evelyn Hughes
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    May 4th 2014, 10:10 PM

    No traffic on d road or work when Ireland played

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    Mute Davin Lynch
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    May 4th 2014, 8:11 PM

    Good times,remember being at the old roundabout by the airport when the open top bus went past. Also,isn’t that the World Cup Garry lineker s**t himself on the pitch?

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    Mute Graham Kavanagh
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    May 5th 2014, 1:53 AM

    What would Keane say about celebrating getting knocked out at quarters!

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    Mute thefunnyman
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    May 4th 2014, 8:27 PM

    The hair on my neck just stood up.

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    Mute Ross Horgan
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    May 4th 2014, 10:57 PM

    Have checked through all the comments and nobody mentioned “put em under pressure” it was no.1 for about 4 months and don’t forget, “we’re going to start a fire, we’ll have Jack to mind us and the fans behind us”. If your over 35 I bet you your singing it now. Was in the Gaeltacht in first year when the tournament was on, what fantastic memories.

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    Mute Peter - County Arms
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    May 4th 2014, 10:17 PM

    I remember Offaly hurled Kilkenny in the Leinster championship the day we played Egypt. 4,000 in croke park to see Brian Whelahan marking DJ Carey in their first championship starts for their counties. Sorry I didn’t go – the Egypt match was chronic!

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    Mute Peter - County Arms
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    May 4th 2014, 10:18 PM

    Offaly beat the shite out of KK by the way!

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    Mute Jim McGourty
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    May 4th 2014, 8:53 PM

    Enjoyed that. Great article.

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    Mute Caitriona Faherty
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    May 4th 2014, 11:47 PM

    I remember the sheer buzz of it all. The whole country coming to a standstill !! Also remember the t-shirts that went on sale in Moore st after each match “Brillo Bonner, Italy’s a gonner !” … Hope my boys get to experience something like it, great times !!

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    Mute Colin Mullen
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    May 5th 2014, 9:29 AM

    The football was fairly rubbish, but it’s not about that. It’s about a nation coming of age, throwing off the shackles of the dark 1980s, about getting a victorious draw against the mighty English, about remembering where you where when Packie saved the peno, about saying “oh no, not O’Learly” when you saw him walk up to take his peno, about singing Ole Ole until you were hoarse, but most of all, about getting goosebumps 24 years later when you watch all those great moments again!!!
    We will qualify for World Cups again, but will we ever see the likes of Italia 90 again?

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    Mute The Red Devil
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    May 5th 2014, 1:16 AM

    Those days created a nation

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    Mute Graham Kavanagh
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    May 5th 2014, 1:57 AM

    Dirty politicians tried to be like us too! The bastids!

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    Mute Ferg Breen
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    May 4th 2014, 9:12 PM

    Brilliant memories for us but in terms of football it was the worst World Cup in living memory.

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    Mute Brendan Boyd
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    May 4th 2014, 9:56 PM

    I’d advise people to watch a full game from that world cup, particularly any game from our group. Dire stuff. We got to the quarter finals by scoring two goals and winning zero games. Over 480 minutes of football and we scored 2 goals. And that is considered our greatest sporting moment as a nation?

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    Mute David Carroll
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    May 4th 2014, 8:22 PM

    Is this country ever going to move on from Italia 90.

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    Mute Conor
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    May 4th 2014, 8:34 PM

    No until something similar happens

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    Mute David Carroll
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    May 4th 2014, 8:38 PM

    Thats the tragedy. We didn’t build on it. But sure we reached a QF 24 years ago lets go into nostalgia overload.

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    Mute Conor
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    May 4th 2014, 8:39 PM

    I am confident in o Neil and Keane COYBIG

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    Mute David Carroll
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    May 4th 2014, 8:41 PM

    Good. Time for new members

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    Mute David Carroll
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    May 4th 2014, 8:41 PM

    Oops memories

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    Mute Ricky Gallagher
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    May 4th 2014, 10:25 PM

    Tom Petty was subjected to that Ole Ole guff when he played here. Morto.

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    Mute kopper96
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    May 4th 2014, 9:53 PM

    I’ve had some wonderful footballing memories in my life, standing behind the goal when Packie saved that penalty and David O Leary scored the next one, Istanbul 2005 the best champions league final ever and Cork City wining the first division against Shelbourne in Tolka Park in the last minute.
    Which was the best?…….well I would have to say…

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    Mute DublinLad
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    May 4th 2014, 8:22 PM
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    Mute Maurice Barron
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    May 4th 2014, 10:35 PM

    Football had changed so much since then … You look back at those games as the greatest ever … But even at 10 years old I remember after 20 minutes going outside the kick the ball around during the Egypt game …

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    Mute Summer Bay Devil
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    May 4th 2014, 9:48 PM

    What about Tony Meola’s mullet?

    IAFW

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    Mute Michelle Phelan
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    May 5th 2014, 4:57 PM

    I love in Ireland we cellebrate everything and dosent matter if we win of loose we still show our support for teams and thank them.Don’t think you would see that from any country.

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    Mute Eugene Walsh
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    May 4th 2014, 8:14 PM

    Any score in the snooker journal..

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    Mute Andrew Hickey
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    May 4th 2014, 8:17 PM

    7-3. Selbys pots are shattered. :-)

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    Mute Chief
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    May 4th 2014, 11:47 PM

    Was in kilburn for Italia 90. Twas mad…

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    Mute Eoin
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    Jun 9th 2015, 12:05 AM

    I miss Bill. hope he’s doing well on the Panel in the sky.

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    Mute Louis Hoffman
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    May 5th 2014, 5:38 PM

    Didn’t Dunphy have a fortune on Ireland to beat Egypt at the bookies?

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    Mute Eamonn Maloney
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    May 4th 2014, 11:59 PM

    Enjoyed it while it lasted but to be honest we, the way we played and the whole of Italia 90 was crap standard.
    Why do we,a Celtic country chant ‘ ole ole ole ?

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    Mute Fear Uisce
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    Jun 8th 2015, 5:03 PM

    This is just a recycled article from last year, why couldn’t ye do something new?

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    Mute Richard O'Malley
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    May 5th 2014, 10:35 AM

    Those coca cola mini footballs were the biz, would give my left nut for one now!

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    Mute Paul Tuohy
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    Jun 8th 2015, 6:35 PM

    What about Gary Lineker shitting himself against Ireland…literally

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    Mute anthony campion
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    Jun 8th 2015, 6:17 PM

    Remember wearing the Ole Ole O’Leary tee shirt Penneys best

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    Mute Paul McNevin
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    Jun 8th 2015, 5:10 PM

    Happy Days

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    Mute blue moon
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    Jun 8th 2015, 5:35 PM

    There hasn’t being other World Cup like it for entertainment since
    So great memories never forget o’learys penalty

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