Time for number 26 and 1990 was Ireland’s coming out party on the world stage.
1990 was a big year for Ireland electing Mary Robinson, the first female, non-Fianna Fail president of the Republic, the emergence of the Celtic Tiger and reaching our first World Cup Finals in Italy.
Not only that but we managed to reach the quarter-finals of that World Cup, before Toto Schillaci dashed our dreams.
It was in many ways the beginning of a new found confidence for Ireland on the world stage, nevertheless we still had time to swoon over kissing the Pope’s ring as the below RTE report by George Hamilton shows.
Today marks 26 days to go until the start of Euro 2012, so stick with us every day as we present another memorable Irish soccer moment.
