Time for number 35 and we take you back to one of the only moments that got Croker rocking during the Irish soccer team’s tenure there.
As we have noted Croker never really replicated the old pressure-cooker atmosphere that the old Lansdowne Road evoked from Irish soccer fans.
There was only really one occasion that Croke Park really lived up the pre-stadium move expectations.
Sean St. Ledger for whatever reason has never got a move to a big team despite the fact he looks like a world-beater when playing alongside Richard Dunne for Ireland.
Sean, an extremely handsome man (see author’s bio below) was the player to wake Croke Park up though.
Ireland needed a result against the World Champions Italy. A draw would finally kill off Bulgaria’s remaining hopes to qualify for World Cup 2010, while a win and Ireland could possibly qualify automatically.
In the 86th minute a free-kick was launched into the box and St. Ledger hit a textbook diving header.
The stadium erupted with fans knocking on hoardings, shouting and general jubilation which joyfully drowned out the irritating music that played over the tannoy.
Finally it was Croke Park like it should be.
Then Gilardino and the Italians raced down to the Hill 16 end and put paid to that. Still 2-2 against the world champions, not shabby.
Today marks 35 days to go until the start of Euro 2012, so stick with us every day as we present another memorable Irish soccer moment.
