We don’t want to shock you to your boot-cut core, but Italia 90 was 27 flipping years ago.
Back then, in an era of pay-phones and Harry Ramsden challenges, Ireland were taking their first strides on the World Cup stage after shocking the English at Euro 88.
Jack Charlton’s men drew with England in their opener and repeated the dose all the way until the quarter finals, with some penalty shoot-out drama thrown in for good measure.
Packie Bonner was the hero of Irish fans after his shoot-out save brought them to the last eight and coincided nicely with a trip to the Pope’s pad in The Vatican. The lads spruced up for that one…
Unfortunately for Bonner and Ireland, they came across a chap intent on writing his own chapter of footballing history. Salvatore ‘Toto’ Schillachi scored six goals in he World Cup but the one all Irish supporters remember was the one he netted in that 1-0 quarter final win.
Ireland were out but Italy would exit in the semi finals. Still, Bonner and Schillachi had won their way into the hearts of their fans.
It is fantastic, then, to hear that the goalkeeper and striker will be reunited this summer, in Dublin, and all for a good cause. Bonner and Schillachi are guests of honour at Juventus Club Dublino’s second annual gala dinner in aid of Pieta House [June 19 at the Radisson Blue Hotel, Dublin 2].
The suicide support and awareness charity have worked closely with Bonner in the past and are delighted to have to Italian cult hero join him for the dinner, which will feature music from The Runaways.
Both players continued to play key roles in the country’s footballing affairs after that fateful World Cup so they should have lots to talk about.
For more information, check out Pieta House and/or Club Juventus Dublino.
