[tps_header]In advance of Wednesday’s massive game against England at Wembley, which is being shown live on Setanta Ireland, we are starting the build up, bringing you back to that infamous night and plotting the key storylines that makes May 29th, one of the biggest nights of the sporting calendar.
The Ireland and England rivalry isn't just about football it encompasses all sport. These are five of the best Ireland vs England sporting clashes down the year.[/tps_header]
[tps_title]Cricket World Cup 2011[/tps_title]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WtE8UkrBbg
I’ve never been a massive cricket fan but I vividly remember being glued to this game when I saw word on Twitter that Ireland had recovered from a shaky start and there was a chance of victory.
Bangladesh had beaten Ireland in their first game in the group but next came England. Ireland would surely up their game but still no one really gave them a chance.
England batted first finishing on a solid 327/8 from their 50 overs.
Ireland lost captain William Porterfield on their very first ball and things were looking ominous when they were 111/5 but then Kevin O’Brien came to bat.
He made 100 off just 50 balls, the fastest century in World Cup history. It featured thirteen 4's and six 6's, amazing for a player that had never made 50 in a World Cup game previously. He would go on to make 113 off 63 balls.
Trent Johnston and John Mooney would bring the victory home for Ireland, establishing the brilliantly named trio of Johnston, Mooney and O’Brien that lead Ireland to victory that day.
India narrowly beat Ireland in their next game and they would only go on to win one more game in the group but that victory over England will stay in everyone’s memory for a long time.
[tps_title]Steve Collins vs Chris Eubank[/tps_title]
Just over a month after the Lansdowne Road riot, Steve Collins took on Chris Eubank at the Green Glens Arena in Milstreet for the WBO Super Middleweight title.
Eubank went into the fight believing that Collins was playing mind games, having enlisted the help of a hypnotist who had supposedly made him think that he was invincible.
Collins won the fight by unanimous decision and also won the rematch six months later at Páirc Úi Chaoimh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR1BmRvYCww
[tps_title]Ireland vs England Croke Park 2007 Six Nations[/tps_title]
With the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road, Irish rugby and soccer needed a temporary new home. The GAA opened up the doors of Croke Park after much debate. Ireland took on England at Croke Park in their third game of that year's Six Nations, having been defeated by France at Croker the previous week by a late Vincent Clerc try.
The England game was highly emotional, despite fears of the English national anthem being booed it was impeccably observed and the Bull Hayes shed tears like no one thought possible.
Ireland won the game easily, 43-13. The crowning moment of the game was Shane Horgan's high fielding try from ROG's pinpoint cross kick.
[tps_title]Ireland vs England Euro '88[/tps_title]
Ireland took on England in their first ever appearance at a European Championship finals or World Cup finals on June 12th 1988. The match took place at the Neckarstadion in Stuttgart. Ray Houghton opened the scoring for Ireland after only six minutes and Ireland managed to hold out for probably our most famous ever football victory over England.
[tps_title]Ireland vs England 2006 Six Nations[/tps_title]
Ireland took on England at Twickenham in the 2006 Six Nations needing a victory to secure the Triple Crown. England led 24-21 with just over two minutes remaining when Ronan O'Gara chipped the ball forward for Brian O'Driscoll to run onto who then offloaded to Shane Horgan but was stopped just metres short of the line. The ball was recycled and moments later, Peter Stringer threw a looping pass out to Horgan again whose arm appeared to gain inches in length as he successfully touched down for a try.
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