Today is 14 years to the day since Robbie Keane squeezed home a late equaliser in the Ibaraki Stadium.
To mark that we asked you where you were that famous day. Little did we know that one of the most horrific stories came from someone in this very office.
One of our writers (his identity is protected) was in Fifth Class in St Gerard's primary school in Bray (I hope that institution has changed in the meantime) and on 5 June 2002, around 11.00, he was forced to watch the dress rehearsal of his school's production of 'Alice in Wonderland' rather than the match.
And you thought the cruelty and sheer inhumanity that used to blight the Irish schooling system was a thing of the past in 2002?
Here are the 10 best fan story responses we've received recalling Robbie Keane's goal against Germany. And we have a worthy winner.
Send us in your stories.
10. Terrence Reynolds
Terrence Reynolds in at No. 10 for furnishing us with a little known fact
9. Kealan Bolton
A tale with which can all empathise
8. Peter Kingston
I'm sure no one objected for too long Peter
@ballsdotie dropped the pint glass I was filling for customer in fathers pub and went mental.
— Peter Kingston (@KingstonPeter85) June 5, 2014
7. Ger Kane
Ger Kane survived the ordeal allright
@ballsdotie drank myself into a Spanish hospital that night!!! Fell down stairs in Santa ponsa in the aftermath of celebrating a draw
— Ger_Kane (@meathpoolleague) June 5, 2014
6. #WBYeats
The inimtable #WBYeats always knows how to paint an idyllic picture of Ireland
@ballsdotie Just home from my junior infants school trip and in the pub with a bottle of finch orange and a pack of kings crisps — #WBYeats (@zCatholicPriest) June 5, 2014
5. Tony Burke
Tony Burke was another there that day....
4. Robert Donovan
There is no sight as glorious as seeing folk hopping about joyously in front of a Curry's shop window
3. Mikey Browne
Mikey Browne suffering for the cause.
2. Jim Warren
Jim Warren giving Robbie Keane all the credit for his marriage. Can't help feeling Carsten Jancker's woeful display should share part of the credit.
@ballsdotie Chatting up an Irish girl in an Irish pub in London. 12 years later, she's my wife and the mother of my 2 sons!! Thanks Robbie!?
— Jim Warren (@wareen72) June 5, 2014
1. Dave Fitz
However the clear winner is Dave Fitz. 12 years on, we salute you...
@ballsdotie quit my job that morning because wouldn't let me off for it. Found myself down the pub at 10am, never felt better #WorldCup2002 — Dave Fitz (@Rocketballs7) June 5, 2014
