It's mad to think that it's 12 years ago (or almost 14 years ago if you ask John Delaney) since Ireland played the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. It seems like only yesterday that I was hiding under the kitchen table, too afraid to watch our penalty shoot-out against Spain.
While we're not heading to Brazil this time around, we can at least reminisce about our last appearance at the greatest show on earth, in the hope that memories of the gold old days might distract us from the depressing reality of three World Cups sans Ireland.
We've gotten our hands on the match programme from our 2002 warm up match against Nigeria. It was a match where Steven Reid scored the 100th goal of Mick McCarthy's reign as manager; a time before Saipan; a time of innocence and optimism; a time of wealth and prosperity.
Here are some of the best bits from said programme.
THE COVER
MICK STILL HAD THAT GLOW ABOUT HIM
EL PRESIDENTE
THIS ENDED WELL...
IT INCLUDED A FEATURE ON USA94
THE CLOSEST WE WOULD GET TO THE WORLD CUP TROPHY
DOESN'T LIKE CAR PARKS BUT LOVES 7UP
LET'S PLAY 'WHERE'S KEITH O'NEILL?'
THE WORLD CUP SONGS
THE SQUAD THAT WOULD BE BOARDING THE PLANE TO SAIPAN
THE MAIN MAN HIMSELF
THE MEN BEHIND THE SCENES
CELESTINE BABAYARO – REMEMBER HIM?
IT WAS ALSO THE 100TH MATCH IN LANDSDOWNE ROAD
SNICKERS WON THE AWARD FOR BEST/WORST PUN
I THINK THAT MIGHT BE THE YOUNG LAD FROM CRYSTAL SWING IN THE BACKGROUND
Here are the highlights from the game.
