John Giles turns 78 today. While there's no tipsy Late Late show antics this year (as there was for his big milestone eight years ago), here's a lovely look back at his first ever goal for Ireland, against the World Cup finalists of the previous year, Sweden, in 1959.
The 18-year-old Giles hadn't yet broken in to the Manchester United team, but he just happened to be back in Dublin for a few days for a friendly against Home Farm. So the crusty old selection committee decided to get on to him. Or rather they decided to tell the papers he was in the team - and then hope that Giles would be one of those that read the paper. Which, fortunately, he did.
The game itself was a glorious victory. A Hurricane's style affair, Ireland trailed 2-0 and ended up humbling the Swedes 3-2. Gilesy's goal, coming when Ireland were two down, was an absolute belter too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQOCIALE7_0&feature=youtu.be
[Video via KillianM2]
