One of the most outstanding youtube uploads in history was placed on the site by the great Eastterracer. It features Ireland slaughtering England 4-1 in a 'B' international in Turner's Cross.
As if England and Ireland didn't play each other enough at that time, the two teams decided to organise a 'B' international to be played in Cork in advance of Italia 90. A bumper crowd packed into the venue on a soggy Tuesday afternoon for this friendly.
Both teams had some good players on show. Half the England team would later travel to Euro 92 as part of the first team squad (though I wouldn't throw that on the CV. They lost 4-1 here and hadn't improved much by the time Thomas Brolin got hold of them). In fairness, there was, to use some rugby parlance, a fair deal of bench emptying going on that day.
The man who put England in front with a rocket of a goal was none other than Dalian Atkinson. He wouldn't fly to Sweden with the rest of the future turnips, but he would star in Aston Villa's doomed tilt at the nascent Premier League title in 1992/93.
Ireland, meanwhile, had a number of players who would prove crucial during the USA 94 qualification campaign, and one, a certain beanpole striker who has oft been likened to a recently beatified Albanian midget, whose input would prove in Italia 90 itself. Goals from Alan McLoughlin, a penalty from David Kelly, and two Niall Quinn strikes gave Ireland a 4-1 victory.
Before we run down the Ireland team, the England team that day was:
Dave Beasant; Lee Dixon ; Nigel Winterburn ; Tony Adams ; Andy Linighan ; Carlton Palmer ; David Batty ; Matt Le Tissier ; Andy Sinton ; Paul Williams (Charlton) ; Dalian Atkinson
Subs used: Nigel Clough, Tony Daley, David Seaman, Paul Lake, Ian Snodin
Here is the Ireland team that lined out that day.
Gary Kelly
From a proud clan of goalkeepers. Son of Alan Senior, and thus, the more alert of you will have already worked out, the brother of Alan Junior. He had left Newcastle at this point and was minding the nets at Bury.
Denis Irwin
Irwin was one of a couple of Oldham Athletic players in the team. He would not travel to Italia 90.
Jim Beglin
A few years after the horrific leg break which was to indirectly and prematurely end his career in 1991, Beglin was soldiering away for Leeds United as they marched to the Second Division title.
Derek Brazil
Dublin-born Brazil was at Old Trafford between 1988 and 1992, without ever really breaking into the team though he did make a couple of appearances. By 1990, he was, like Irwin and Milligan, at Oldham.
Pat Scully
Jack Charlton was unaware of the League of Ireland's existence so Scully's presence for this game was due to him 'being on the books' at Arsenal, albeit on loan at Northampton Town.
Alan McLoughlin
Another Manc, McLoughlin was still at Swindon in March 1990, late moved to Southampton and Portsmouth (though didn't get the same flak as Harry Redknapp). Its not over-hyping his contribution to say he made his presence felt in the 1994 qualification campaign...
Mike Milligan
Manchester- born Milligan was another Oldham Athletic man, spending most of his career at the club, with a brief interval at Goodison Park in 1990-91. He earned one senior international cap for Ireland in 1992.
Brian Mooney
Dubliner Mooney was playing for Preston North End at the time, having begun his career at Anfield without ever breaking into the first team. He later played League of Ireland with Shelbourne and Bohemians. He never gained a senior international cap for Ireland.
Mark Kelly
Born in Basingstoke, Kelly was at Portsmouth winger who earned four senior caps between 1988 and 1990.
Niall Quinn
Quinn was still a bit part player at Arsenal at this stage. After his goal against Holland in the summer he moved to Maine Road, where he scored regularly for three seasons, until a bad injury in late 1993.
David Kelly
From Birmingham, Kelly was at the time helping West Ham get promoted from Division 2, alongside Liam Brady who was playing his final season as a professional. He scored 9 goals for the Ireland first team. His most famous act was annoying the hell out the charming blokes of Combat 18 when he put Ireland 1-0 up England in Lansdowne Road in '95.
SUBS USED:
Terry Phelan
(for Denis Irwin)
Hardly need for an introduction here...
Garry Waddock
(for Mike Milligan)
Famous for not going to Italia 90 after being left off by a regretful Jack Charlton in favour of sourpuss Frank Stapleton.
Owen Coyle
(for David Kelly)
The Scottish born future Burnley and Bolton Wanderers manager made one senior international appearance for Ireland in 1994 in a pre World Cup friendly.
Ken deMange
(for Alan McLoughlin)
One of the most exotically named people ever to tog for Ireland, the Dublin LOI stalwart was plying his trade for Hull City at the time. He earned two senior caps in 87 and 88 (coming on in the win over Brazil in 1987) and later returned to Ireland, playing for Bohs and Dundalk.
