There are certain sportspeople who tie together generations. There is a generation of Ireland fans, now, for whom Euro 2012 was the first time a major football championship had come onto their radar. In the future, when they are asked to describe their first football memory, it will be of a campaign that was more dense with anticipation than rich with actual fulfilment. As a nation we dreamed, yes, but unfortunately our imaginations were the sole reserve of happiness as the painful sting of defeat numbed our hopes under 'Il Trap'.
Then there is a generation for whom Euro 2012 and 2016 marked a significant point in their sporting existence. For many Irish fans, these two experiences symbolised a coming of age, a chance to create their own memories, their own legends and myths to match the ones spun endlessly about the glories of Euro '88, Italia '90, USA '94 and Japan and South Korea. Hearing about those adventures was great, but there was a generation who were hungry to write their own chapters, to return home with tales and memories of the joyous green army they had heard so much about.
And that is where Robbie Keane comes in.
Robbie Keane, for the current generation of Irish fans, is the author of a definitive and memorable moment in their lives. Perhaps his goal against Germany is a distant memory for them or perhaps an imagined one, fashioned from replaying it on Youtube constantly in a vain attempt to trigger a lost memory.
But nevertheless the Irish adventure in Japan marked a decisive starting point for the generation of young fans who have flown over to France. Keane's goal against Germany, and the delight that it brought, is the last really positive on-field memory we have of an Irish team in a major tournament, the last moment of true magic on an international stage for an Irish football team. And it is something that we all share.
Whether you were eight years old and waving a little flag in school after being given the morning off to watch the game, or whether you were twenty-four and bunking off your first job to catch it in the pub, Irish fans today all share that memory of Keane's goal. The way time seemed to pause as Keane burst through off Niall Quinn's flick-on. The looming figure of the great Oliver Khan spreading himself before Keane and the doubts that flew through our minds; even then, we dared not expect Keane to score. And then the ball was mercifully in off the post and Keane was wheeling away in delight and, when we blinked, we realised that we hadn't dreamed it.
With that goal, Keane made us believe in ourselves. We took on a great Germany side, on the biggest stage of all, and refused to accept our place. In the coming days and weeks, Irish men and women walked a little bit taller when they thought of Robbie Keane slamming the ball past the most dominant goalkeeper of his time with such aplomb. Walls, unfortunate fathers and windows all metamorphosed into German goalkeepers in back gardens and streets. The Irish soccer team, led by a kid from Tallaght, had a nation running on a wild, endorphin high. Pupils dilated and breath shortened at the brave swagger of Robbie Keane and his Sundance Kid, Duff.
When supporters gather in France to sing and to celebrate the Irish team, a part of them all quietly dreams that they will be present for a 'Keane' moment. To be able to look back and say, "I was there."
Because for Irish fans today, whether they are fifty-two or twenty-two, Keane's goal in Japan causes a certain distant gaze, a wistful shake of the head and a small smile. Fourteen years ago, Robbie Keane did for Ireland what Ray Houghton did with his goals in 1988 and again in 1994, what Paul McGrath did against Roberto Baggio in '94. He planted in us a simple pride and happiness, one that we didn't have to understand or justify but one that nevertheless made us walk a little taller, smile a little more and be grateful. Grateful for Irishness, and grateful for Robbie Keane.
After the Republic of Ireland lost to Belgium in their second group game, Robbie Keane ushered the other players over to thank the fans. He looked up at the green wall, smiled, and waved at the supporters cheering his name.
Supporters who have much to thank him for.
