After Ireland's third and final draw in Group F in Palermo against Holland, where both teams agreed an armistice in the final 18 minutes following Quinny's comically scrappy equaliser, we sat down and watched the suits at FIFA decided who awaited us in the second round.
Holland and Ireland obviously had identical records. Alphabetical order was the only thing that could separate them.
FIFA decided to draw lots to decide who would occupy 2nd place in the group and who would occupy 3rd. As it was a 24 team tournament, both were going through. But the placement arrangement was crucial. Runners-up spot in the group would guarantee a game against Romania, testing opponents for sure but hardly unbeatable, while third spot would condemn one to a game against West Germany in Milan.
The Germans had been in formidable form in Group F.
The FIFA general secretary (the job that charming Frenchman and generous film critic Jerome Valcke holds currently) at the time was master of ceremonies. He was called Sepp Blatter.
However, he did not pull the balls out of the bowl.
The National Women's Council often give out about women being overlooked by Irish history.
Well, here is the forgotten heroine of Italia 90. When Dublin corporation were looking for a woman to name the new bridge on the Liffey after, they went for someone called Rosie Hackett.
They could have done worse than naming it after 'Monique.'
Naturally, she has been inducted into the Gary Mackay Hall of Fame.
Back in Donnybrook, Johnny Giles and Billy Hamilton didn't specifically give credit to Monique for her contribution but they did welcome the draw with Gilesy insisting the Romanians were 'no great shakes' (twice).
