After a toxic 12 months, Martin O’Neill’s reign as Irish manager came to an end this week after five years at the helm of Irish football.
It all ends on a sour note after the events of the last year both on and off the field, but let’s not forget that he presided over some very special nights in Irish football.
We took some time out to reflect on the the standout matches from his tenure.
Germany 1-1 Republic of Ireland
Euro 2016 Qualification, Veltins-Arena
John O’Shea grabbed only his third Ireland goal late on in the game against world champions Germany, back in 2015. The German side which only featured five of their starting XI from the 2014 World Cup final dominated proceedings in the first 45 minutes, with Durm, Rudiger and Kroos all threatening the Irish goal. Forde pulled off two impressive saves early in the second half, but Germany finally broke the deadlock on the 71st minute after Kroos’ shot from outside the box struck the post and nestled in the back of the net. Ireland responded well however and had a Wes Hoolahan effort blocked on the line before John O’Shea headed home in the dying embers of the game to rescue a vital point for the Boys in Green.
Republic of Ireland's Shane Long scores their first goal ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Germany
Euro 2016 Qualification, Aviva Stadium
On a night that will live long in the memory of many an Irish fan, Ireland shocked the world champions with a 1-0 victory in the Aviva Stadium. The Irish went into the game needing a win to have any chance of reaching a playoff for Euro 2016, and defended heroically for the first three quarters of the game. Ireland to their credit did create chances of their own but it wasn’t until 20 minutes before the end that Randolph's long clearance sailed over the German defence. Shane Long beat Hummels and Hector to the ball and was left with only Neuer to beat. After a perfect first touch he fired the ball to the right of the German shot stopper and the stadium erupted. A nail-biting 20 minute period of German pressure followed but Ireland held on to record arguably Martin O’Neill’s greatest result as Irish boss.
Republic of Ireland 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Euro 2016 Playoff, Aviva Stadium
Ireland brought a 1-1 draw back to Dublin from their first leg encounter against the Bosnians and the Irish started the game positively. They were awarded a controversial penalty after a handball incident and up stepped Jon Walters to slot away the spot kick making the score 2-1 to Ireland on aggregate. The game remained in the balance until the 70th minute, when Walters volleyed home his second of the night. The tie ended in a 3-1 aggregate win for the Irish and booked them a place in Euro 2016.
Republic of Ireland 1-1 Sweden
Euro 2016 Group Stage, Stade de France
Ireland made a frustrating start to Euro 2016 after a 1-1 draw against Sweden. Ireland were much the better side in the opening 45 minutes, striking the woodwork and squandering some great chances before the break. With Martin O’Neill’s half-time team talk ringing in their ears, Ireland attacked down the right wing through Seamus Coleman. His cross was met by the oncoming Wes Hoolahan who rifled the ball into the Swedish goal on the 47 minute mark. Sweden then enjoyed their first sustained period of pressure and in the 71st minute Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s low cross was turned into the Irish goal by Ciaran Clark. Hendrick forced a late save from Andreas Isaksson but the shares were spoiled in a disappointing result for both sides.
Republic of Ireland 0-3 Belgium
Euro 2016 Group Stage, Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux
The Belgians turned on the style in the second half of Ireland’s next Euro 2016 outing to record a comfortable 3-0 win. Ireland went in at half-time feeling hard done by after not receiving a penalty when Toby Alderweireld brought down Long inside the Belgian box. Just after the break however, Lukaku dealt a devastating blow to the Irish when he calmly stroked home from outside the box with his left foot. An Axel Witsel header 15 minutes later extended the Belgian lead to two before Lukaku put the game to bed in the 71st minute. The result left Ireland with a massive battle ahead of themselves against Italy in their final group game.
Ireland's Robbie Brady celebrates at the final whistle ©INPHO/James Crombie
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Italy
Euro 2019 Group Stage, Stade Pierre-Mauroy
This make-or-break game saw Ireland take on Italy knowing nothing but a win could put them through to the Round of 16. Italy however made wholesale changes to their team as they had already guaranteed top spot in the group. The attacking Irish line-up looked dangerous in the opening exchanges, Daryl Murphy had a header tipped over the crossbar and McClean should have won a penalty after Bernardeschi bundled him to the ground inside the box. The game remained goalless well into the second half and it seemed as if it just wasn’t to be for Ireland when Hoolahan missed a golden chance late on. But with only a few minutes left on the clock, Wes floated a delightful cross into the area and it was met by the head of Robbie Brady. The rest is history. Substitutes, management and fans alike leapt to their feet in an outpouring of sheer joy. Brady had put Ireland into the knockout stages where they would meet tournament hosts, France.
Republic of Ireland 1-2 France
Euro 2016 Round of 16, Parc Olympique Lyonnais
This Round of 16 game against eventual finalists France couldn’t have started any better for Ireland when Robbie Brady dispatched a spot-kick in only the second minute of the game. Ireland took the one goal lead into halftime after a great defensive performance following their early goal. But from the beginning of the second half France looked dangerous and by the 61st minute the game had been flipped on its head after a Griezmann brace, his two goals coming within only four minutes of each other. To make matters worse, Shane Duffy was given a straight red card to all but end Ireland’s chances of winning the game. France held on for the 2-1 victory, knocking Ireland out of Euro 2016. Overall it was a very successful tournament for the team, with the standout moment being Brady’s late winner over Italy which secured Ireland a place in the knockout stages.
Austria 0-1 Republic of Ireland
World Cup 2018 Qualification, Ernst-Happel-Stadion
A James McClean strike was enough for Ireland to take all three points away in Vienna against Austria. It was undoubtedly O’Neill’s greatest away win in charge of the Irish and it put Ireland top of their World Cup group. Ireland spent most of the first 45 minutes camped in their own half in what was a very dull affair and their only clear cut opportunity was wasted by Walters who sent a shot from six yards over the crossbar. The Boys in Green looked like a different team in the second half and after just three minutes McClean was played through. He drove a powerful left footed shot across the goal and into the bottom right, giving Ireland the advantage. Walters thought he had doubled their lead but his goal was ruled out after he was adjudged to be offside. Ireland dug deep and the game ended in a 1-0 win for O’Neill and his players.
Ireland's manager Martin O'Neill celebrates ©INPHO/James Crombie
Wales 0-1 Republic of Ireland
World Cup 2018 Qualification, Cardiff City Stadium
The first half of this game went as many people had predicted, Ireland setup very defensive and Wales dominated possession. The Welsh went in frustrated at the break as they had struggled to break down the Irish defence. Ireland started the second 45 with intent and began to cause trouble going forward. Hendrick won the ball back in the Welsh half, drove down the line a put a low cross into the box. Arter let the ball run through his legs and it fell to McClean who dispatched the ball to the right of the Welsh keeper. As Ireland were forced to do very often under O’Neill they managed to see out the game, earning themselves a World Cup playoff.
THE TURNING POINT
Republic of Ireland 1-5 Denmark
World Cup 2018 Playoff, Aviva Stadium
Ireland went into this game only 90 minutes away from their first appearance in the World Cup since 2002 and they couldn’t have got off to a better start. Shane Duffy headed home a Brady cross to give Ireland the lead. Unfortunately that was as good as it got for Ireland. Christensen netted an equaliser for Denmark before an Eriksen beauty put the Danes 2-1 up going in at the break. O’Neill pressed the panic button and introduced Hoolahan and McGeady in an attempt to rescue the game. Eriksen showed his class in the second half, netting two more goals to get his hattrick. A Nicklas Bendtner penalty in injury time to well and truly end Ireland’s World Cup dreams.
It was all downhill for O'Neill from this game onwards. The Stoke rumours - a year of diabolical football and off the pitch controversies brought an end to his time with Ireland, leaving the FAI in search of a new manager to take the team into their Euro 2020 qualification campaign.
Words by Sam Victory
