From the vault: Three Ireland v Russia clashes

With Ireland taking on Russia in a vital World Cup qualifying match today, JOE takes a look back at three previous meetings between the sides.

By Conor Hogan

Republic of Ireland 3-0 Soviet Union, Dalymount Park, 1974

In qualification for the 1974 World Cup, Ireland and the Soviet Union were drawn in the same group, alongside France. Despite garnering a win and a draw against the French, Ireland were to miss out on qualification as the Russians defeated them home and away, 1-2 and 1-0 respectively.

In the European Championships qualifiers, Ireland were once again drawn in the same group as the Soviets. In the opening group match in October 1974, Ireland shocked the Soviets by hammering them 3-0 at Dalymount Park, as Don Givens netted himself a hat-trick.

Their opponents would have the last laugh, however, as they qualified for Yugoslavia ’76 by a single point, despite the best efforts of Givens, who also scored five goals in two games against Turkey. It was a time when Don Givens was best known as a top class striker, rather than a rubbish youth team manager fond of making enemies with teenagers.

Republic of Ireland 1-1 Soviet Union, Hanover, 1988

Both teams went into the match with two points, after the Soviet Union defeated Holland 1-0, and Ireland had a famous victory over England in Stuttgart thank to a sixth minute goal from Ray Houghton. A win for either team would more than likely put them through to the semi-finals. Ireland opened the scoring in the 38th minute thanks to an absolutely magnificent goal from Ronnie Whelan (see below).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mick McCarthy took a long throw, and Whelan somehow managed to loop the ball from the edge of the area and into the top corner. Oleh Protasov would equalise for the Russians in the 72nd minute, however, and after losing to Holland in the final group game, Ireland would miss out on the next round.

The game is also remembered by many supporters for the quality of football played by Ireland on the day. The players seemed to go against Big Jack’s long ball, put-em-under pressure style of play and passed the ball around on the deck to great effect.

It was the start of a great era for the Irish national team as they were to qualify for the World Cup in 1990 and 1994. Euro 88, however, remains the only European Championships they have qualified for, though technically they made the last eight of Euro 64.

Republic of Ireland 0-2 Russia, Landsdown Road, 1996

When Shay Given steps onto the pitch against Russia this evening, he will be making his 107th appearance for the Boys in Green. His first cap came 14-years-ago against the same opposition in a friendly at Landsdowne Road. The result wasn’t what he would have wanted – Ireland lost 2-0 and Roy Keane was sent off.

“I remember it quite well, actually. Lots of family and friends and cousins came to watch the game,” Given said recently in an interview.

“We lost 2-0, which wasn’t ideal, but I got to play for my country, which I never thought I would do growing up in Donegal, so it was pretty special.”

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