Starting Wednesday night at 10.25pm on Network 2. Four part documentary on the history of Irish soccer.
Thanks for the heads up. Just set the Skybox with series link. Spotted a movie worth watching on the same night on RTE1 'Shutter Island'
First two were good about the history of the game up until 1980 or so, tonights though is when the real craic begins.
I watched the 1st part last night. This in my opinion is one of the best researched sports programmes I have ever seen. The amount of amazing historical footage that the producers gathered together was remarkable as well as all the letters and newspaper clipping's. I also thought the academics that were interviewed for the documentary made great contributions and they were not familiar to me. Just watched the second part tonight. It too was superb and I have learned something new about the history of Irish/English football. If you had asked me before tonight 'who was the first team to beat England at home?' my answer would have been 'Hungary.' I never knew about the Ireland victory (not recognized as an official Ireland by the English FA) game v England at Goodison Park, Liverpool in 1949. I also never knew about the Irish team doing the Nazi salutes before playing Germany in Bremen in 1939. Was that Barry Davies doing the match commentary of the United Ireland (Shamrock Rovers XI) v Brazil in 1973? The second part also brought back memories to me of listening on the radio to Ireland beating France in a World Cup qualifier in Landsdowne in 1977. How I celebrated that goal believing that Eoin Hand was going to get us to qualify for the World Cup. I am looking forward to the last two parts and know thry won't disappoint.
Watch parts 1 and 2 last night and was great show Going to watch part 3 today, very well put together and researched
Must add that alot of the second episode was covered by John Giles in his autobiography A great read for anyone Shows the FAI as the bandits they were (are)
Just caught the end of tonites show.....gutted I missed this particular episode cus it covers all the tournaments I remembered growing up!!! Is it repeated at all?????
Last episode tonight. Should be a good one as well! On a side note there's a special football focus on BBC 1 tonight from Poland at 11.45pm for anyone who's interested.
Watched part 3 yesterday and was surprised to see Dunphy get so upset during it Looking forward to final episode tonight
The second part also brought back memories to me of listening on the radio to Ireland beating France in a World Cup qualifier in Landsdowne in 1977. How I celebrated that goal believing that Eoin Hand was going to get us to qualify for the World Cup. That French match under Eoin Hand was for the 82 finals Lionel, pity it didn't show Seamus McDonagh's last minute miracle save that afternoon...only for that last minute goal in Belgium, not to mention the disallowed goal in Paris....
For those that enjoyed Part 3 (myself enjoyed) and want another programme about the era. BBC 5 Live Jackie's Army http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01jhsbt/5_live_Sport_Jackies_Army/#programme-info
No it was 1977. I was thinking about. Had the wrong manager though in my mind. Just checked and it was Giles in charge back then.