Republic of Ireland Squad at 1988 Euro Finals

Ireland's first participation in a major football championship finals occurred at Euro 1988. The Irish football manager that achieved the breakthrough was English World Cup winner Jack Charlton. Ireland had topped the Euro 1988 qualification group courtesy of an unlikely win by Scotland in Bulgaria. For Irish fans of that time the name Gary Mackay will always be cherished as it was his late goal in Sofia that led directly to Ireland's qualification for the finals in Germany.

When Jack Charlton chose his squad he largely relied upon the players that had featured during the Euro 88 qualification campaign. The main absentee was Liam Brady who missed the tournament through injury. This meant that one of Ireland's greatest players would never grace a major football championship. David O'Leary who would have made it into most nation's squads did not come into the reckoning because Charlton felt that O'Leary have previously snubbed the Irish manager.

With 63 caps Frank Stapleton was the most experienced player in the squad as well as being Ireland's record goal scorer at the time. Stapleton captained the team during the tournament. With just three caps David Kelly was the least experienced Irish player and he had not played in any of the qualification group matches. Nevertheless his scoring record for Ireland of four goals in his first three matches was impressive.

Republic of Ireland Squad Details

Ireland & 1990 World Cup Finals - Irish Squad World Cup 1990
Ireland V England 1990 - Ireland V Egypt 1990 - Ireland V Holland 1990
Ireland V Romania 1990 - Ireland V Italy 1990
Ireland & 1994 World Cup Finals - Irish Squad World Cup 1994
Ireland V Italy 1994 - Ireland V Mexico 1994 - Ireland V Norway 1994 - Ireland V Netherlands 1994
Ireland & 2002 World Cup Finals - 2002 World Cup Irish Squad - 2002 World Cup Irish Group Matches
Ireland V Cameroon 2002 - Ireland V Germany 2002 - Ireland V Saudi Arabia 2002 - Ireland V Spain 2002

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