On This Day – 15th June 15th June 1988: The Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with the Soviet Union at the Niedersachen Stadium in Hanover in the second series of group matches in the UEFA EURO 88 Championship Finals. Both sides came into this match with
On This Day – 15th June
15th June 1988: The Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with the Soviet Union at the Niedersachen Stadium in Hanover in the second series of group matches in the UEFA EURO 88 Championship Finals. Both sides came into this match with 1-0 victories from their opening matches knowing that victory would guarantee a semi-final place. Ireland took a deserved lead in the 38th minute when Mick McCarthy’s long throw was met by Ronnie Whelan who hit a spectacular bicycle kick past goalkeeper Rinat Dasayev to spark off jubilant scenes of celebration for the large Irish contingent in the 45,290 crowd. Dasayev was injured in a clash with Tony Galvin and was replaced in the 68th minute by Viktor Chanov who sadly passed away three years ago as a result of being the victim of an assault. The Soviets equalised in the 74th minute when Oleg Protasov found himself clear and shot past Packie Bonner. With the Netherlands defeating England, it meant that both Ireland and the Soviet Union needed only to draw their final matches in order to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament.
15th June 1996: The Republic of Ireland defeated Bolivia by 3-0 in their final US Cup match at the Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It was manager Mick McCarthy’s first taste of victory at the eighth attempt. The Irish goalscorers were Keith O’Neill (12, 33) and Ian Harte (45) – his first international goal. Packie Bonner replaced Shay Given in the Irish goal with four minutes remaining to win his 80th and final cap with Dave Savage of Millwall winning his fifth and final cap.
