| The World Cup USA 94 was a heated affair both on | | | | poor header from Franco Baresi, adjusts his feet, |
| and off the pitch. The sweltering heat had the entire | | | | swings a left foot, the ball loops over Gianluca Pagliuca |
| Irish team running for refreshments during the match | | | | and dips under the bar and into the net. The goal |
| never mind at half time and many most notably Stan | | | | celebration says it all and determination allowed the |
| Staunton had turned beetroot in colour. | | | | Irish to shut out the Italians and hold on to a one nil |
| The Irish had only qualified for the Finals after a late | | | | victory. |
| Alan McLaughlin goal against Northern Ireland in | | | | Later on that day Irish fans and indeed the players |
| Windsor Park. The match probably one best forgotten | | | | would learn of the events at home which would |
| due to its sectarian atmosphere, was aptly portrayed | | | | overshadow that great occasion. Loyalist paramilitaries |
| by Marie Jones' in 'A Night in November'. However | | | | had gone into a pub full of people watching the Italy, |
| Ireland marched on after the 1-1 draw due to the fact | | | | Ireland match in Loughinisland, spraying the pub with |
| that Spain had beaten Denmark that same night. | | | | bullets and in turn killing 6 people watching a football |
| USA 94 was a mixed tournament on and off the field | | | | match. Players and fans alike were devastated as it |
| for Ireland and it could be said that this was the case | | | | marked another low point in Irish History and yet |
| for football in general. It saw the demise of one of the | | | | another atrocity added to the long list, carried out by |
| legends of world football Diego Maradonna. He was | | | | both sides. |
| sent home after failing a drugs test which would be | | | | However the football continued and Ireland's next |
| the last time we would see the Argentinean maestro | | | | match was against Mexico, a decent side which by no |
| on the world stage. Of much greater magnitude was | | | | means lacked style as is characterised by their |
| the fate of a Colombian defender Escobar. Colombia | | | | flamboyant Goalkeeper Campos. His jersey, designed |
| who had been considered a dark horse to go all the | | | | by himself should not let us be distracted by the fact |
| way in the tournament were tamely knocked out in | | | | that he was one of the best Goalkeepers around at |
| the group stages. Escobar had scored an own goal | | | | this time. It was always going to be a hard fought |
| against the United States, a match they lost 2-1. | | | | match with two contrasting styles, unfortunately Ireland |
| Tragically he paid for this with his life ten days later | | | | lost out this time, going down to a 2-1 defeat. The |
| when he was shot outside a pub in a Medellin suburb, | | | | match will be remembered more for outbursts on the |
| Colombia. | | | | touchline, as confusion and indeed a delay in John |
| Ireland was drawn in a group with Italy, Mexico and | | | | Aldridge coming on as substitute, led to rants and |
| Norway. Their first match was against Italy their victors | | | | tempered exchanges with officials. The aftermath |
| four years previously. In the Giants Stadium the Irish | | | | was that Aldridge finally came on and scored and |
| team walked tall as they recorded their first ever | | | | Jack Charlton was suspended from the dugout for |
| victory in the World Cup Finals. Yet another | | | | their next game against Norway. |
| memorable day as Ray Houghton chests down a | | | | |