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PRESIDENT MICHEAL D Higgins has welcomed members of the football squad that famously represented Ireland at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, which took place 35 years ago today.
The President hosted 15 members of the original Italia 90 squad at Áras an Uachtaráin this afternoon.
Team captain and former Ireland manager Mick McCarthy attended the event alongside Packie Bonner, Niall Quinn, Ray Houghton, John Aldridge, Ronnie Whelan, Steve Staunton, Kevin Sheedy, Kevin Moran, Andy Townsend, Chris Morris, Frank Stapleton, David Kelly, Chris Hughton and Bernie Slaven.
The team’s kitman Charlie O’Leary, who recently celebrated his 101st birthday, was also in attendance.
The squad appeared on the Late Late Show with Patrick Kielty yesterday evening.
Addressing the squad, Higgins paid tribute to the late Jack Charlton and Maurice Setters, who both passed away in 2020, as well as Alan McLoughlin, who died the following year in May 2021.
“Italia ‘90 was more than a tournament or a contest,” Higgins said. “It was a unique moment of shared national celebration, a time when Irish people, wherever they were in the world, came together in a spirit of joy, hope, and possibility.”
He recalled “the drama, the sheer exhilaration of that night in Genoa” in detail.
“These moments are etched in our collective memory — so full of emotion, of relief, of unbridled joy — belonging to all of us, not just as a sporting achievement, but as a piece of living history we treasure, as milestones in our national story, woven into the fabric of our shared experience as a people.”
Higgins spoke fondly of the team and their homecoming after reaching the quarter-finals in 1990.
“Each of you gave us something invaluable — memories of an unforgettable summer that continue to endure, a legacy that continues to inspire new generations of Irish footballers, and a confidence that comes from that great success, one that encourages us all to believe that we can do it again.”
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Ireland’s greatest ever president and Ireland’s greatest ever team.
@Anthony Curran: One outta two ain’t bad.
@Anthony Curran: great team, but glad to see the back of Higgins
@Anthony Curran: Great team awful President
@Rian O’Callaghan: Our president. A man of the people. Unafraid of those who lie and use slurs against him. I’m proud he’s ours.
@Anthony Curran: one of irelands best and underrated players Kevin Sheedy
@Anthony Curran: a vile man who supports vile countries like Iran
@Johnny Wilson: A brave leader who won’t be silenced by the bigots, racists and cheerleaders of genocide. Michael D. A true statesman of our times.
@Anthony Curran: He lied when he canvassed as a one term president.
@Vincent Alexander: No Vinny. He changed his mind. Big difference.
@Anthony Curran: all past they’re sell by date and living in the past.
@Anthony Curran: Shocking President
@Anthony Curran: How can you explain the following so, as a landlord he evicted tenants in Galway purely to make money as the Govt introduced a scheme to entice landlords to free up properties. Also he promised to be a one term president, we see how that played out.
@liam heffernan: great player
@Anthony Curran: Michael D Higgins, that great man of the people, voted for an amnesty for wealthy criminals, who were evading their taxes by falsely providing foreign addresses to the Revenue, and this at a time when PAYE workers were paying over 60% of their wages in tax!
@Rian O’Callaghan: How original.
Horrible president
@Anthony Curran: So it’s ok for politicians not to follow through on election promises. They don’t lie just change their minds.
I was an apprentice barman back in the day,I remember the penalty shootout so well ,the pub was packed,the manager told us to stop serving for the penaltys and have a pint on the house ….you could hear a pin drop when Dave O’Leary went up to take it ..and then the place erupted, honestly the best time ever ..that team brought so much joy to the nation,
A truly magical time. I don’t think I’ve seen the country so excited about a sporting event since. Shows the power of sport, the football team took a nation on its knees after a decade of recession and depression and lifted it up high. I don’t think we’ll ever see the likes of it again.
What a class time to witness… the nation holds its breath.. yes we’re there… Ireland are through to the quarterfinals in Rome on Saturday night.. I’ll never forget .. thank you 1990 Irish team for the memories
I guess everyone knows were they where the day of the most favorite time in Irish Soccer, sad to say I was on the beach, listening on the radio, like JFK everyone knew exactly were there where, great team great ( President ) Higgins )respect.
I heart Mickey D. Best prez ever.
@Treasa The Tesla Takedown Tranny: People will remember Italia 1990 with fondness, they will remember Higgins with contempt
@Johnny Wilson: He’s the people’s president. A brave and courageous man who’s not afraid of those who want to silence people who stand against genocide and ethnic cleansing.
@Anthony Curran: He is a traitor to Ireland just like you.
@Rian O’Callaghan: Well said Rian
@Treasa The Tesla Takedown Tranny:
Based on what ?
@Johnny Wilson: Maura Higgins.
@Anthony Curran: is that SF/IRA genocide?
@Rian O’Callaghan: Rian ‘Traitor’ O Callaghan.
The country was soccer crazy. It was brilliant to be a part of. Well done to the lot of them. It was an amazing time.
Wait till you see the ethnicity of our national team come 2070.
@Pól Pot: And we might be able to compete on the world stage.
@Pól Pot: Ironic given the Italia 90 squad was mostly English and Scottish.
@Pól Pot: bit of casual racism Pól.
@James Smith: like the two ones yesterday evening in Dun Laoghaire. Actually that was a form of assault.
@Veil: as well as pure racism.
@Rian O’Callaghan: Paul McGrath is Ireland’s greatest defender on my lifetime. Did you not rate him as a player?
@Pól Pot: Who cares? Oh yeah, racists!
I’m not racist. Pity our little island will have an Irish minority in the near future. Diversity is great. That’s what makes going on holiday great craic.
@Rian O’Callaghan: Bar Paul McGrath and Chris Hughton. Ya horrible racist yoke
@Rian O’Callaghan: you cannot be serious. One of the greatest to ever play for us or anyone.
@Pól Pot: with your BMI and obesity, that’s ambitous of you. Did Mammy get Ozempic from the doctor for you? Getting up in the morning, dressed, and out of the boxroom helps. Door is behind the pizza boxes.
@Treasa The Tesla Takedown Tranny: What?!
@Rian O’Callaghan: I’m not surprised that the Trump and Israel fanboys are also horrible, bitter racists. It must eat you that our national team is so diverse. Wonderful to see.
@Treasa The Tesla Takedown Tranny: 50 comments on every article!
@Brian M: Ironic? No, it’s not. That was my point. Dullards!
@Anthony Curran: Diverse National Team?
@john clarity: Yep just another border jumper nothing more. A disgrace to Ireland and an alcoholic to boot.
@Anthony Curran: Silence Traitor to Ireland. That’s all you are.
@Anthony Curran: is there anything funnier than a shinner bigot talking about racism lol
@Anthony Curran: Israel are doing an amazing job on the subhuman terrorists, long may it continue :)
I was working in Dublin City centre on the day of the penalty shoot out in a job where we couldn’t close for the match like everyone else. We got to see extra time and the penoes but then back to work. I was walking home up the middle of O’Connell Street, totally sober about 10, and this gorgeous young one celebrating jumped me and wore the face off me. Happy memories.
@Sweet Something Gacha: at least it was a woman but today it’s anyone’s guess.
@Sweet Something Gacha: happy days.
@Sweet Something Gacha: “and now we’re married… which was nice”
Shows up the complete failure of Irish Football ⚽️ hierarchy to build on that success was waisted through utter mismanagement
@Ailbhe MacThomais: and Roy Keane.
@Phillip Smyth: Roy kean wasn’t part of Italy 1990 but I had seen him play with Cobh Ramblers and was never impressed with his contributions be it club or country. Keanes attitude and certain things whilst in the Irish national management caused certain players to either stop playing for Ireland or switching nationality and at club level not great.
@A Th: I know he was not part of that team dogs on the street know that, but he was part of team that we had a good chance, never done anything after that episode.
@Phillip Smyth: next get together is the 1994 world Cup squad. I wonder would Roy Keane turn up?
Charlie Hurley still going strong and so articulate for 101. Amazing. I could not believe he was still around. That for me is something to be celebrated.
The best time of my life 1988 and 1990 and world cup 94. Pity they didn’t make Euros 92 and 96.
A very unique time. Experienced to the full. Everyone simply went nuts.
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