Republic of Ireland Senior Football Team Results 1985 to 1989

The 1980’s decade was the breakthrough decade for Irish soccer which was somewhat ironic since earlier part of the 80’s had seen some poor performances from the Irish soccer team. Eoin Hand’s reign as Irish soccer team manager came to an end after a disastrous 1986 World Cup qualifying campaign where Ireland only won two matches out of eight.

The campaign ended on a particularly sour note when the Republic’s team was humbled in front of the Lansdowne Road (now the Aviva Stadium) crowd in a 1-4 defeat result to Denmark.

Jack Charlton Appointed Republic of Ireland Football Manager

In a break with tradition the FAI looked outside of Ireland for a replacement for Eoin Hand as Irish manager. Former World Cup winner with England, Jack Charlton was appointed as the Irish soccer team manager in 1986. Somewhat luckily Charlton managed to qualify Ireland for it’s first major football finals. Thanks to a late goal by Gary Mackay for Scotland against Bulgaria on 11 November 1987 Bulgaria were out and as a result Ireland qualified for the 1988 Euro Championship Finals in Germany.

Euro 88 Finals in Germany

Unbelievably for the ex-England international, and indeed the Irish team and fans, the Republic of Ireland team was drawn against England in their first ever match in a major championship finals.

And perhaps even more unbelievably the unfancied Irish beat red hot favourites England by one goal to nil. A result that is unparalleled in it’s importance to Irish soccer fans. Ray Houghton (qualified for Ireland using the Granny Rule) scored the vital goal that registered Ireland’s first win at a Euro finals championship.

An interesting oddity is that the Republic of Ireland played two friendly soccer internationals against Trinidad and Tobago in the 80’s, on 30 May 1982 and 20 June 1989. Both matches were played away in Port of Spain.

Republic of Ireland Match Results 1985 to 1989 (inclusive)

Scores in parentheses are half-time scores