Irish 1970 World Cup Qualifying Campaign

For the 1970 World Cup Finals the Republic of Ireland soccer team was drawn in qualifying Group 2 that also included Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Denmark. The top team would qualify for the finals in Mexico. Mick Meagan had just been appointed as the first ever Republic of Ireland soccer manager. Up to then Irish international soccer teams were chosen by a selection committee.

Ireland’s first match in the qualifying group was at home in Dalymount Park against Denmark on 30 October 1968. Johnny Giles had equalised for Ireland with a penalty in the 40th minute however with the score 1-1 the match was abandoned early in the second half due to dense fog. The match was replayed a year later and coincidentally the final score was 1-1 also.

Ireland’s first match therefore was at home to Czechoslovakia at Dalymount Park. Despite taking an early lead through Blackburn Rovers’ Eamonn Rogers the Irish were beaten 1-2 with second half goals from Dusan Kabat and Jozef Adamec.

This was followed up by a 2-0 loss in Copenhagen to the Danes and a 1-2 home defeat at Dalymount Park to the visiting Hungarians. Don Givens was the Irish goal scorer. Things did not improve when Ireland went to Prague to play Czechoslovakia in the return away football match. A hat trick of goals from Adamec gave Czechoslovakia a comprehensive victory over the Irish.

Ireland’s only point from the 1970 World Cup qualifying campaign came from the deferred home match against Denmark mentioned above. Don Givens scored the Irish goal to earn the draw. The last match in the group for the Republic was away to Hungary.

In Budapest the Magyars handed out a 4-0 thrashing to the Irish team. This victory left Hungary and Czechoslovakia both on nine points. In those days goal difference did not matter so the two teams played a decider in neutral Marseilles, France. Czechoslovakia won 4-1 thereby qualifying for the 1970 World Cup Finals in Mexico.

Irish World Cup 1970 Qualifying Campaign – Group Table

Republic of Ireland World Cup 1970 Qualifying Campaign – Match Results

Irish World Cup Qualifying Group Results

Number of Appearances and Goals Scored in Irish World Cup Qualifying Campaigns

Irish European Championship Qualifying Group Results

Number of Appearances and Goals Scored in Irish Euro Championship Finals Qualifying Campaigns