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The latest in our look back at classic matches recalls the day in 2002 that Senegal pulled off arguably the biggest World Cup shock of all time.
Read More »World Cup Vault: The Day That Senegal Stunned World Champions France
Tag Archives: 2002 world cup
Five Memorable Republic Of Ireland National Team Debuts
Ireland take on Turkey on Friday afternoon with a number of new faces in tow looking to become the latest to pull on the green jersey (or white, probably, it being an away game and all). Aaron McCarey, Kieran O’Hara, Matt Doherty, Declan Rice, Enda Stevens, Derrick Williams, Darragh Lenihan and Scott Hogan are the uncapped players in the squad …
Read More »Ronaldo Finally Tells The Story Behind His Infamous 2002 World Cup Hairstyle
Arguably the most memorable image from Brazil's 2002 World Cup triumph was of their star striker Ronaldo.
Read More »Watch: Graham Poll Talks Dealing With ‘Scary’ Roy Keane In Fascinating Interview
Top former referee Graham Poll gives a fascinating insight into his life as a referee- including how he dealt with the 'scary' Roy Keane.
Read More »Shay Given Lifts The Lid On Roy Keane’s Infamous Saipan Row With Mick McCarthy
Shay Given has opened up on the row between teammate Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy that threatened to derail their 2002 World Cup campaign.
Read More »Watch: It’s 16 Years Since Keane Laid Down A Marker & McAteer Shocked Holland
Sixteen years ago today Ireland recorded one of their most historic victories, beating Holland at home in the old Lansdowne Road in what was a do or die game for the Dutch. Winning the game 1-0 gave the Boys in Green a real shot in the arm in their hopes of qualifying for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South …
Read More »15 Years On From Saipan Mick McCarthy Says He Wouldn’t Change A Thing
Fifteen years on from that famous incident in Saipan, which threatened to derail the Republic of Ireland’s 2002 World Cup preparations, former Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has reflected on the events involving Roy Keane’s departure from the Irish training camp and the summer of debate that followed. Speaking to Second Captains’ Richie Sadlier, the Ipswich Town boss said he had no …
Read More »El Hadji Diouf Has Another Pop At Steven Gerrard, Compares Himself To Diego Maradona
El Hadji Diouf has been engaging in his favourite pastime again, antagonising former teammates Steven Gerrard and/or Jamie Carragher. The ex-Senegal and Liverpool forward has never been shy in aiming digs at the Anfield legends, regularly dismissing them as jealous and bitter of his successful career. Gerrard and Carragher’s comebacks to these swipes make it blatantly clear that there is …
Read More »15 Years On: Saipan – The Moment That Caused Irish Football’s Civil War
Before May 2002, Saipan was a small island in the Western Pacific Ocean that many Irish people likely had never heard of. By the end of that month, however, the very name became synonymous with one of the most fractious events in the nation’s sporting history. Relations between then-Ireland manager Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane reached the point of no return, …
Read More »The Ones That Got Away: Five Footballers Who Could Have Played For Ireland
With the European Championships just three months away, Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill is starting to get a fair idea of which players will be on the plane to France this summer. As always, there will be a number of British-born players in the travelling party – Ireland have always used the grandparent rule to great effect. Despite the …
Read More »Pub Talk’s Pointless Irish XI: Surnames Beginning With ‘K’
Pub talk after Ireland football internationals often runs in three stages, the first is to dissect the match you have just witnessed and to speculate on what the three wise men of Giles, Brady and Dunphy had to say about the game. Following a number of drinks, the conversation moves on to stage two, nostalgia and ‘the good ‘ol days’ …
Read More »Brazil 2002 vs Brazil 2014
There have been many comments that Brazil haven’t been as exciting to watch this summer as their other teams have been in the past. Sarah Fitzpatrick is here to compare the current side to previous Brazil teams. There is a simple reason for the regression in the Brazil team. They have begun a new era opting for youth and potential …
Read More »What If: Roy Keane Remained In Ireland’s 2002 World Cup Squad?
In the first of a new series that looks at the ‘what ifs’ of sporting history, Craig Farrell ponders just how far the Irish World Cup team of 2002 would have gone if Roy Keane had remained with the squad. History as it stands Ireland lost its most influential figure and captain when Roy Keane and, then Ireland manager, Mick McCarthy fell …
Read More »Genes, Pitches & Models: An Anecdotal Look at Grassroots Football
2004. Sometime in late August. Carriganard, Waterford. One of the biggest moments in a young Irish boy’s life is his schoolboy league debut. I’m ten years old, short and retaining some baby flab. I stepped onto Southend United’s pitch in Waterford and took my place at right back as my team, Tramore AFC, ran out 3-0 victors in the Waterford …
Read More »World Cup Memories: South Korea Overcome Spain (2002)
In 2002 South Korea defied the odds by beating Spain to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. However, this game is remembered more for controversial refereeing decisions rather than the achievements of the South Koreans. Before this World Cup, South Korea had never managed a single victory in their previous five campaigns. Their first ever win came against Poland in …
Read More »TBT: Ireland Crash Out Of 2002 World Cup
Seven words uttered by Robbie Keane summed up Ireland’s feelings as they filed on to their bus. “It’s the dream come to an end.” In the cruellest of fashion, Ireland had been beaten, on penalties, having salvaged a 2-2 draw with Spain the second round of the 2002 World Cup. This was a night when Mick McCarthy’s players were filled …
Read More »TBT: Senegal shock France in World Cup opener
The 2002 World Cup had its lift-off in spectacular fashion. As Senegal’s incredulous players danced around the pitch to greet their victory, the reigning world and European champions trooped off knowing that their aura of invincibility had been shattered. At the time, it was too early to suggest that France’s title defence was in tatters – but the order, involving …
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