I’ve just read this story and I can’t believe it . . .

Being, as I am, a big fan of Eamonn Dunphy I spent the last half an hour trying to come to terms with the details of Mr. Dunphy’s debut for the Republic of Ireland in 1965. There I was happily hopping from one electronic link to another wasting time on the internet until the Copa Libertadores kicked into action only to happen upon the details of Ireland’s clash with Spain 44 years ago.


Anyway here goes: the Republic faced Spain in a two-legged affair in 1965 with the winner destined to claim their place in the 1966 World Cup.
Now the Republic were fairly handy at the time with the likes of John Giles, Charlie Hurley, Noel Cantwell and Shay Brennan in the side. They won the first leg 1-0, but seemingly the result failed to do their efforts justice. Ireland travelled to Seville for the second leg and lost 4-1.
Thankfully FIFA didn’t use aggregate scores at the time so a winner-takes-all play-off was required at a neutral venue.
The Irish players wanted Wembley and the Spanish plumbed for Paris. The boys at FIFA suggested they toss for it, but then the Spaniards, cute as bees these lads, threw a cat among the pigeons and offered to pay all of the Republic of Ireland’s travelling expenses if the game was played in Paris.
Playing in London, obviously, offered the Republic the best chance of qualifying while Paris shortened the odds a little. The FAI snapped the hand off the Spaniards the play-off took place in Paris’ Colombes Stadium in front of 35,000 hostile supporters and Spain won 1-0.
After that Eamonn Dunphy played for the Republic a further 22 times, but between 1965 and 1972, Dunphy’s prime, Ireland only managed to win three games. Seemingly the players were a little disillusioned with it all. Can’t imagine why?

Brian McDonnell