Ronnie Whelan's goal in Euro 88 - how does it rank?

darkman2

Surely one of the best goals ever at a Euros. Ok he may have shinned it but still in terms of spectacular live play this is up there surely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EDQNJmiVsg

(50 seconds in)

Now I did not see this game live because I am too young but I did watch it almost in full and the way Ireland played was brilliant almost like Barcelona today. Funny thing is it was under Jack Charlton. They should have won that game before Holland fluked us out of the competition. But anyway the goal - brilliant is all I will say shin or no shin. One of the best ever in a Euros.

monkey9

As the saying goes about that tournament....we won a match we should have lost, we drew a match we should have won and we lost a match we should have drawn!!

Zebra3

Best goal anyone has ever scored with their shin!

Fizman

Zebra3 wrote: »

Best goal anyone has ever scored with their shin!

Oh rly?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzpqEGq42YQ

monkey9

The squad we had back then was awesome. We had players who were playing for the best teams in England, teams who were challenging for titles. Nowadays, Irish players don't get near the first teams of the top clubs because of the global influx and we've suffered.

In fact, around that time is probably the best squad we've ever had!!

monkey9

Fizman wrote: »

Oh rly?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzpqEGq42YQ

Whelan's was in a bigger match! Legendary!!!

EdenHazard

monkey9 wrote: »

The squad we had back then was awesome. We had players who were playing for the best teams in England, teams who were challenging for titles. Nowadays, Irish players don't get near the first teams of the top clubs because of the global influx and we've suffered.

In fact, around that time is probably the best squad we've ever had!!

Different times, loads of those players wouldn't be playing for top teams now.

d22ontour

EdenHazard wrote: »

Different times, loads of those players wouldn't be playing for top teams now.

They would be aged 40-50 now, of course they wouldn't...

grenache

Probably my earliest footballing memory, Tony Galvin up and down the wing with the socks around the ankles look. He terrorised the Soviets that day.

Actually Galvin's style and look was very reminiscent of John Robertson's at Forest.

dreamers75

Screamer!

darkman2

EdenHazard wrote: »

Different times, loads of those players wouldn't be playing for top teams now.

You are right. They would have been too good for what passes for top football now.

manster

Marco van Basten scored the goal of the tournament in 88 if I remember currently. Holland v USSR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J_DwsO9bIY&sns=em

Van bastens goal was something else.

Nunu

I was at that game. An incredible performance and such heartbreak when Protasov got that late eqauliser.

Funny thing is even if we had hung on to 1-0 we still wouldn't have made the semi final the way results went.

Also, Tony Galvin is fluent in russian. The soviets didn't know and spoke freely in their native tongue never expecting any of the opposition to understand. Anytime their manager called a player over for some tactical advice Galvin was in earshot and would pass it on to Maurice Setters!

population

It may be off the shin alright, but I certainly couldn't direct a ball like that with my shin! Immense goal from an immense player

The_Kew_Tour

EdenHazard wrote: »

Different times, loads of those players wouldn't be playing for top teams now.

Im sorry, but I had to laugh when I read this.

We outplayed the finalist and matched a team that contained Van Basten, Gullit, Koeman and Rijkaard in a game where they scored the only goal in history to have a header with spin on it.

What more do you want really.

The_Kew_Tour

Nunu wrote: »

I was at that game. An incredible performance and such heartbreak when Protasov got that late eqauliser.

Funny thing is even if we had hung on to 1-0 we still wouldn't have made the semi final the way results went.

Also, Tony Galvin is fluent in russian. The soviets didn't know and spoke freely in their native tongue never expecting any of the opposition to understand. Anytime their manager called a player over for some tactical advice Galvin was in earshot and would pass it on to Maurice Setters!

Great story.

Did you go to England game? because if you did I am jealous!

JerryHandbag

Nunu wrote: »

Funny thing is even if we had hung on to 1-0 we still wouldn't have made the semi final the way results went.

Was puzzled by this but then realised those were the days of 2 pts for a win!


I remember Aldridge screaming a Van Basten-esque volley just over the bar to almost make it 2-0.

The_Kew_Tour

Hard to believe Ireland were 8 minutes away from a Semi Final...

Wim Kieft you ****!!

Kerrydude1981

That was some goal by Ronnie that night,first thing I think of though when I think about that Russia game is Tony Galvin tearing the Russia defence apart,sock down around the ankles,probably wouldnt get away with that today,ref would probably book him

darkman2

Oh for the days when footballers made real tackles which were allowed and didn't cheat by diving. Compared to the weeds playing football today it is so refreshing to take a video of any of these games at them Euros and watch it from beginning to end. Proper tackles and little whinging.

electrobanana

darkman2 wrote: »

Oh for the days when footballers made real tackles which were allowed and didn't cheat by diving. Compared to the weeds playing football today it is so refreshing to take a video of any of these games at them Euros and watch it from beginning to end. Proper tackles and little whinging.

You forgot one really bad thing..the pass back to the keeper that alone would take up about 20 mins of a game..everything else you said was spot on

ArmaniJeanss

EdenHazard wrote: »

Different times, loads of those players wouldn't be playing for top teams now.

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Im sorry, but I had to laugh when I read this.

We outplayed the finalist and matched a team that contained Van Basten, Gullit, Koeman and Rijkaard in a game where they scored the only goal in history to have a header with spin on it.

What more do you want really.

I think Eden has a fair point.
Back then in order to get a role at say centrehalf with a top 6 English team you needed to be one of the best 12 centrehalfs in the UK and Ireland.
Nowadays to get the same role you need to be better in the position than huge swathes of players from Eastern Europe, Scandanavia, Africa and the USA.
Logic would dictate that nowadays some of those Ireland players would be pushed down the pecking order and end up plying their trade at teams in the lower levels of the top division.

My EURO88 story would be watching it in a cheap 'hotel' bar in Paddington London with 5 or 6 other Irish and about two dozen scary-looking black dudes. The hotel was little more than a front for prostitution, drug-dealing and other nefarious activities but it was about all we could afford.

Anyway, midway through the second half Ray Houghton made about 4 flying tackles in 30 seconds at which stage one of my mates yelled "look at Ray Houghton, he's working like a fcuking niggger". Thought we'd be bashed but thankfully the drugdealers and pimps laughed it off.

Lumbo

Love that goal. One of my favorite Ireland goals ever.

I've watched it back there a few times now. Does anyone think it was a foul throw by McCarty?

The_Kew_Tour

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

I think Eden has a fair point.
Back then in order to get a role at say centrehalf with a top 6 English team you needed to be one of the best 12 centrehalfs in the UK and Ireland.
Nowadays to get the same role you need to be better in the position than huge swathes of players from Eastern Europe, Scandanavia, Africa and the USA.
Logic would dictate that nowadays some of those Ireland players would be pushed down the pecking order and end up plying their trade at teams in the lower levels of the top division.

Not really having a go, but by your logic the Holland players who made it at Milan were lucky that not many Argentian, Brazilian and other countries you mentioned.

Different times maybe, but that Ireland side has some good quality.

Nunu

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Great story.

Did you go to England game? because if you did I am jealous!

Ye we were at the england game too.

Couldn't get tickets for the Holland game. We were outside the ground right up to kick off, but there were just too many dutch looking too and they were flush with cash...touts dream! Worst part was an FAI official selling to highest bidder (dutch). I was a kid so didnt understand but my Dad was spitting venom he was so mad!

Ended up catching the 2nd half on tv...terrible experience.

From 88 - 93 we went to most Ireland games and it wasnt until the world cup qualifier at home to Spain in 93 that i witnessed us lose a game. I was starting to believe it was our fault the dutch beat us because we werent there

thegen

My mate was on his honeymoon, has a picture with his new wife under the scoreboard, Irl 1-0 Eng, what a photo, framed and up in his house

The_Kew_Tour

Nunu wrote: »

Ye we were at the england game too.

Couldn't get tickets for the Holland game. We were outside the ground right up to kick off, but there were just too many dutch looking too and they were flush with cash...touts dream! Worst part was an FAI official selling to highest bidder (dutch). I was a kid so didnt understand but my Dad was spitting venom he was so mad!

Ended up catching the 2nd half on tv...terrible experience.

From 88 - 93 we went to most Ireland games and it wasnt until the world cup qualifier at home to Spain in 93 that i witnessed us lose a game. I was starting to believe it was our fault the dutch beat us because we werent there

Of any game, if I had to pick one game that I would love to have been old enough to go to it would have been Ireland v England in Stuttgart, no question about it.

plasmaguy

McCarthy's assist wasn't bad either.

The glory years imo, will we ever see their like again.

Jesus Wept

A good goal, not a great goal Bill.

fryup

it was a "shinner" came off his shin, great throw from mccarthy though

eire4

monkey9 wrote: »

The squad we had back then was awesome. We had players who were playing for the best teams in England, teams who were challenging for titles. Nowadays, Irish players don't get near the first teams of the top clubs because of the global influx and we've suffered.

In fact, around that time is probably the best squad we've ever had!!

I would agree with that. For me the best team we have ever had. Amazing when you think about it how close we came to winning the title given how well we played against Holland the eventual winners and the then Soviet Union who were eventual runners up. Liam Brady's absence because of the red card in that final qualifier against Bulgaria really hurt us as well I always felt.

bohsboy

I'll never forget watching that game down the pub as a teenager. I still have a freeze frame image in my head of Dasayev full stretch and the ball just crossing the line.

There was a 2 second "wtf:eek:" moment and only when the camera panned to Whelan running to the sideline the place went mental. It was only a few days since the England match and people were just in shock.
Pity was we absolutely controlled the game, there was a horrific challenge on Tony Galvin in the second half by Dasayev to prevent a definite second which was a certain peno. Still, all the same, fantastic memories.

In the Dutch game, I still get annoyed at Mc Graths header from the corner that hit the post, hit Weuters in the back and onto the post again. So close. The Dutch were amazing though.

fryup

eire4 wrote: »

Liam Brady's absence because of the red card in that final qualifier against Bulgaria really hurt us as well I always felt.

don't think Brady would have been picked anyway, he didn't suit Charlton's style..he passed the ball too much

SEPT 23 1989

Those years were the high water mark and i feel privileged
to have witnessed them

G.K.

You all make me feel young.

plasmaguy

A moment of sheer footballing brilliance or just a lucky fluke, take your pick.

I think it was just a case of Whelan throwing a leg at it and hoping for the best.

He didn't even catch it right, he shinned it.

Best goal of a shin in history.

plasmaguy

A moment of sheer footballing brilliance or just a lucky fluke, take your pick.

I think it was just a case of Whelan throwing a leg at it and hoping for the best.

He didn't even catch it right, he shinned it.

Best goal of a shin in history.

Father Damo

Fizman wrote: »

Oh rly?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzpqEGq42YQ

That isnt even one of Rooneys greatest ever goals. Most overrated one Ive ever seen.

Cant believe I never saw that Whelan goal before. Unreal. Some long length throw in, I know Trap has his ways but jesus Delap would be some asset.

Orando Broom

I broke my arse for three weeks after trying to recreate Ronnie Whelan's goal! Damn you Ronnie Whelan!!!

FutureGuy

Father Damo wrote: »

Cant believe I never saw that Whelan goal before.

There are times in your life when you realize how old you are. This is one of those times.

eire4

fryup wrote: »

don't think Brady would have been picked anyway, he didn't suit Charlton's style..he passed the ball too much

Funny I hear where your coming from. But Charlton always picked Brady during the qualifiers and whenever he was available.

Father Damo

FutureGuy wrote: »

There are times in your life when you realize how old you are. This is one of those times.

But....correct me if Im wrong but, Ive hardly ever heard this talked up as much as other classic goals/ moments (O`Leary 1990, Houghton 94 and 88, the way in 30 years time Keane vs Germany will still be remembered)

The_Kew_Tour

Father Damo wrote: »

But....correct me if Im wrong but, Ive hardly ever heard this talked up as much as other classic goals/ moments (O`Leary 1990, Houghton 94 and 88, the way in 30 years time Keane vs Germany will still be remembered)

What memories I have of that goal.

Ireland never ever scored goals late on in games up to then. For years it was Goals late on that cost us. Thinking of Croatia and Macedonia alone in campaign before that for euro 2000.

I remember sitting at home watching that game with 5-10 minutes to go just thinking that this was it, our WC was over, kinda half happy that we gave it our all and that maybe we hopefully would end it on high against Saudi Arabia.

and then ball comes in from Finnan, and Quinn gets a head to it, and falls to Robbie from there it must have taken what seemed like 5 minutes for him to decide what to do before it hit the net and I went absolutely bananas running around the whole house like crazed young teenager.

From then on Robbie could do no wrong in my eyes.

Beefy78

Fizman wrote: »

Oh rly?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzpqEGq42YQ

RVP's shinned volley against Charlton was better.

daithijjj

People are underestimating Whelans goal a bit. When you compare the goal you have to appreciate that he struck it with his 'swinger', so when people talk up Rooney's or Van Persie's you have to imagine them doing that with their 'bad' foot really. It was on the big stage. Whelan was a class player.

And when people talk about 'different times', they should realise that those Irish players could go out drinking for 24 hours walk onto a pitch and still batter the team we have currently imho.

Beefy78

I'm a Southend fan and I think it's fair to say that a few of the bars in Southend saw their profits nosedive after Whelan lost his job as our player-manager.

RVP's goal with his shin was better than Rooney's is the point that I was trying to make. Whelan's looks more spectacular as it's from such a distance out. I love the technique of the RVP goal though.

rossie1977

EdenHazard wrote: »

Different times, loads of those players wouldn't be playing for top teams now.

whelan, aldridge, houghton, sheedy, stapleton in their primes would easily get on the top teams today

celtictiger32

whelans goal beats rooneys hands down. bigger game, better goal.

monkey9

Some people have a go at George Hamilton, but i've grown up with his commentary and everytime i think of a big Ireland goal, it's always soundtracked by George Hamilton's commentary! "Oh, Wheelaaaann!!!! Aaaand Ronnie Whelan's done it!!!!"

It'll be a sad day when he retires!!!