THE second instalment of ‘The Boys in Green’ aired on RTE 1 on Monday and brought the curtain down on the Jack Charlton era.
Picking up at the qualifying campaign for Euro 92, Jack’s army narrowly missed out on reaching their third major tournament in-a-row when a late Gary Lineker goal against Poland was enough for the English to sneak through.
Director Ross Whitaker once again took his audience to the heart of the story as Ireland’s favourite Englishman, Jack Charlton, charted the Republic of Ireland’s journey to the World Cup in the United States in 1994.
It wasn’t without controversy though – the ugly atmosphere for the draw in Belfast against Northern Ireland and Jason McAteer’s admission he received death threats – brought back some haunting memories.
However, the World Cup in America allowed the Irish fans to build on their reputation and they didn’t disappoint.
Ireland’s memorable clash with Italy was the high-point of the campaign – when Ray Houghton’s goal was enough to beat the star-studded Italians in the Giant’s Stadium in New York.
But, after a defeat to Mexico and a draw with Norway – it was the Dutch once again who ended our tournament – having knocked Ireland out of Euro 88 as well.
ENGLISH FANS RIOT
The documentary also showed the effect the English fans rioting at Lansdowne Road in 1995 had on Charlton.
Speaking in the lead up to the screening, Whitaker said: “When that happened in ’95, I think what Jack had really had in my mind was his relationship with the Irish people.
“And that had meant a lot to him. And when he was being called a traitor in England, he was universally loved in Ireland.
“So then when that happened in ’95 I think it did have a huge impact on him. And it kind of unravelled kind of quickly after that.
JACK CHANGED
“Because I remember at that point in the qualifying, there was no doubt in our mind that Ireland were going to qualify for Euro ’96.
“10 points in the first four games, we were flying it.
“And after that things kind of unravelled and you do wonder about it.
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“It’s a claim made by David Kelly and backed up off-camera by a couple of the players that Jack kinda wasn’t the same after it.
“And when you watch it you do think that’s probably justified in saying that.”
Ireland would ultimately lose to Holland in a play-off in Anfield which brought the curtain down on one of the most remarkable eras in Irish sport.