35 years ago today in the words of George Hamilton “The Nation Holds Its Breath” after Packie Bonner had saved Daniel Timeofte’s penalty, it was left to Arsenal’s David O Leary to fire home the winning penalty that saw Ireland into the last 8 to face Italy.
That few weeks back in 1990 as I have so often been told were so special for people of every race and creed, I myself was only 6 weeks and was in hospital in Tralee as all the fun and games were unfolding.
Many people have recounted to me what that few weeks were like here in Tarbert and throughout the rest of the country. I can only go on people’s memories, YouTube footage of the penalties and of course the film “The Van” certainly brings to life what it was like at the time.
Utter madness would sum it up perfectly I think. With social media, every sort of a moment in time is brought back to life on a yearly basis, good, bad or indifferent. Every year via a few social media channels will share that special moment when Dave O Leary smashed home the penalty to secure Ireland’s passage through. Packie Bonner’s save is also shown as are George Hamilton’s iconic few words that said “the nation holds its breath”.
For generations since that 20 minutes still holds a special place in people’s hearts. The full penalty shoot-out can be found on YouTube. It allows those off us no yet born or too young to remember it experience what it felt like at that time.
It is great to see the sparkle in people’s eyes if you bring up the shoot out or ask them for any recollections of it that they have. In a haze of drink for some people, exam time for more, coming in early from work for another group. Pure excitement and enjoyment for people is what I hear if I mention it to people.
It is hard to believe that those penalties were on 35 years ago on this date. It is fantastic to still see the enjoyment and pleasure the footage brings to people if they see it now 35 years on….
I was only 6 weeks old and had to wait until USA 1994 but more so Japan and South Korea in 2002 to experience the Republic Of Ireland at a World Cup. Here’s hoping that they can reach the USA in 2026 and those special moments can be recreated 36 years on from Italia 90…