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Rep Of Ireland Euro 88
Bonner, Morris, McCarthy, Moran, Hughton, Houghton, McGrath, Whelan, Galvin, Stapleton, Aldridge. Subs - Quinn, Sheedy
v
Rep of Ireland WC Qualifiers
Given, Carr, O'Brien, Cunningham, Finnan, Reid, Roy Keane, Kavanagh, Duff, Morrison, Robbie Keane
Deffo the current team, they'd be much fitter than a team of 40 somethings.
:D
I think it'd be close but I'd probably edge towards the Euro 88 team. Maybe a bit of nostalgia is clouding my judgement but I think like for like, there was a bit more quality in the old team.
Looking at that 88 side makes you wonder how we were such underdogs. On paper 88 was a better side though a lot were towards the end of their careers.
If all these 22 players were in their prime today I'd select:
Bonner
Carr-McGrath-Moran-Hughton
Houghton-Whelan-Keane-Duff
Robbie-Aldo
Aldo over Frank the Plank because I reckon we never saw the best of him due to the way we played under Jack. Andy Reid has great potential but Rayo did it all for us. Bonner vs Shay is a tough call. Shay more consistent (and probably more talented) but Bonner had two really great years for us.
That's 7 from 88 vs 4 from today.
I'd have to say I'd pick Given over Bonner, otherwise I can't argue with that. People forget how many talented players we had during the 80s (Even when we couldn't quality for anything) and early 90s.