ROI v Argentina - 29/05/79

[EalingGreen]

With Maradona being in Scotland as Argentina manager at the moment, there has been a lot of talk about him scoring against them as a 17 year old player old at Hampden back in 1979.
However, this was part of a European tour, whereby he has actually made his first appearance in Europe in Dublin a few days earlier.

I remember going down to that game with a mate from QUB. We decided to hitch down to save money and I remember turning down a couple of lifts which were only going part way, before we got one which was going all the way - there was a petrol strike in the Republic at the time and we were scared of being stranded!
Anyhow, for a 0-0 draw, I seem to recall it was quite a good game, with Liam Brady running the show in the first half.
Then for the second half, Argentina introduced this "wonder-kid" we'd heard rumours of. He certainly didn't disappoint! You didn't need to know anything about football to know that this youngster was something special. Even Brady, who was near his pomp at the time, had to play "second fiddle".

Anyhow, in checking the details on www.rsssf.com, I note they say this was "Not Considered a Full International".
http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/ier-intres.html#3
Can anyone remind me why this should have been?

Edit: While doing some more digging, I see that this game is not listed on Soccerscene's list of (Official) games: http://www.soccerscene.ie/sssenior/matches.php
The Programme cover indicates that it might have been organised by someone at Shamrock Rovers, with part/all? proceeds going to Charity/Unicef?

[Stuttgart88]

Interesting. I used to always say that my first Ireland game was against France in '81 but I was actually at the Argentina game.

You're also older than I guessed you were. QUB in '79?

[Dotsy]

This was my first Ireland game although as a 12 year old in the middle of the South terrace I didn't have a great view of the action.

[Billsthoughts]

that programme in the house somewhere...

[EastTerracer]

Of course Diego did play again in Dublin the following year as well in an official international - we lost 1-0 but I well remember the excitement of going to see him play.

The 1979 game is recorded now as Shamrock Rovers XI vs Argentina (as was the all-Ireland XI that played Brazil in 1973). However, in the Argentinian records it is regarded as a full international.

http://www.sportsfile.com/id/106507/

[geysir]

That was the 1980 game which was official.

This is what the Argentine FA say about 1979 game
El rival se presentó como Liga de Irlanda pero fueron oficializados por la FIFA.
We were regarded as LOI but FIFA gave official sanction.

Do they have that official sanction in writing?

Loudest cheer went up for Davy Langan when he out maradonnered Maradona.

[OwlsFan]

I wonder is this the sort of thread the History section was set up for ?

http://foot.ie/forumdisplay.php?f=102

[fergalr]

Was at this and have just dug out the program.

The welcome message is from a Martin E Marren, president, Irish committee of UNICEF and says:

The Argentine Football Association by their presence here tonight have nade a Champion's gesture to the cause of UNICEF in this the "International Year of the Child". Through the good office of Mr Louis Kilcoyne both UNICEF and Shamrock Rovers will share in the proceeds of tonight's game.

Hmmmm.

[McShels]

Of course Diego did play again in Dublin the following year as well in an official international - we lost 1-0 but I well remember the excitement of going to see him play.

The 1979 game is recorded now as Shamrock Rovers XI vs Argentina (as was the all-Ireland XI that played Brazil in 1973). However, in the Argentinian records it is regarded as a full international.

http://www.sportsfile.com/id/106507/

I knew he played here twice but for the life of me I couldnt remember the 2nd occassion, even though I was at both games but I was only 8/9 at the time of the 2 games