Which was the first International you attended?

[gspain]

Finland. Think it was either 1989 or 1991. He was taken off early because Jack Charlton is a ****

Brady was substituted before ht v West Germany in Sept 89. He subsequently played again v Finland in May 1990 in his testimonial.

[magic moments]

First game was a freindly against Engalnd at wembley in March 1985 lost 2-1 brady scoring in the last few minutes went under Gary baileys legs i believe...

[geysir]

Finland. Think it was either 1989 or 1991. He was taken off early because Jack Charlton is a ****

The game was arranged as a Brady Testimonial.
"BYE BYE BRADY! Liam Brady bowed out of football in this, Ireland's last home game before the World Cup. As arranged with Jack Charlton beforehand, Liam played for 25 minutes of the first half, before being replaced by Andy Townsend. And in those twenty five minutes, although he did nothing spectacular, he gave us a glimpse of the skill that has graced our international team for the last 16 years.
The end, when it came, was emotional. As Townsend started his up routine, a chant of "Leave him on, Leave him on, Leave him on" rang round the ground. That was not to be, with Brady signalling to the bench that he would abide by their decision - he was, after all, a guest in the team. He left, applauded by his team mates and the Finns, to a standing ovation from the 40,000 in Lansdowne, and the good wishes of the multitudes watching on TV.
After that it was back to the mundane task of warming up for the World Cup, and a mediocre job it was"

[derek1111]

My first game was also jack charlton's first game ! 1986 versus Wales. 1-0 defeat and if memory serves I think Neville Southall broke his ankle on the not-so-carpet-like surface of Landsdownd Rd

[NeilMcD]

Mine was Wales at home, Jack Charltons first game in charge. We lost 1-0 to an Ian Rush goal and Southal broke his ankle on the lovely turf at LR. I was also at the 1-1 draw against Uruguay too.

[NeilMcD]

Damn I posted that up in Quick reply without looking at the previous post, pretty spook that.

[Stuttgart88]

Aldo hit the post & missed a penno. He then took 20 games to score his first. I wonder how many he would have scored if he'd got off the mark in his first cap?

[geysir]

"As long as we play the 'get it forward quickly' game we will not see the best of Aldridge. He is purely a goalpoacher." Giles 1987 after the home game against Belgium 0-0.

[AidoM]

Poland at Dalymount, 1969 if I recall rightly.

Mine too and haven't missed any home game, competitive or friendly since

First away was France in 1978, I think, when O'Leary nearly had his leg broken with a horiffic over the top tackle We lost

[onenilgameover]

Ireland V France Dallymount 1987/6 I picked up the programme recently...which was great....was it 0-0 I cant really remember. I was 8 at the time. Was also at the 1 0 victory against Brazil awhile later only 17,000 at that have programme for that too although bought after the event

[Donegalcelt]

Brazil game was in May 87, while France 0-0 was February 1989 - Steve Staunton's debut and it was really cold!

[pineapple stu]

France 0-0 was February 1989 - Steve Staunton's debut and it was really cold!

Andy Townsend's debut, not Stan's - Stan played in the 4-0 v. Tunisia in around September 1988.

[Donegalcelt]

I stand corrected, cheers

[onenilgameover]

Brazil game was in May 87, while France 0-0 was February 1989 - Steve Staunton's debut and it was really cold!

Ah so the Brazil game was me first game so...I thought the France match was before it. I remember the Brazil game better and it was in landsdowne and not dallymount which is maybe why i thought it was before it. Don't remember the France Match being cold but I remember that lad Bat's in goal. Remember him being class and having a class name Joel Bats I think it was.

[Superhoops]

First away was France in 1978, I think, when O'Leary nearly had his leg broken with a horiffic over the top tackle We lost

You are older than you think! That game was played in November 1976 when we lost 2-0. Platini scored the first goal and Stapleton had a header ruled out for a dubious offside decision.

[ramondo]

Against Romania - but this was a friendly at Landsdowne which we won 2-0, probably the first time we ever played them.

Don't remember who scored. It must have been '87 or '88. I'd just been to a job interview in Swords but had turned it down. This upset the owl fellah so much he couldn't enjoy the game. (How different my life would have been if I'd taken it.)

Anyway, I would have put money on the opposition for Brady's international testimonial being Sweden - but it must have been Finland if everyone agrees.

[Superhoops]

Against Romania - but this was a friendly at Landsdowne which we won 2-0, probably the first time we ever played them.

Don't remember who scored. It must have been '87 or '88.

Played in March 1988, A goal in each half, Kevin Moran and David Kelly the scorers.

[geysir]

First away was France in 1978, I think, when O'Leary nearly had his leg broken with a horiffic over the top tackle We lost

I remember some who made it to that '76 game saying there were some 5? thousand supporters at that game, no specific allocation, just scattered in pockets around the ground. For us at home watching on RTE, the picture went early in the game, left us with only a blank screen and the commentary.

[OwlsFan]

I remember some who made it to that '76 game saying there were some 5? thousand supporters at that game, no specific allocation, just scattered in pockets around the ground. For us at home watching on RTE, the picture went early in the game, left us with only a blank screen and the commentary.

I was at that game. There wouldn't have been 5000 Irish at it. Maybe 2000. My first time out of Ireland and the usual disallowed goal. Have never seen it on a replay since but I was convinced at the time it was a good 'un.

There was a sizeable following away from home in those day even though there was no where like the publicity the team now gets on Tv and newspapers.

I always dreamt we'd make it some day to a final though and I'll never experience again the ecstasy of that Scotland win in Sofia. Money cannot buy that feeling, having faithfully followed the team in the wilderness for almost 20 years prior to that momentous day. Almost still brings a tear to my eye I suppose that's why the likes of Keane in Saipan really hurt me and still does when I think of the agonies of previous campaigns trying to get to the WC Finals and here was our best player turning his back ona WC Final. Still can't believe it happened because as 4th seed now, it may be a long time before we're back.The current generation of supporters expect us to be there - the rest of us remember the barren years and pray they won't be back.

[NY Hoop]

I always dreamt we'd make it some day to a final though and I'll never experience again the ecstasy of that Scotland win in Sofia. Money cannot buy that feeling, having faithfully followed the team in the wilderness for almost 20 years prior to that momentous day. Almost still brings a tear to my eye I suppose that's why the likes of Keane in Saipan really hurt me and still does when I think of the agonies of previous campaigns trying to get to the WC Finals and here was our best player turning his back ona WC Final. Still can't believe it happened because as 4th seed now, it may be a long time before we're back.The current generation of supporters expect us to be there - the rest of us remember the barren years and pray they won't be back.

Although not as old as you my sentiments exactly.

KOH