The 1994 FIFA World Cup—-Republic of Ireland vs. Italy

The summer of 1994 was an incredible summer for sports.  The New York Rangers made the Stanley Cup for the first time in over 54 years, the World Cup was scheduled for Giants Stadium in New Jersey and baseball was on strike.  

The thought of World Cup Soccer in New York (games were played in New Jersey) made many of the Bronx Irish excited and proud as their family and friends would be travelling to the States to see the matches since the Republic of Ireland had made the cut.  Seven of the games for the soccer tournament were held at Giants Stadium.

With more than seventy five thousand spectators present, Italy was scheduled to play Ireland on Saturday, June 18.   Italy was highly favored.  The Irish were not expected to prevail.

Throughout the game, the Irish defended their goal with the extraordinary play by Paul McGrath and Ray Houghton.  Despite the excessive heat, McGrath and the team were cool and focused. McGrath played hard and eliminated any potential for a goal. Again and again the Irish repelled the Italian attacks. In the stands were a mixed bag of passionate and casual fans. The heat and humidity was oppressive. Those unfamiliar with the rules of soccer kept watching the scoreboard and the clock for guidance.  But it was the referees who rule in soccer.  They have the final actual time and account for any delays due to injury or time outs.  

Back in 1994, there was no syncing the referee time with the clock in Giants Stadium.  It was indeed comical to see the mostly Irish Americans celebrating while the more rules knowledgeable fans were waiting for the “OK” from the referee.  When the referee gave the signal and the game was over, it was incredible to see the spectators who stayed and sang the Irish national anthem.

Final score: Ireland 1, Italy 0.  It was unprecedented.  It was the first time Ireland avoided defeat in seven previous match-ups with Italy.  Importantly, it was the first time that Italy lost their opening match in 13 World Cups.  

Back in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx an impromptu parade broke out on the streets with cheering and marching up McLean Avenue the likes of which had not been seen before nor since in that part of the Bronx, save St. Patrick’s Day.

The Republic of Ireland won the match against Italy that day, but they were eliminated in later rounds of play.  Italy went on to play the United States and won.The final matchup, for the ultimate championship was Italy vs. Brazil. Brazil won but the Irish had the distinct pleasure of saying they had beaten the runner-up to the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the Bronx Irish celebrated as if they too had won.