THE identity of Ireland soccer teams was brought into focus by the British media after England failed to qualify for the World Cup in 1994, according to Alan McLoughlin.
Speaking to The Irish Post ahead of the publication of his new book A Different Shade of Green — in which the 42 capped former Ireland international offers a unique insight into the mindset of the second generation Irish players that backboned Jack Charlton’s squad — McLoughlin said: “It [the question of identity] was only raised with the English media when England didn’t make the ’94 World Cup. It was a slap in the face [for them] and we were a team that was punching above its weight.”
Twenty-one years on from his famous goal which qualified Ireland to USA ’94, the question of identity remains a talking point for Ireland teams.
The issue made headlines recently when West Ham’s Mark Noble declared an interest in playing for Ireland, having failed to be called up for England. That has been followed by a tug-of-war over Aston Villa teenager Jack Grealish whose international future has yet to be copper-fastened.
While in an exclusive interview with The Irish Post, FAI Chief Executive John Delaney said he would not allow Ireland to become a fallback option for players who failed to make the grade with England. McLoughin said a key component to Ireland’s success through the Charlton years was that players “bought into” playing for the Republic.
“As long as we bought into it,” he said. “That was the most important thing. I’d the chance to play for England B and Ireland B, on the same day and it was no choice for me. England had two teams and the Ireland squad was squeezed. It was an easy choice for me.”
Growing up to Irish parents in Manchester, McLoughlin recounts the strong sense of Irish identity within his community.
Asked if the experience of that group of second-generation players could be repeated today, he said: “It’s impossible for me to say. We used to go to Irish clubs. Now there are things like Facebook.”
Reflecting on the goal that qualified Ireland to the World Cup in 1994 he said: “It did change my life, in the sense that we are still talking about it now.
“Some players played more games than me and probably contributed more, but I get a call every year to talk about the goal, and in that campaign I didn’t really feature at all.
“It has allowed me notoriety and put me up there with other goals like Dave O’Leary, Ray Houghton and Jason McAteer.”
