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WORLD CUP FEATURE: ITALIA ’90:Twenty years ago this week the Republic of Ireland, in their first World Cup appearance, bowed out to the hosts in the quarter-final. RICHARD FITZPATRICKlooks back on the football – and on an epic national adventure

LUCIANO PAVAROTTI, who later became synonymous with the tournament, sang at the draw for the finals of the 1990 World Cup. For the critics, there wasn’t much to crow about with the composition of Group F: Jack Charlton’s Irish team had been drawn against England and Holland, two teams from its group in the 1988 European Championships finals. Egypt, who were appearing in their first finals since 1934, made up the quorum. No Brazil. No host nation. The Italian press quickly dubbed it the “Group of Sleep”.