Through the back door: The Republic of Ireland's play-off history

ONLY once in six play-off attempts have the Republic of Ireland won through, a 2-1 aggregate victory over Iran qualifying them for the 2002 World Cup finals. Before and since, though, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey and France have ended their hopes – with no shortage of controversy along the way.

The Play-offs

1966 World Cup

Rep of Ireland 0 Spain 1

IRELAND had been drawn in a qualifying group with Spain and Syria, but after the Syrians withdrew it was a straight battle with the then European champions. Goal difference, though, was not used to separate them after Ireland won 1-0 in Dalymount Park and lost 4-1 in Seville, so the teams had to meet again in a play-off.

Paris was the venue, the FAI controversially turning down the option of playing the game in London after the Spanish FA offered them the gate receipts if the game was staged in France. As a result, Spain had the bulk of the support in the stadium, but it took them 80 minutes to get their goal, through Jose Ufarte.

1996 European Championships

Republic of Ireland 0 Netherlands 2

After beating Northern Ireland on goal difference to the runners-up spot in the qualifying group, behind Portugal, the Dutch were the opponents in the play-off at Anfield.

In what proved to be Jack Charlton’s final match in charge, Ireland were weakened by the absence of the injured Roy Keane and Steve Staunton and the suspended Niall Quinn, with Andy Townsend limping out of the game soon after half-time. Patrick Kluivert proved to be the match winner, beating Alan Kelly on half an hour before sealing the win two minutes from time.

1998 World Cup

First leg: Rep of Ireland 1 Belgium 1

Second leg: Belgium 2 Rep of Ireland 1

(Belgium went through 3-2 on aggregate)

Another second-place finish in a qualifying group, this time 10 points adrift of Romania and one clear of Lithuania, put Ireland, managed for the first time in a campaign by Mick McCarthy, through to their first home and away play-off.

Denis Irwin’s free-kick gave them the lead against Belgium at Lansdowne Road but Luc Nilis equalised, the same player getting the winner in Brussels after Ray Houghton had cancelled out Luis Oliveira’s opener. David Connolly was sent off eight minutes from time to cap it all.

2000 European Championships

Rep of Ireland 1 Turkey 1

Turkey 0 Rep of Ireland 0

(Turkey won on away goals)

Goran Stavrevski’s equaliser for Macedonia with seconds to go in Skopje in the Republic’s final group game cost them automatic qualification, Yugoslavia finishing a point clear.

Just as costly, as it proved, was Tayfur Havutcu’s penalty for Turkey in the first leg of the play-off in Dublin, Lee Carsley adjudged to have handled the ball. Robbie Keane had broken the deadlock five minutes before, but the away goal turned out to be decisive after a 0-0 draw in Bursa, the game there ending in a brawl.

2002 World Cup

Republic of Ireland 2 Iran 0

Iran 1 Ireland 0

(Ireland won 2-1 on aggregate)

Finally, at the fifth attempt, Ireland came through the play-offs to qualify for a major tournament. Mick McCarthy’s team finished level on points with Portugal in their group (knocking the Netherlands out of the running), but an inferior goal difference denied them automatic qualification.

Crucially, this time, Ireland kept a clean sheet in Dublin, Ian Harte converting a penalty just before half-time after Jason McAteer was fouled, Robbie Keane getting the second shortly after the break.

Roy Keane missed the second leg in Tehran, played in front of 100,000, but Ireland’s defence held out until injury-time when Yahya Golmohammadi scored. They were through, though, setting sail for Japan and South Korea the following summer, beginning with a restful stopover in Saipan.

2010 World Cup

Republic of Ireland 0 France 1

France 1 Republic of Ireland 1

(France went through 2-1 on aggregate)

Finishing second behind Italy in their qualifying group earned Ireland a play-off against France. Again, they conceded a goal in the home leg, losing 1-0 at Croke Park after Nicola Anelka’s effort deflected off Seán St Ledger’s boot and past the stranded Shay Given with 18 minutes to go.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s team, though, produced a memorable performance in Paris, Robbie Keane levelling the tie when he turned home Damien Duff’s cross on 32 minutes. There were plenty of chances to make it 2-0, not least the one that fell to an unmarked John O’Shea, but it went in to extra-time. William Gallas headed home the winner after Thierry Henry . . . you know yourself.