A historic Celtic Clash - Republic of Ireland v Wales in 2007

The Republic of Ireland will face Wales on Tuesday evening in a vital UEFA Nations League clash at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Down the years our near neighbours from across the water are well versed in playing in Dublin's sporting venues be it the Aviva, Lansdowne Road or even Dalymount Park for that matter,. 

However, nothing will ever match the sense of occasion in an Ireland v Wales clash than the EURO 2008 qualifier at Croke Park. Being used for the first time as an international football venue, the GAA had opened up ‘Croker’ for the FAI and the IRFU during the redevelopment of the stadium on Lansdowne Road. 

Prior to the Republic of Ireland’s brief tenancy at the home of the GAA, there was a ban on ‘foreign games’ being played on GAA soil throughout the country.

It was a measure that was adopted early on by the GAA to try and preserve the national game but the GAA eventually granted both football and rugby permission to use their hallowed turf during the construction of the Aviva Stadium. 

That permission was met with plenty of anger from hard-liners who believed that this was a major insult to the efforts of those gone before them. The tense and often fractious negotiations resulted in many failed attempts before the eventual rule change, known as Rule 42. 

The Irish side that was picked at that time to line out on Jones’ Road were international stalwarts and in some cases legends for the Boys in Green. 

Shay Given marshalled the defence, with Steve Finnan, a one-time Champions League winner and John O’Shea, another Champions League winner, holding the defence the together alongside cult-hero Richard Dunne. 

Lee Carsley picked up on many a loose ball bouncing around the park while the young, and prodigious, at the time, Stephen Ireland, then of Premier League side Manchester City was the creative force ticking an often slow and sloppy Ireland over. 

Legendary figures Damien Duff and Robbie Keane spearheaded the attack with Kevin Kilbane also endearing himself to the loyal and fervent Irish support with his tireless work rate and ethic. 

A distinctly average Dragons who were managed by the former Real Madrid manager John Toshack succumbed to defeat against an even-more-so average Republic of Ireland.



Under Steve Staunton Ireland started their Group D campaign with a respectable defeat to Germany before the calamity of a 5-2 defeat in Nicosia. 

Stephen Ireland scored the only goal of the game as he rounded Daniel Coyne to grab the much-needed three points for Staunton’s struggling side who never really built on their opening 3-0 friendly win over Sweden in 2006. 

Kevin Doyle impressed but it was a far from ideal showing from the Green Army who produced a pretty poor game of football.

Staunton only lasted a couple of months longer after he was relieved of his duties following the uninspiring 1-1 home draw with Cyprus at the same venue, as the versatile Steve Finnan scored late on to spare Irish blushes on a poor night at the office for the Republic of Ireland. 

Despite the dour and albeit disappointing nature of the first football clash in Croker, it was a major occasion both for Irish football and the GAA. It was an occasion to be proud of, wherever your affinity may lay. 

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