A Chat with Alan McLoughlin
Credit:
Alan McLoughlin is best remembered for scoring the crucial goal that put the Republic of Ireland through to the 1994 World Cup Finals in the USA. The Republic needed at least a draw against Northern Ireland in a hostile Windsor Park in the final group game in November 1993. Jack Charlton’s charges looked to be heading out of the competition when Jimmy Quinn’s volley put the North ahead in the 78th minute. However Alan’s superb equaliser stunned Windsor Park into silence and sparked amazing scenes of wild celebrations all over Ireland. Alan went on to play 42 times for Ireland between 1990 and 1999.
How did it happen that you played for Ireland in the first place?
I was playing with Swindon Town in 1989 when Tony Galvin (previously a winger with Spurs and Ireland) casually mentioned that with a name like McLoughlin, I must have Irish connections! I told him that my Dad was from Galway and my Mum from Limerick and thought no more about it. Three weeks later, on the way out to play Middlesboro, Tony taps me on the shoulder, and tells me that Jack Charlton was there to check me out that night!
How did your Ireland career progress so quickly?
My first game was actually for the Ireland ‘B’ team that beat England ‘B’ in Turner’s Cross in Cork. Although I did manage to score in that game, I never dreamed that I had any chance of making the World Cup Squad in 1990. I had been called up for an international friendly but couldn’t make it, as Swindon Town were involved in a hugely important play-off final against Sunderland at Wembley (where Alan scored the winner)
You must have been thrilled to get the call to join the 1990 World Cup squad?
I honestly thought it was a wind-up when Maurice Setters rang me up to tell me to join the Irish squad in Malta for Ireland’s preparations for the 1990 World Cup in Italy! Maurice had to ring me back as I was convinced it was one of the Swindon players having a laugh! I played in the warm-up game in Malta and did quite well.
You made your competitive debut in the first game against England in 1990
Yeah I came on as a sub in the first game, the 1-1 draw played in Cagliari, Sardinia. I will always remember the exhilaration felt by everyone when Kevin Sheedy (Everton) scored that cracking equaliser, but for me there was something else I remember even more from that day- I was actually offside for Kevin’s goal! I’d gone in to follow up on Kevin’s strike, anticipating a rebound as usual, so I was so relieved to see the linesman keep his flag down!
Photo taken by Andy McDonnell
You will go down in History as the man who got Ireland to The World Cup Finals in 1994 with a late equaliser against Northern Ireland in Windsor Park, Belfast. I’ve never seen a game that was played in such a hostile atmosphere, especially as the game was played at the height of “The Troubles”.
The build-up to the game was very tense. I remember our squad going for a pre-match walk on a golf-course just outside Belfast. The amount of military security, pointing guns etc, was really scary. In fact the safest place for us to be that time was probably on the football pitch!
I remember the intimidating atmosphere in the ground and manager Billy Bingham inciting the crowd after they went 1-0 up. What do you remember about the game itself?
Things weren’t looking good when Jimmy Quinn scored a wonderful goal for Northern Ireland with a first time volley to the roof of the net. Then Jack put me on and said he wanted a goal! Denis Irwin’s free kick was cleared and fell nicely for me. I controlled it and hit it sweetly with my left foot into the bottom corner. I think I turned round to check that the linesman hadn’t disallowed it for offside!
That goal meant that thousands of Irish people would travel to the 1994 World Cup Finals in the USA and people like myself would meet my wife there in the process! I’m sure you’re always reminded about scoring that famous goal!
Yes most people tell me exactly where they were on the night I scored that goal. I’ve been told that thousands of supporters had their credit limit seriously increased to pay for the World Cup in America on the back of my goal! I’m thrilled to be remembered so fondly by so many Irish people.
Even now you seem so proud to have worn the green jersey!
I’ll always be eternally grateful for the chance to play for Ireland. I just feel privileged to have been involved, with so many excellent players, for almost 10 years (1990-1999). I was called up for every single Irish squad bar one, when I was injured. I consider myself very lucky as lots of other Irish players don’t get the recognition that they deserve.
Are you still involved in football nowadays?
Well I’ve spent the last six years as a co-commentator for Portsmouth FC on BBC Local Radio. I’ve been doing a lot of study to become a tutor and work with disadvantaged teenagers. Our two daughters, Megan (16) and Abby (20), are doing well at school and at college so I’ve decided to take up an offer from Portsmouth and will shortly start coaching the 17 and 18 year olds at the club’s Academy. I’m glad to back on the training ground as it’s only a few years ago since I had a hip replacement operation!
That’s amazing as you looked so fit at the game in Drogheda. You played the full game and looked very comfortable on the ball.
Yes I was delighted but I still have to be careful. I really enjoyed the weekend.
How did it happen that you played for Ireland in the first place?
I was playing with Swindon Town in 1989 when Tony Galvin (previously a winger with Spurs and Ireland) casually mentioned that with a name like McLoughlin, I must have Irish connections! I told him that my Dad was from Galway and my Mum from Limerick and thought no more about it. Three weeks later, on the way out to play Middlesboro, Tony taps me on the shoulder, and tells me that Jack Charlton was there to check me out that night!
How did your Ireland career progress so quickly?
My first game was actually for the Ireland ‘B’ team that beat England ‘B’ in Turner’s Cross in Cork. Although I did manage to score in that game, I never dreamed that I had any chance of making the World Cup Squad in 1990. I had been called up for an international friendly but couldn’t make it, as Swindon Town were involved in a hugely important play-off final against Sunderland at Wembley (where Alan scored the winner)
You must have been thrilled to get the call to join the 1990 World Cup squad?
I honestly thought it was a wind-up when Maurice Setters rang me up to tell me to join the Irish squad in Malta for Ireland’s preparations for the 1990 World Cup in Italy! Maurice had to ring me back as I was convinced it was one of the Swindon players having a laugh! I played in the warm-up game in Malta and did quite well.
You made your competitive debut in the first game against England in 1990
Yeah I came on as a sub in the first game, the 1-1 draw played in Cagliari, Sardinia. I will always remember the exhilaration felt by everyone when Kevin Sheedy (Everton) scored that cracking equaliser, but for me there was something else I remember even more from that day- I was actually offside for Kevin’s goal! I’d gone in to follow up on Kevin’s strike, anticipating a rebound as usual, so I was so relieved to see the linesman keep his flag down!
Photo taken by Andy McDonnell
You will go down in History as the man who got Ireland to The World Cup Finals in 1994 with a late equaliser against Northern Ireland in Windsor Park, Belfast. I’ve never seen a game that was played in such a hostile atmosphere, especially as the game was played at the height of “The Troubles”.
The build-up to the game was very tense. I remember our squad going for a pre-match walk on a golf-course just outside Belfast. The amount of military security, pointing guns etc, was really scary. In fact the safest place for us to be that time was probably on the football pitch!
I remember the intimidating atmosphere in the ground and manager Billy Bingham inciting the crowd after they went 1-0 up. What do you remember about the game itself?
Things weren’t looking good when Jimmy Quinn scored a wonderful goal for Northern Ireland with a first time volley to the roof of the net. Then Jack put me on and said he wanted a goal! Denis Irwin’s free kick was cleared and fell nicely for me. I controlled it and hit it sweetly with my left foot into the bottom corner. I think I turned round to check that the linesman hadn’t disallowed it for offside!
That goal meant that thousands of Irish people would travel to the 1994 World Cup Finals in the USA and people like myself would meet my wife there in the process! I’m sure you’re always reminded about scoring that famous goal!
Yes most people tell me exactly where they were on the night I scored that goal. I’ve been told that thousands of supporters had their credit limit seriously increased to pay for the World Cup in America on the back of my goal! I’m thrilled to be remembered so fondly by so many Irish people.
Even now you seem so proud to have worn the green jersey!
I’ll always be eternally grateful for the chance to play for Ireland. I just feel privileged to have been involved, with so many excellent players, for almost 10 years (1990-1999). I was called up for every single Irish squad bar one, when I was injured. I consider myself very lucky as lots of other Irish players don’t get the recognition that they deserve.
Are you still involved in football nowadays?
Well I’ve spent the last six years as a co-commentator for Portsmouth FC on BBC Local Radio. I’ve been doing a lot of study to become a tutor and work with disadvantaged teenagers. Our two daughters, Megan (16) and Abby (20), are doing well at school and at college so I’ve decided to take up an offer from Portsmouth and will shortly start coaching the 17 and 18 year olds at the club’s Academy. I’m glad to back on the training ground as it’s only a few years ago since I had a hip replacement operation!
That’s amazing as you looked so fit at the game in Drogheda. You played the full game and looked very comfortable on the ball.
Yes I was delighted but I still have to be careful. I really enjoyed the weekend.
About Paul Holland
Paul Holland has been the Half-Time Co-ordinator at Drogheda United for the past five years and has produced two DVDs for the club in 2006 and 2007. Paul is also the Meath & Leinster Co-ordinator … View Full Profile