Some of those matches have provided us with memories which we will take with us to the grave. Who could forget Ray Houghton's goal against England which not only kept us alive in the competition but was also looked on by the fans almost as a blow for Irish freedom? Who does not feel a warm glow when they recall those heady days and nights of Italia 90 when we almost confounded the opposition and the experts and made it to the last eight in the World Cup? Who does not recall the shiver in the spine when David O'Leary stepped up to the penalty spot in that all-important shoot-out against Romania, or the magical moment when Packie Bonner brought off his wonderful save to deliver us into the quarter finals?