1972: Ireland 2 France 1

Last updated : 06 October 2004 By Dave Mervyn
1974 World Cup qualifier: November 15, 1972, Dalymount Park, Dublin:


Republic of Ireland 2 (Conroy, Treacy)

France 1 (Larque)

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Think you're a die-hard Irish fan? Imagine if your national side had not won a home game for six years? Well, that was the lay of the land in Dublin circa 1972 as Liam Tuohy's Republic side welcomed France to Dublin - boasting one of the worst home records in European football.

Still, the Johnny Giles-skipper side battled as usual and produced one of the most unexpected results in their history.

Dubliner Terry Conroy struck in the first half - scoring in consecutive games in Group 9 - before Jean-Michel Larque equalised with a 66th minute volley.

Eoin Hand - the current FAI guidance counsellor - sent in a late cross for Ray Treacy - the current FAI travel manager - to stoop low and head past the dive of goalkeeper George Carnus and seal a famous win.

The campaign - just four games in those days - secured just one more point for the Irish, as they drew with France in the return tie in Paris. Tuohy's charges finished second to Russia (who defeated them 2-1 and 2-0) with France third and last.

A then 40-year-old Tuohy announced his retirement - but won his third of 10 games played, in Paris in May 1973. A superb display saw the Irish draw 1-1 in Paris, picking up the country's first World Cup point on foreign soil for 12 years.

Giles, who left Dublin at 15 to begin his fledgling career in English football, took over the managerial role from Tuohy in October 1973.

Ireland: Kelly, Kinnear, Mulligan, McConville, Holmes, Hand, Giles, Byrne, Conroy, Treacy, Givens. Subs: Campbell for Byrne (64 mins), O'Connor for Conroy (89).

France: Carnus, Broissart, Quittet, Tresor, Rostagni, Huck, Adams, Loubet, Revelli, Larque, Bereta. Sub: Molitor for Loubet (64).