Shamrock Rovers XI vs Brazil
Encyclopedia
An association football friendly match was played in Lansdowne Road
in Dublin in July 1973 between Brazil
and a team billed as Shamrock Rovers XI, made up of international players from both the Republic of Ireland
and Northern Ireland
. Brazil won the match 4-3.
in Northern Ireland, and was intended as a gesture of friendship and solidarity. Louis Kilcoyne persuaded João Havelange
of the Brazilian FA
to include a match against an "Ireland XI" on the itinerary for their 9-match summer tour of Europe
, reportedly promising him the FAI
's vote in the 1974 election for President of FIFA.
Johnny Giles
captain of the Republic team
and Derek Dougan
of Northern Ireland
were friendly with each other, supported the project, and persuaded many of their respective teammates to participate.
The IFA
was opposed to the match, seeing it as setting a precedent which might encourage moves for the IFA to merge with the FAI. Further, the Republic of Ireland manager, Liam Tuohy, who also managed this team, subsequently disclosed that the FAI also had reservations. In deference to these concerns, the "Ireland XI" had to be called a Shamrock Rovers selection, after the leading League of Ireland
club connected to the Kilcoyne family. (In actuality, all the team played in the English League
.) Also, only the Brazilian national anthem
and flag
were displayed, although A Nation Once Again
was among the tunes in the pre-match entertainment.
Derek Dougan, always a controversial character, alleged that IFA President Harry Cavan instructed Northern Ireland manager Terry Neill
not to pick him in future because of his involvement in organising this match, thereby ending his international career. However this overlooks the fact that Dougan had not appeared in any of Northern Ireland's five matches prior to the game in Dublin, had failed to score in any of the last 10 international games in which he had played and in any case, at 35 he was clearly in the twilight of his career. Indeed, he was to retire from playing full time football less than two seasons later.
Dougan's claim also overlooks the fact that none of the five other Northern Ireland players who featured suffered any adverse consequences for their international career; indeed three of them (Jennings, Hamilton and O'Neill) were subsequently to captain Northern Ireland, with Hamilton also going on to be appointed manager.
Proceeds from the match went to UNICEF and the Irish Cancer Society.
The fixture was featured on Irish
soccer show Monday Night Soccer
on April 7th 2008.
Lansdowne Road
Lansdowne Road was a stadium in Dublin owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union that has been the location of a number of sports stadiums. It was used primarily for rugby union and for association football matches as well as some music concerts...
in Dublin in July 1973 between Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
and a team billed as Shamrock Rovers XI, made up of international players from both the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. Brazil won the match 4-3.
Background
The match was played at the height of The TroublesThe Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
in Northern Ireland, and was intended as a gesture of friendship and solidarity. Louis Kilcoyne persuaded João Havelange
João Havelange
Jean-Marie Faustin Goedefroid de Havelange , more commonly known as João Havelange , was the 7th President of FIFA, serving from 1974 to 1998. He received the title of Honorary President when leaving office. He succeeded Sir Stanley Rous and was succeeded by Joseph Blatter...
of the Brazilian FA
Brazilian Football Confederation
The Brazilian Football Confederation is the governing body of football in Brazil. It was founded on June 8, 1914, as Confederação Brasileira de Desportos , meaning Brazilian Sports Confederation. Its first president was Álvaro Zamith. It organizes the Brazilian national competitions, like...
to include a match against an "Ireland XI" on the itinerary for their 9-match summer tour of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, reportedly promising him the FAI
Football Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
's vote in the 1974 election for President of FIFA.
Johnny Giles
Johnny Giles
Michael John "Johnny" Giles is a former association footballer and manager best remembered for his time as a midfielder with Leeds United in the 1960s and 1970s...
captain of the Republic team
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
and Derek Dougan
Derek Dougan
Alexander Derek Dougan was a former Northern Ireland international footballer who played for Wolverhampton Wanderers....
of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
were friendly with each other, supported the project, and persuaded many of their respective teammates to participate.
The IFA
Irish Football Association
The Irish Football Association is the organising body for association football in Northern Ireland, and was historically the governing body for Ireland...
was opposed to the match, seeing it as setting a precedent which might encourage moves for the IFA to merge with the FAI. Further, the Republic of Ireland manager, Liam Tuohy, who also managed this team, subsequently disclosed that the FAI also had reservations. In deference to these concerns, the "Ireland XI" had to be called a Shamrock Rovers selection, after the leading League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
club connected to the Kilcoyne family. (In actuality, all the team played in the English League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
.) Also, only the Brazilian national anthem
Brazilian national anthem
The Brazilian national anthem was composed by Francisco Manuel da Silva in 1831 and had been given at least two sets of unofficial lyrics before a 1922 decree by President Epitácio Pessoa gave the anthem its definitive, official lyrics, by Osório Duque-Estrada, after several changes were made to...
and flag
Flag of Brazil
The national flag of Brazil is a blue disc depicting a starry sky spanned by a curved band inscribed with the national motto, within a yellow rhombus, on a green field. Brazil officially adopted this design for its national flag on November 19, 1889, replacing the flag of the second Empire of Brazil...
were displayed, although A Nation Once Again
A Nation Once Again
"A Nation Once Again" is a song, written in the early to mid-1840s by Thomas Osborne Davis . Davis was a founder of an Irish movement whose aim was the independence of Ireland....
was among the tunes in the pre-match entertainment.
Derek Dougan, always a controversial character, alleged that IFA President Harry Cavan instructed Northern Ireland manager Terry Neill
Terry Neill
William John Terence "Terry" Neill is a Northern Ireland former football player and manager.-Playing career:Born in Belfast, Neill played as a youth for Bangor, before moving in December 1959 to Arsenal. He spent a year in Arsenal's youth side, before making his debut against Sheffield Wednesday...
not to pick him in future because of his involvement in organising this match, thereby ending his international career. However this overlooks the fact that Dougan had not appeared in any of Northern Ireland's five matches prior to the game in Dublin, had failed to score in any of the last 10 international games in which he had played and in any case, at 35 he was clearly in the twilight of his career. Indeed, he was to retire from playing full time football less than two seasons later.
Dougan's claim also overlooks the fact that none of the five other Northern Ireland players who featured suffered any adverse consequences for their international career; indeed three of them (Jennings, Hamilton and O'Neill) were subsequently to captain Northern Ireland, with Hamilton also going on to be appointed manager.
Proceeds from the match went to UNICEF and the Irish Cancer Society.
The fixture was featured on Irish
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
soccer show Monday Night Soccer
Monday Night Soccer
Monday Night Soccer is the RTÉ's main football television programme. It is shown on RTÉ Two on Monday evenings during the Irish football season, showing highlights of the day's matches in Irish football's top division, the League of Ireland Premier Division...
on April 7th 2008.
Shamrock Rovers XI
- GoalkeeperGoalkeeper (football)In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
: Frank Byrne (NI) - DefenderDefender (football)Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
s: David CraigDavid Craig (footballer)David Craig is a Northern Irish retired football player. His position was right-back.David Craig was a great footballer who played as a defender for Newcastle and Northern Ireland...
(NI), Paul Redmond (RoI), Allan Hunter (NI), Tommy Carroll (RoI) - MidfielderMidfielderA midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
s: Johnny GilesJohnny GilesMichael John "Johnny" Giles is a former association footballer and manager best remembered for his time as a midfielder with Leeds United in the 1960s and 1970s...
(RoI), Paddy FaganPaddy FaganFionan "Paddy" Fagan was an Irish footballer who played as a winger.The son of Irish international and Shamrock Rovers outside-left John Fagan, Fionan Fagan started his career with Shamrock Rovers schoolboys and then Transport F.C., before signing for English Second Division club Hull City after...
(RoI; 1 goal), Brian Redmond (NI), Terry ConroyTerry ConroyTerry Conroy is a former professional footballer, who spent most of his career with Stoke City.-Stoke City:He joined the Potters from the Irish club, Glentoran for £10,000 in March 1967. He went on to make 333 Cup and League appearances for Stoke, scoring 66 goals...
(RoI; 1 goal) - StrikerStrikerForwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
s: Paul Featherstone (NI; 1 goal), Don GivensDon GivensDaniel Joseph "Don" Givens is a football player and coach, and former Republic of Ireland U21 team manager...
(RoI). - SubstituteSubstitute (football)In association football, a substitute is a player who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired or injured, or who is not performing well; there may also be tactical reasons such as...
s: Liam O'KaneLiam O'KaneWilliam O'Kane is a former Northern Irish footballer.O'Kane played as a defender and began his career with Derry City FC. He signed for Nottingham Forest in November 1968 and made his debut on 25 January 1969 against Norwich City F.C...
(NI) and Bryan HamiltonBryan HamiltonBryan Hamilton is a Northern Irish former professional football player and manager. He gained 50 caps for Northern Ireland between 1969 and 1980, and later managed the national team for four years. He is currently Technical Director at Antigua Barracuda F.C.-Playing career:Born in Belfast,...
(NI) for Carroll and Givens (66 mins); Miah DennehyMiah DennehyJeremiah Dennehy , commonly referred to as Miah Dennehy, is a former Irish footballer who played for, among others, Cork Hibernians, Nottingham Forest, Walsall F.C., and Bristol Rovers. In 1972 he became the first ever player to score a hat-trick in an FAI Cup final...
(RoI) for Conroy (88 mins). - Manager: Liam TuohyLiam Tuohy (footballer)Liam Tuohy is a former Irish footballer and manager. During the 1950s and 1960s. Tuohy played as an outside left for Shamrock Rovers, Newcastle United, and the Republic of Ireland. In 1959 while playing for Ireland, Tuohy scored the first ever goal in the history of the European Championship...
(RoI)
Brazil
- Goalkeeper: Émerson LeãoÉmerson LeãoÉmerson Leão is a Brazilian manager and former football player. He is one of the all-time best Brazilian goalkeepers. A documentary video produced by FIFA, FIFA Fever, called him the third-most impressive defense player of all time. He was born in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo.-Playing career:He was...
- Defenders: Zé MariaJosé Maria Rodrigues AlvesJosé Maria Rodrigues Alves, better known as Zé Maria, is a former association footballer.During his career he played for Ferroviário Botucatu, Portuguesa, Corinthians and Internacional de Limeira as a right back...
, Luis PereiraLuis PereiraLuís Edmundo Pereira, was an association footballer. He played centre-back, in particular with S.E. Palmeiras, Atlético Madrid and the Brazilian national team...
, PiazzaWilson da Silva PiazzaWilson da Silva Piazza , surnamed Piazza, , is a former Brazilian footballer. He played as defensive midfielder and centre-back, in particular with Cruzeiro E.C. and the Brazilian national team...
, Marco AntônioMarco AntônioMarco Antônio, real name Marco Antônio Feliciano, was an association footballer. He played left-back with Fluminense Football Club and the Brazilian national team... - Midfielders: Paulo César LimaPaulo César LimaPaulo César Lima , commonly known as Caju, is a former football player from Brazil. He played as a midfielder or forward for many teams in Brazil and also played one year for Olympique de Marseille, a Ligue 1 team in France.-Career:Caju was most widely known as a member of the Brazilian national...
(2 goals; also had a penalty saved), ClodoaldoClodoaldoClodoaldo Tavares de Santana, better known as Clodoaldo is a former Brazilian footballer who played as a defensive midfielder....
, RivelinoRivelinoRoberto Rivellino is a former Brazilian footballer.The son of Italian immigrants from Macchiagodena , he was famous for his large moustache, thunderous long-range free kicks, excellent long passes, quick thinking and distinct way of controlling the ball...
, DirceuDirceuDirceu José Guimarães, known as Dirceu , was a football player from Brazil. He played as an attacking midfielder with many teams, in particular Botafogo and the Brazilian national team. He died at only 43 years old in a road accident. He played 84 games and scored 18 goals for Atlético Madrid... - Strikers: JairzinhoJairzinhoJair Ventura Filho, better known as Jairzinho , is a former association footballer. A quick, powerful forward or winger, he was a member of the legendary Brazilian national team that won the 1970 FIFA World Cup, during which he scored in every game Brazil played...
(1 goal), ValdomiroValdomiro Vaz FrancoValdomiro Vaz Franco, better known as Valdomiro , is a former Brazilian footballer who played as a striker.He played 17 matches For the Brazilian team between 1973 and 1977, and scored 5 goals...
(1 goal) - Manager: Mario ZagalloMário ZagalloMário Jorge Lobo Zagallo is a Brazilian former football player and manager.-Biography:Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo was born in Maceió, Alagoas, to a family of Lebanese and Italian heritage....
External links
- Brazil bring out united front from The Irish TimesThe Irish TimesThe Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
, 14 February 2004 - Brazil's return to Dublin's flair city conjures up memories from Scotland on SundayScotland on SundayScotland on Sunday is a Scottish Sunday newspaper, published in Edinburgh by The Scotsman Publications Ltd and consequently assuming the role of Sunday sister to its daily stablemate The Scotsman...
, 15 February 2004