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Published 08:42 27 Feb 2015 GMT
Updated 16:49 27 Feb 2015 GMT
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Quite simply, the Croke Park game. The build-up and the anthems will never be repeated but the performance of the team was pretty damn special too. Ireland destroyed England 43-13 and a generation of players really came of age.
7. Ireland v England, Italia '90
Looking back, these were two superbly talented teams who managed to play out a fairly dull, yet instantly memorable game. Gary Lineker's eight-minute goal not only gave England the lead, it was also the first outing for George Hamilton's phrase 'danger here', reason enough itself for iconic status.
Kevin Sheedy's drilled finish meant the sides drew, probably a fair reflection of the game but the result was treated like a win here as the entire country, bar a certain pundit, had a chronic case of World Cup fever.
8. Dennis Taylor v Steve Davis, World Snooker final 1985
Okay, this game was never framed as Ireland v England but if you happened to be alive and in possession of a TV the night this game was played, everyone was on the Irishman's side. The methodical, unbeatable Davis finally cracked to the goofily bespectacled Tyrone native in the most thrilling finish in snooker history.
We've never tried to pot a black ball since without thinking of this match.
9. Ireland v England, Six Nations, 2004
Beating the reigning world champions, in Twickenham, was the carrot dangled in front of Ireland and the 25-point underdogs snapped it in two. A masterclass in kicking by Ronan O'Gara was the bedrock to success and a second-half try by Girvan Dempsey did the business for us: 19-13.
England hadn't lost at home for seven years and the fact the game made England's Steve Thompson refer to it as "one of the worst days of my life" tells you all you need to know about how shocking the win was.
10. Mill House v Arkle, 1964 Cheltenham Gold Cup
Arguably the race that spawned the Irish love of Cheltenham. Arkle lost to Mill House in 1963 at Newbury but revenge was brewing. Arkle clinched glory for Ireland by beating the champion Mill House in the 1964 Gold Cup. Tom Dreaper's charge would win the next two Gold Cups in frankly ridiculous fashion but the tradition of Irish raiders started with the great Arkle.
11. England v Ireland, Goodison Park, 1949
Never mind Stuttgart or Cagliari, or even the wonderful Hungarian team of the 1950s, this game really was important for both sides. Ireland became the first foreign team to beat England at home and they did so in style, thanks to a Con Martin penalty and a Peter Farrell second near the end of the game.
Later victories would bring more coverage, and joy, but this team's place in history should be cherished more, here and in England.
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