Tommy Martin: Right place, right time - we loved Toto Schillaci for his part in our summer of a lifetime
Nothing became Italia ’90 like Ireland’s leaving of it and the affection that we came to hold for the man who ended the dream.
ONE MOMENT IN TIME: Salvatore Schillaci of Italy after the World Cup 1990 match between Italy and Niall Quinn's Ireland. Pic: Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images
“F*ck Schillaci” it said on the t-shirt worn by Colm Meaney in The Van, but we never really meant it.
Nothing became Italia ’90 like Ireland’s leaving of it and the affection that we came to hold for the man who ended the dream. Toto Schillaci’s death at the age of 59 is another chance to pull out the emotional scrapbook and relive that worn-out old summer of joy. Schillaci spinning away in celebration, Packie Bonner on his knees, that sinking feeling of bitter disappointment – oh, how we’d love to be back there again.
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