The coolest head in the Giants’ cauldron

THE best performance by Denis Irwin that I witnessed live was the one he produced when Ireland beat Italy in the World Cup finals of 1994.

Paul McGrath was lionised after the game for his outstanding play at the heart of Ireland's defence and that was justified. In the second half of a momentous match, he was superb.

Yet Irwin was the best man on the pitch during the most critical period - the opening half-hour when both teams thrust forward urgently, teasing and testing the opposition.