Billy’s boys still cast long shadow

Ryan McKane was only 10 at the time but can still remember his parents having an angry discussion over what should happen next.

He’d only ever been to one soccer match — a friendly when Tottenham Hotspur came over to play Derry City in the Brandywell — but this was a step up his mother wasn’t so sure about. Word was already out about what awaited the Republic of Ireland and their fans when they pitched up at Windsor Park but, in the end, a compromise was reached. He could go with his father, but couldn’t wear his green jersey with Aldridge written across the back and under no circumstances could he celebrate any away goals.

For John O’Connor, such advice had already made its way across a cold and choppy sea. Studying in Glasgow’s Caledonian University, he discovered late there was nowhere he could tune in so instead he headed for the port of Stranraer, but made sure his clothes were as dour as the daytime sky. No green, no white, no trouble. He didn’t even have a ticket when he landed but got what he thought was lucky thanks to some Republic fans he bumped into in the Crown Bar on Great Victoria Street.