Remembering Ireland’s day of orange disorder in Skopje 23 years on

April 2, 1997 saw Ireland suffer a shock 3-2 World Cup qualifying defeat in Macedonia which has taken its place in Irish football's all-time hall of infamy.

RED ALERT: Ireland’s Jason McAteer was sent off following this challenge on Macedonia’s Artim Sakiri during the World Cup qualifier in Skopje in 1997. Picture: James Meehan/INPHO

RED ALERT: Ireland’s Jason McAteer was sent off following this challenge on Macedonia’s Artim Sakiri during the World Cup qualifier in Skopje in 1997. Picture: James Meehan/INPHO

It was on this day, 23 years ago, that Irish football “had a Macedonia”, giving birth to the ‘worst trainer’ bib that, for a long time in the international camp, would act as an embarrassing reminder of where hubris can take you.