One of the highlights of that tournament.
It’s hard to believe that Ireland’s memorable World Cup journey in Japan & South Korea took place almost 15 years ago.
There was no shortage of talking points in that tournament with a certain man from Cork causing most of the headlines.
However, there were great memories from the action which took place on the pitch. Mattie Holland’s long-range goal against Cameroon, Robbie Keane’s last gasp equaliser against the Germans and of course dismantling Saudi Arabia with a 3-0 victory in Yokohama.
That game will always be remembered for Damien Duff’s goal celebration.
Duff scored Ireland’s third goal in the 87th minute which secured the win and Ireland’s progression to the knockout stages.
Duff was speaking on Eamon Dunphy’s podcast, The Stand, where he admitted he put a lot of thought into what type of celebration he would perform if he happened to score a goal.
“…Robbie was obviously banging them in. He had cartwheels and bows and arrows. I can remember brushing my teeth and thinking, ‘If you score tonight, what would you do?’
“It was only because all the Japanese and Koreans were always bowing at you. They were just so respectful, which I couldn’t understand. It was just a little gesture back to them.”
The thought process behind goal celebrations was likely to be something which would always have been on Duff’s mind.
He revealed how only scoring eight goals for his country was always something that has bothered him, even when he reflects on his glittering career.
“I was obviously desperate to score in a World Cup. It grates with me now that I didn’t score many goals for Ireland.”
We can’t imagine Irish fans will be too bothered about the lack of goals from Duff at international level.
The Dubliner provided countless memories for the Boys in Green, if it was mazy dribbles, glorious assists or in some cases, scoring some crucial goals for his country.
