World Cup Action

Ghana 2-1 Ireland

Ghana surged into the lead in the Darul Aman Stadium when Gambo Bashiru fired them ahead on the half-hour mark. The celebrations were slightly excitable. Ireland persevered and drew back on level terms thanks to Trevor Molloy, with a strike six minutes into the second half - Molloy another man rather pleased with himself. But midway through the second half, ghana grabbed the winner via Mouktar Mohamed-Kamil.

Ireland 2-1 USA

After their loss to Ghana, a win was now required against the United States, and what a start for the Boys in Green. Goals on 6 and 25 from Michael Cummins and Trevor Molloy gave Ireland a two-goal advantage. A double blow was handed out to the Europeans with six minutes remaining in the first half when Jorge Flores scored a controversial goal, with Irish captain Thomas Morgan going into the book for remonstrating with the referee. But Ireland did enough to hang on to earn their first ever world Cup Finals win.

Ireland 1-1 China

Going into this game, a draw would be enough for Ireland to qualify for the second round of the World Cup for the first time, and that's what they got. It wasn't easy, though. Particularly as Wang Peng shot China into a vital 12th minute lead, with Michael Cummins striking that oh-so-important equaliser ten minutes later. There was one casualty from this fixture, goalkeeper Derek O'Connor received his second yellow card in the 90th minute for time-wasting. It gave China a late lifeline, but they weren't able to make anything out of it. Ireland through to the second round, but without their first choice keeper.