Tells the definitive story of Ireland’s infamous 1982 World Cup qualification campaign, while painting a vivid picture of 1980s Ireland through the eyes of a young football fan.

By Irish Daily Star writer Paul Little, author of the widely acclaimed In the Shadow of Benbulben: Dixie Dean at Sligo Rovers.

Primarily written in the present tense to give a ‘real-time’ feel to events, this riveting book:

• Draws on meticulous research of Irish newspapers and TV to bring to life all eight of the Republic of Ireland’s 1982 World Cup qualifying matches
• Discusses how Eoin Hand took over from John Giles as Ireland manager after the first qualifier in Cyprus
• Covers the build-up to games in detail, from the squad announcements to the starting 11 on the day, including the pre- and post-match thoughts of many of those involved
• Describes matches in the present tense to convey a sense of immediacy
• Features the author’s childhood memories of life in Dublin in the early 1980s – the games children played, home life and what was on TV – with Irish and world news providing a backdrop to the qualifying campaign
• Finishes with a ‘what if’ chapter considering what might have happened had Ireland qualified for the 1982 World Cup, including the thoughts of Eoin Hand himself

Perfect for all nostalgia-lovers and fans of Irish football, this book transports you back to a depressed 1980s Ireland and a troubled world where football dreams offered a thrilling escape.