Czechoslovakia 1-2 Republic of Ireland
Date Played – 22nd November 1967
The Republic of Ireland found them short of their Manchester United duo, Tony Dunne and Shay Brennan. Roy Treacy the young West Brom player was called up as well as Turloc O’Connor, a Fulham reserve striker. The Irish fielded four football league first division, four second division, one third division and two reserve players, lined up against a strong fully strengthened Czechoslovakia side and the match was goalless at half time. Fifteen minutes in to the second half, the Irish were playing well, however Dempsey scored an own goal against the run of play to make it 1-0 to the Czech’s. With 25 minutes remaining, the Irish broke away and Tracey headed home a Dunphy cross to level the scores. Ten minutes later the Czechs found themselves down to ten men when Szikora was stretchered off. Four minutes later, Treacy ran past the Czech players and passed to O’Conner to make it 2-1 to the Irish. The Irish win was greeted with astonishment through out Europe.