let no one sleep

Ireland, a nation who had never previously qualified for the world cup, came alive in June of 1990. A nervous start resulting in 3 draws took us through to the second round of the competition. Our luck continued when we then beat Romania on penalties 5-4. Sheedy, Houghton, Townsend, Cascariono and O'Leary scored and then Packie Bonner saved from Timofte to put us through to the quarter finals. A moment branded into the memory of those who witnessed it.

The tournament ended for us when we lost to a goal from Salvatore Schillaci and Italy in the quarter final. Schillaci would go on to win the best player and golden boot award but our luck had run out.

The ups and downs were experienced to the backdrop of the Nessun Dorma, the song of that summer. Pavarotti brought it alive and even though none of us knew of Turandot or Calàf, we all connected with the song.

No one will know his name and we must, alas, die.

So the chorus sings as the night begins to die, a fitting paradox for that great Italian singer who died today, aged 71.


For more information ...
pavarotti
italia '90
nessun dorma
maria callas