Documentary on One will broadcast a 40-minute feature on Saturday on the never-to-be-forgotten story of the Republic of Ireland’s involvement at Italia ’90.
"Documentary on One: Put ‘Em Under Pressure" airs this Saturday 6 June on RTÉ Radio 1, 2pm.
“Put ‘em under pressure” was the phrase that was coined by Jack Charlton to exemplify the pressing football style of his team.
They set out firstly on the qualification group, which saw wins over both Spain and Northern Ireland, and finally Malta which would put Ireland through to the finals.
The documentary, presented and complied by RTÉ sports presenter John Kenny, begins with the opening qualifying game at Windsor Park in Belfast through to the quarter-final in Rome, and the massive homecoming celebrations where half a million people lined the streets of Dublin.
In the documentary, RTÉ sports commentator George Hamilton explains just why he uttered those famous lines, "the nation holds its breath".
We also hear from former international Niall Quinn and archived material containing the voices of Charlton, Eamonn Dunphy, David O'Leary, Mick McCarthy, Kevin Sheedy and the luckless Gary Waddock, who was dropped from the Italia ‘90 squad at the airport.
There are stories of rows about insufficient payments to players, Eamonn Dunphy's famous pen-throwing incident, the visit of the squad to the Vatican to meet the pope and of Bernie Slaven speaking one night to his dog down the phone.
As a preview, listen below to an extended interview with Niall Quinn by John Kenny as he explains how Italia '90 shaped his career, while looking back on the moments the nation savoured.
Tune-in on Saturday on Radio 1 from 2pm.
