2002/03 Republic of Ireland Training Shirt (S)

Condition: 8/10 Excellent. The motif has faded inside the collar and on the sleeve

Size: Adult Small

Chest Measurement: 33-35 Inches / 84-87 CM

Manufacturer: Umbro

Colour: Navy, white & green trim

Material: Polyester

Seasons: 2002/2003

Player: N/A

Patches: N/A

Official Umbro Republic of Ireland football training shirt from the 2002/03 international season.

The condition of this original football jersey is 8/10 - Excellent. The motif has faded inside the collar and on the sleeve (see photos).

Ireland took on both Portugal and the Netherlands in 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 2 and ended the group in second place with 24 points from ten matches; seven victories and three draws. Despite this unbeaten run, Ireland were drawn in a play-off with Iran. The match in Dublin finished in a 2–0 victory to Ireland with goals from Ian Harte (penalty) and Robbie Keane, while the match in Tehran, played in front of 100,000 spectators, finished in a 1–0 for Iran, not enough to send them through. 

So McCarthy did manage to lead Ireland to the 2002 FIFA World Cup (Korea/Japan '02), only for the team to lose inspirational captain Roy Keane due to the pair's infamous public spat in Saipan. 1–1 draws with Cameroon and Germany were followed by a 3–0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Group E. The Irish once again progressed to the knockout stage, only losing narrowly 3–2 on penalties to Spain in Suwon after Robbie Keane's last minute equalising penalty kick forced the game into extra-time.