Ireland, 1988-1996.

Basically Jack Charlton’s tenure as Ireland manager. Not the best football but the best results. 3 tournaments, performed relatively well in a couple of them. Had some great players like Packie Bonner, Paul McGrath, Ronnie Whelan, Day Houghton, John Aldridge, David O’Leary and a young Roy Keane.

I suppose you could extend it to 2002 to conicide with Keane’s prime and other good players like Duff, Robbie Keane and Given but they didn’t qualify for a tournament from 94-2002. Were still miles ahead of what they’ve been the last 10 years.

Taking that team to second wasn’t hard.

The fall-off is why I hate players getting nominated for the Ballon d’Or off the back of a great World Cup. Bounou finished 13th or something. A great World Cup should strengthen a players chances at winning it who were already going to be nominated I remember the 2002 World Cup, several Senaglese, Turkish, Japanese and South Korean players got nominated who didn’t amount to much that year outside of the World Cup.