The idea seemed to be that they would go live from the quietest part of the pub they could find. In November 1987, RTE broadcast Scotland’s game against Bulgaria in what appeared to be the latest attempt to catalogue the triumph of hope over experience which was the life of the Irish football fan. If Scotland managed to defeat Bulgaria, Ireland would top their group and, for the first time, qualify for a major tournament. Few expected that to happen. Scotland had nothing to play for, although some would have noted that they attracted more misery the more that was…

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