Considering the form of the Ireland team over the last few years, it is not difficult to understand why many supporters are reminiscing on the days when our national team could compete at the highest level.
It may have been the best part of 30 years ago, but that period is still remembered fondly by those who were around for it.
Jackie's Army, a documentary featuring players from that Jack Chartlon era, certainly reminded many of what those times were all about.
That includes Mick McCarthy, who recalled a brilliant story from a game against Northern Ireland in Belfast.
"They were giving him YARS! They were giving him dog's abuse."
Mick McCarthy's story of how Jack Charlton handled a hostile crowd in Belfast 🤣#JackiesArmy tonight at 11.15pm on Virgin Media One. pic.twitter.com/zKWKZfLb7t— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 28, 2021
What made him special, certainly in Ireland, was that he was a success and qualified for competitions. What made him qualify for competitions was his personality I think, his knowledge of the game, and the fact that everybody loved him.
All the players that played for him did, I certainly did and other players have said so.
The story that I always remember is when we were playing in Belfast and the fans behind the dugout were giving his dog's abuse, giving him yars.
He took a cigarette, put it in his mouth, leaned up on the fence and asked somebody if they had a light. There was about 30 or 40 blokes who couldn't wait to get their hands in their pockets to give him a light, and they all stopped giving him abuse.
He just lit it up, said 'cheers' and turned around. You just had to like him, he was a brilliant fella.
You had to love him.
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