RTE search for Ireland’s greatest sporting moment has boiled the piss of thousands of viewers who tuned in knowing full-well that Italia 90 would be number one.
And so it was, there’s really no question. The word ‘moment’ is important, and there is not one moment that can hold a candle to Packie Bonner’s penalty save against Romania in terms of the cultural impact it had on our nation.
Where there is room for debate is in the other four spots of the top five. As was revealed on Thursday night, Ray Houghton’s goal against Italy at USA 94 made the cut, as did Sonia O'Sullivan's world gold medal, Michael Carruth's Olympic gold, and Clare's All Ireland win in 95.
One of these was not like the other for Ruby Walsh, who argued that including the win over Italy was ‘celebrating mediocrity’ as Ireland were knocked out of the competition by Holland.
'We jump up and down & celebrate mediocrity' - Ruby Walsh doesn't believe Houghton's goal should be part of the shortlist #irelandsgreatest pic.twitter.com/hdew3t6sad
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 16, 2017
While he is fully entitled to his opinion, he seems to have missed the point regarding the discussion at hand. It's not about the achievement, but the moment, and the fact that the entire nation was rocking as Ray Houghton looped that ball over Gianluca Pagliuca renders what was to follow - our elimination from the tournament after the next two games - irrelevant in this discussion.
Also, it's the bloody World Cup. The world's game, the biggest tournament in it, qualifying is an achievement for a nation the size of Ireland, so beating an Italian team full of iconic players - who would go on to lose the final on penalties - is absolutely worth celebrating.
Walsh's views upset many on Twitter who voiced their disagreement.
Ruby Walsh being very dismissive of what was a great moment. I could dismiss all his victories as the horse does all the work! #IrelandsGreatest
— Brian Egan (@bokane82) November 16, 2017
Ruby Walsh talking bollox.
Houghton goal v Italy WAS a huge moment. May not have won a medal,but the entire country remembers that moment.#irelandsgreatest— stephen O C (@steveOc7) November 16, 2017
Why, in a programme about the MOMENT, is Ruby Walsh allowed take it down by the 'achievement' of Ireland at USA '94...
— Chris McNulty (@chrismcnulty86) November 16, 2017
Ruby Walsh completely forgetting the concept of the show, greatest moments no? #irelandsgreatest
— gerard blaine (@gblaineofficial) November 16, 2017
A pile of shite. So Ruby Walsh reckons houghtons goal v Italy wasn't a gr8 moment cos we didn't go on and win World Cup?#irelandsgreatest
— William Logan (@_Logie14) November 16, 2017
Ruby Walsh showing a unique understanding of the flow of time there, saying that an entire 3 or 4 week tournament as opposed to a goal being scored is a ‘moment’.. right so #IrelandsGreatest
— Niall O'Keeffe (@NiallOK) November 16, 2017
Difference between #FIFA World Cup is a global sport as opposed to @RonanOGara10 sport which is played by 10 countries & Ruby Walsh where only interest is in #Kildare #irelandsgreatest
— Brendan Barry-Murphy (@bbarrymurphy) November 16, 2017
That said, there were many who agreed with him too. It's almost like the entire point of this ranking of different moments from different sports was intended to be divisive...
