Tells the definitive story of Ireland’s infamous 1982 World Cup qualification campaign, while painting a vivid picture of 1980s Ireland through the eyes of a young football fan.

By writer Paul Little, author of the widely acclaimed In the Shadow of Benbulben: Dixie Dean at Sligo Rovers.

Primarily written in the present tense to give a ‘real-time’ feel to events, this riveting book:

• Draws on meticulous research of Irish newspapers and TV to bring to life all eight of the Republic of Ireland’s 1982 World Cup qualifying matches
• Discusses how Eoin Hand took over from John Giles as Ireland manager after the first qualifier in Cyprus
• Covers the build-up to games in detail, from the squad announcements to the starting 11 on the day, including the pre- and post-match thoughts of many of those involved
• Describes matches in the present tense to convey a sense of immediacy
• Features the author’s childhood memories of life in Dublin in the early 1980s – the games children played, home life and what was on TV – with Irish and world news providing a backdrop to the qualifying campaign
• Finishes with a ‘what if’ chapter considering what might have happened had Ireland qualified for the 1982 World Cup, including the thoughts of Eoin Hand himself

Perfect for all nostalgia-lovers and fans of Irish football, this book transports you back to a depressed 1980s Ireland and a troubled world where football dreams offered a thrilling escape.

"There are plenty more what-might-have-been stories in Irish football, but few will be as engaging as Paul Little’s trip down memory lane... [It's] a wonderful portrayal of an eventful, and chaotic, few years for Irish football."

"If you like anything to do with Irish football history, you need to buy this book."

"It's such a wonderful book... I really have to commend Paul on the way in which he wrote it... how he paced and built it... it's the closest we'll get to being there and living through it."

"So well worth checking out, a brilliant read."

Paul Little is an Irish freelance football writer turned author who has worked in sports broadcasting and written for a number of publications, including Football 365 and, more recently, the Irish Daily Star, where he spent several seasons covering European football. Building on his widely acclaimed 2022 debut In the Shadow of Benbulben: Dixie Dean at Sligo Rovers, Paul is determined to relay more folklore and stories from the beautiful game’s long history in Ireland.