O’Connor reflects on Prague goal as Ireland play-off looms

Memories of a November night in Prague came flooding back to former Athlone Town player and manager Turlough O’Connor when the World Cup qualifier draw was made in December.

O’Connor was part of the Republic of Ireland team squad who travelled to the Czechia capital for a European Championship fixture in 1967 against what was then known as Czechoslovakia. He recalled that Ireland made the trip “more in hope”, but he was to etch his name in international football folklore when he scored the winning goal in a 2-1 win.

It was the Republic of Ireland’s first win on Czechia soil, a victory which he hopes to see replicated on Thursday night when the national team return to Prague for a World Cup qualifying play-off fixture.

Recalling that history making night behind the Iron Curtain, O’Connor said it had “such a positive impact” on his career.

“I was only 21 and starting out on my football journey. Without that goal happening, I might not have had such a rewarding career, said Turlough, adding that it was a memorable moment "to score a winning goal in those circumstances”.

Almost six decades later, the goal still resonates with him.

“It’s hard to believe that we are discussing a goal which was scored 59 years ago, so I suppose I have a lot to thank Troy Parrott for,” he said.

While the Republic of Ireland will have just over 1,000 fans in the Fortuna Arena on Thursday night, O’Connor recalls that the support for the away team was “non-existent” in November 1967.

“There definitely wasn’t the level of support you see from the Republic of Ireland supporters on that night and the stadium was almost close to silence when I scored the winning goal. We had little expectancy of winning the game, as the Czechs had three or four star quality players in their team,” O’Connor added.

O’Connor went on to play on six more occasions for the Republic of Ireland, scoring his second goal for the national team in a 3-2 win over Ecuador in the Brazilian Independence Cup in 1972.

He cherished each minute wearing the green jersey and he hopes that he’ll have more moments to remember as a supporter when the Republic of Ireland take to the field on Thursday night.

However, he is wary of the game’s outcome with many of the view that “we are already at the World Cup”.

“I’d be a little afraid from an Irish point of view. There is an expectation from a lot of supporters ahead of the game after our wins over Portugal and Hungary, but Czechia would also be happy to be playing us at home,” O’Connor stressed.

Parrott’s scoring exploits have brought the Republic of Ireland to this stage of the tournament and O’Connor likes what he sees in the AZ Alkmaar player.

“He reminds me a little of Robbie Keane. He is in good goalscoring form for his club and seems to score important goals for the national team. Hopefully, he can do so again on Thursday night,” O’Connor said.

Should the Republic of Ireland beat Czechia and advance to a final World Cup qualifying play-off date with Denmark or North Macedonia, O’Connor will be in the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night next willing on the ‘Boys in Green’.

“I haven’t missed a game in the Aviva Stadium for many years now. Hopefully, we have cause for celebration firstly on Thursday night and once again in Dublin next week,” O’Connor concluded.