Mick mccarthy 2002 celebrations v germany

THERE ARE last minute goals and then there's that Robbie Keane goal

On the biggest stage, against one of the biggest teams and possibly the world's best goalkeeper at the time, Robbie Keane's 91st minute equaliser against Germany at the 2002 World Cup sent Ireland's sea of green at the Kashima Soccer Stadium into raptures, and was forever sewn into the fabric of Irish sporting folklore.

Despite the fact that 19 years have passed since that memorable night in Japan, thinking about that memorable strike rippling the back of Oliver Khan's net still gives Keane the shivers.

"I still get goosebumps when I see that goal. One of the greatest feelings to score for your country at a World Cup," he admitted on Instagram last year.

Mick McCarthy's side had been drawn in a tough group alongside eventual finalists Germany, and Olympic champions Cameroon, who boasted a young Samuel Eto'o.

But theirs wasn't the only young superstar forward on display.

Keane, who had just turned 21 and already had stints at Inter Milan, Coventry City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United under his belt, had much of the weight of a nation on his shoulders, particularly after teammate Roy Keane's infamous pre-tournament exit.

Ireland needed a replacement hero. And boy did they get one.

After drawing their first fixture with Cameroon, a hiding from Germany would put them on the verge of an early exit.

Hopes of getting a result weren't especially high, but with a fresh crop of athletic go-getters in Shay Given, Damien Duff, Matt Holland and of course, Keane, there was always hope.

The humidity in Japan was palpable - something few Irishmen have experienced before. Miroslav Klose's first half strike put the German's on track for victory. But as the game wore on, t

We’d narrowly missed out on France ’98 and Euro 2000 when we were drawn in the same qualifying group as Portugal and Holland for the 2002 World Cup.

I don’t think anybody gave us a chance and, because of those two previous campaigns, I was also under some pressure. People thought we’d get beat away to both, and that that would be the end of me.

But we’d been playing well, and improving. After going out to Turkey before Euro 2000, a few of the lads retired – but with the new ones who came in we had a really bright, young squad, and you could see that they were gelling and progressing. In training, Shay Given would make outrageous saves that would make you stop; Robbie Keane would do things that would have the lads applauding.

It was a really tough draw, but you’ve just got to get on with it. My view’s always been that, if somebody poses you a challenge, you’ve got to go and confront it.

Before that qualification campaign started we went to America – to Chicago, Boston and New York – and that was the catalyst for what was to follow. We drew with Mexico and America, and beat South Africa, and we had a great time.

The whole trip was brilliant, like being away with a club side. The lads said how much they enjoyed it, and off the back of it we went into those qualifiers full of confidence.

We were starting away to Holland in Amsterdam. If that wasn’t tough enough, we’d had two players arrested while under the influence when we were supposed to be preparing, so I sent them home.

"Portugal at Lansdowne Road was Roy Keane’s type of game"

Richard Dunne was another of those young players, and he was brilliant out there. We played really well in a 2-2 draw – goals from Robbie Keane and Jason McAteer had put us 2-0 up, and we probably should have won.

Despite it being a great result, we actually left feeling slightly disappointed. A trip to play the Portugal of Luis Figo and Rui Costa was next, and we fell behind – but a late goal from Mat