Jim Goodwin lifted his first trophy as a manager when Dundee United claimed the Championship title.
But it wasn’t the Tannadice gaffer’s maiden taste of silverware.
Goodwin was part of the Scunthorpe side that upset the odds to win League One in 2006/07, beating the likes of Nottingham Forest and Swansea City to promotion.
He added a CIS Insurance Cup medal to his collection in 2013, captaining St Mirren to a breathless 3-2 win over Hearts at Hampden Park.
However, one must go back even further for the proud Irishman’s first triumph of note, as he played a key role in his country’s remarkable march to U/16 European Championships glory – at St Johnstone’s McDiarmid Park home.
On the eve of the senior action beginning at Euro 2024, Courier Sport looks back on this oft-forgotten youth tournament that took place on Scottish soil in 1998, and left the likes of Spain, Portugal and Italy licking their wounds.
No Ireland, no party…
It would be wrong to characterise the Ireland squad that made the short trip across the water as no-hopers.
Led by legendary youth coach Brian Kerr, Goodwin was joined by future Manchester United ace John O’Shea, the wildly gifted Andy Reid and the late Liam Miller.
Indeed, there were SEVEN future internationals in the group, including Goodwin. Two months later, Kerr would steer Ireland to victory in the U/18 Championships in Cyprus. Something of a golden era.
However, the notion that such success was on the horizon was fanciful to a group of kids who simply rocked up to their plush Perthshire base camp Crieff Hydro for a party.
During an “In Conversation With…” event at The Courier’s Dundee HQ, Goodwin reflected on the sense of fearlessness and excitement that pervaded the camp. No pressure, no expectation – plenty of potential.
He said: “Honestly, we felt we were there to make up the numbers and just have a good couple of weeks together in Scotland, as 15- and 16-year-old lads. And we wrecked that hotel at times!
“In terms of professionalism, we were probably the least professional team in the competition. We were allowed to stay up to all hours – Brian Kerr was very relaxed, and his assistant Noel O’Reilly used to play the guitar.
“So, we’d be down at the bar having a right good sing song while they are getting on it at the bar…and there was a game the following morning.”
Sir Alex Ferguson’s personal touch
Even after a late night, Ireland were bright and breezy on the pitch.
They would navigate the entire tournament without conceding a goal until the final; Goodwin crafting a superb partnership with O’Shea in the heart of defence.
Moreover, but for the personal touch of Sir Alex Ferguson, that rapport could have translated to the youth ranks at Celtic.
Goodwin added: “John was geared up to come to Celtic with me, but Sir Alex Ferguson turned up on his door in Waterford, completely out of the blue. His father nearly had a heart attack when he opened the door!
“He convinced John to go to Manchester United instead of Celtic.”
Upsetting the odds
Avoid defeat against Spain and a place in the quarter-final was theirs; La Roja boasted Iker Casillas, Raul Bravo and Vicente in their ranks. Ireland prevailed 1-0, with Newcastle United’s David McMahon scoring the decisive goal.
Denmark fell 2-0 in the last-eight before Portugal were seen off by the same scoreline at McDiarmid Park in the semis.
Back in Perth for the showpiece against Italy, Simone Pelanti – later on the books of Southampton and Fiorentina – cancelled out Keith Foy’s opener. Not to be denied, McMahon struck the winner.
Reid would later tell the Irish Independent: “Once we went 2-1 up, I knew we’d win. I saw it in the faces of the lads we had on the pitch and on the bench. We had such a bond; I knew every player there would stand up and be counted.
“I can think of maybe three or four moments in my career where I felt like that. It doesn’t happen that often – but it happened with that team in ‘98.”
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