Green & Red giants to reel in the years

Liverpool and Ireland legends Ray Houghton and Mark Lawrenson reunite to promote Q&A event

Vicar St. Talking Reds fundraiser sponsored by Fortus, Gibneys of Malahide and FORSA

A night of riveting football stories, side-splitting revelations and craic is promised from Ray Houghton and Mark Lawrenson at Vicar Street on Monday, October 19.

Only a few footballers can claim to have played key roles in Ireland’s history-making success under Jack Charlton while also enabling Liverpool’s incredible haul of trophies in the 1980s.

And the Irish Professional Footballers’ Benevolent Association (IPFBA) is bringing the stars in red and green to the famous Dublin city centre stage for an evening of nostalgia while also shining a light into the current fortunes of Liverpool and Ireland.

Mark Lawrenson and Ray Houghton both became respected media pundits after their playing careers, with Mark a long-time analyst on Match of the Day and Ray a co-commentator for RTÉ for many years now.

Razor (above) capped Ireland’s memorable Euro 88 campaign with the winning goal against England in Stuttgart in the nation’s first ever game at a major tournament and would repeat the feat in New York’s Giants Stadium in 1994 when his lobbed effort defeated Italy 1-0 in the World Cup finals.

Lawro’s input was also massively important, with his winning goal against Scotland at Hampden Park in February 1987 in the crucial qualifying Euro 88 group match regarded as the night when Big Jack’s side mobilised for a decade of unprecedented glory.

With Kenny Dalglish-managed Liverpool, Ray and Mark scaled incredible heights as the club claimed trophy after trophy with only a career-ending injury preventing Mark from playing at Euro 88 in West Germany.

Nathan Murphy and Barry Murphy are the compères for what promises to be a hugely enjoyable occasion that will help boost the coffers of the IPFBA that was established in October 2023 to raise funds for ex-players (men and women) in this country who face challenges in their lives.

A raffle for an array of Liverpool and Ireland football memorabilia will be held, as will an auction for items that include Kenny Dalglish-signed Liverpool jerseys.

MAGICAL ERA

Ray recalls his days with Ireland and Liverpool with deep fondness and real pride.

“When I joined the Ireland set up in the spring of 1986 I arrived just as a magical era was starting. I had never been involved in international football so it was all so fresh for me.

“We were all aware that Ireland had been so close to qualifying for major tournaments under John Giles and Eoin Hand. Now Jack and all the players wanted to be the first group to reach the promised land.

“Thankfully, that’s what happened over the next decade and I am so proud to have played my part in the success at Euro 88 and the 1990 and 1994 World Cup finals. I managed to chip in a few big goals as well!”

In tandem with his contribution to Ireland’s success, Razor was a key figure in Liverpool’s success in the late 1980s and early nineties.

“I will leave it to others to decide where Kenny Dalglish’s team of that era stands in the overall evaluation of all the great sides to wear the red shirt.

Ray Houghton in his Liverpool prime, speaking ahead of the Talking Reds event on October 19th, and making a point during his heyday as a tigerish attacking midfielder for Ireland.

“What that Liverpool team did was introduce a change in the playing style. Kenny signed the outstanding John Barnes who was the ultimate winger in that he could take players on, boasted great feet, was strong in the air and was capable of scoring and creating goals.

“John Aldridge and Ian Rush were scoring goals for fun while Peter Beardsley could find the net and create chances for others.

“For me, I joined a group of players whose mentality was based on winning games and trophies. These players were serial winners who had won every domestic piece of silverware and the European Cup while handling all the pressure that accompanied that success.”

GLORY DAYS

Mark recalls his years with the Anfield club with glowing pride also.

“We had an incredible spine to the team in Alan Hansen, myself, Graeme Souness, King Kenny and Ian Rush. It’s fair to say that we almost managed our own team with Graeme, as the midfielder, calling the shots.”

Mark reveals that Jack Charlton’s plan to deploy him in midfield for the famous 1-0 Euro 88 qualifying win in Scotland was born a few weeks earlier at a squad training camp at Lilleshall.

Mark Lawrenson holds off the great CCCP striker Oleg Blokhin; celebrating the 1981 League Cup with Ronnie Whelan at Wembley, and all smiles at the press conference in Dublin ahead of his appearance at Vicar St.

“Jack told me that he wanted to mark Graeme but then he didn’t play. I scored the early goal for us and then, later in the game, I broke out with the ball after beating Alan Hansen to it.

“I pushed up the pitch and my shot shaved the post. I was really disappointed not to score but Jack went mad with me at the final whistle.

“Jack went berserk — ‘do that to me again and you will never play for the country again!’ Later, he said ‘well done’.”

SUPPORT

IPFBA chairperson Harry McCue is delighted that two true legends of the Ireland international team are showing their fulsome support to the cause of ex-players.

“The IPFBA is all about helping retired players so when stars of the stature of Ray Houghton and Mark Lawrenson give us their support it gives us a real lift, while also helping boost our finances,” said Harry.

“I cannot thank them enough and the same applies to our sponsors, Fortus, Gibneys of Malahide and FORSA, and also to Teneo for their continued backing.”

Since its formation in October 2023, the IPFBA has helped 56 ex-players in meeting challenges they face in their lives. This includes 48 men and women who underwent a health screening programme last January with Cork-based company Advanced Medical Services.

Two former League of Ireland stars were referred for immediate further medical care after receiving their results.

IPFBA secretary Martin Lawlor and vice-chair Linda Gorman at the press conference and below with Ray, Mark and IPFBA colleagues with some of the signed Liverpool and Ireland jerseys these two football greats have donated for auction and raffle on the night. Photos: Lorraine O’Sullivan

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