Irish international football has, from time to time, had a high level. Northern Ireland had a successful spell in the 1950s, reaching the World Cup Quarter Finals. Then in the 1980s, they reached the World Cup Finals in 1982 and 1986. They famously defeated soccer giants Spain in the 1982 finals and their goalkeeper, Pat Jennings, is considered one of the greatest ever. The Republic of Ireland, on the other hand, weren’t as successful. But all that changed in 1986 when former England player Jack Charlton was appointed manager. From then on, Big Jack’s green and white army was on the march.