Republic Of Ireland Signed Memorabilia: 1 product

This superb print shows Paul McGrath in action for the Republic of Ireland in his early 90s heyday.

McGrath won his first Republic of Ireland cap against Italy in 1985, last 12 years later, against Wales. During that time, he was often regarded as the single most influential player Ireland had in the national team's glory days. He was capped 83 times, scoring eight goals.

McGrath was a major part of the breakthrough of Ireland's national team of the late 1980s and early 90s. During the early part of Jack Charlton's era, he played as a defensive midfielder, due to the wealth of talent Ireland had in defence. In UEFA Euro 1988, as the national side first qualified for an international tournament, McGrath was present in the 1-0 group stage win against England.

In 1990, Ireland qualified for its first FIFA World Cup, in 1990 in Italy, eventually reaching the quarter-finals, where they lost to the hosts (1–0 in Rome), with McGrath ever present. He captained the team four times in 1992 after the retirement of Mick McCarthy, and ignored a painful shoulder virus to play in the 1994 World Cup.

In Ireland's opening game of the 1994 World Cup - a 1–0 win against favourites Italy, thanks to Ray Houghton's early goal - in a perfect example of his commitment to the game, McGrath put up an astonishing defensive performance in spite of excruciating knee problems, including blocking a shot from Roberto Baggio with his face.

The photo bears a numbered hologram. An identically numbered hologram is fixed to the certificate of authenticity.