From the nation holding its breath to Robbie Brady bringing us to our feet in Lille – five of George Hamilton’s most memorable quotes

As the legendary commentator hangs up the RTÉ headset, here are five of his most memorable moments in the gantry.

On our feet in Lille

Irish international football hasn’t provided much to celebrate for those of a younger vintage, but Robbie Brady certainly delivered in Lille.

It was scoreless with less than six minutes of normal time to go. Ireland needed a win or it would be time to go home from Euro 2016.

It looked as though the Italians would succeed in frustrating Ireland. Then came a cross, a clever run and a headed finish from Brady that lifted the nation.

“Robbie Brady brings us all to our feet in Lille,” was the cry from Hamilton following a moment we still cling to more than eight years later. He added: “No more than Ireland deserved. A fantastic goal to put Ireland in front.”

Danger here…

As the years went on Hamilton became known for being the ultimate deliverer of the commentator’s curse.

With perfect timing bordering on the comedic, he could play down the opposition’s chances of scoring moments before they did just that. He could also assure viewers of Irish victory – only for it to be snatched away soon after.

“Bonner has gone 165 minutes of these championships without conceding a goal. Oh, danger here,” was the call just as Oleh Protasov levelled the score for the Soviet Union at Euro ‘88

Another jinx came decades later against Poland: “I might be tempting fate but I can’t see the Poles scoring. Oh no, they just have.”

The Baggio brothers

Roberto and Dino Baggio were many things. Runners-up together at the 1994 World Cup for Italy, teammates at Juventus, excellent midfielders. But despite their shared surname, they are not related.

Hamilton hadn’t got the memo ahead of Ireland’s group game against the Italians at USA ’94, telling viewers it was crucial we contained “the brothers Baggio”.

He would later correct himself, saying in classic George Hamilton fashion: “The Baggio brothers, of course, are not related.”

Kevin Moran, oldest man on the pitch

Kevin Moran was a great servant of Ireland’s golden age, making 71 appearances over a 14-year international career that included appearances at Euro ’88 and the 1990 World Cup.

Towards the back-end of his days in the green jersey, Moran’s age became the subject of Hamilton’s focus during the game, making for one of the more memorable streams of consciousness to ever go out on an RTÉ broadcast.

“Kevin Moran, oldest man on the pitch today. Thirty-five years of age. Of course the referee could possibly be older than that and technically he’s on the pitch too. Then again his linesmen could be even older than him. But are they technically ‘on’ the pitch?”

The nation holds its breath…

It was Ireland’s first ever penalty shootout, on the world’s biggest stage with a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals at stake. The winning moment has become synonymous with Hamilton.

A forgotten funny moment came in the seconds before Tony Cascarino’s penalty when Hamilton, instead of naming Romanian goalkeeper Silviu Lung, said it was “Cascarino against this fella”.

Then came David O’Leary. “The nation holds its breath. YES!”

At Italia ’90 – the World Cup remembered most fondly – Hamilton carved out his own little bit of history. The Nation Holds Its Breath would end up becoming the title of his 2021 memoir.