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Video: Have a look at Ireland’s first FIFA World Cup match, which took place 81 years ago today

Published 12:10 25 Feb 2015 GMT

Gareth Makim
Video: Have a look at Ireland’s first FIFA World Cup match, which took place 81 years ago today

Homesport

It was a goalfest at Dalymount

Today marks the 81st anniversary of Ireland's first ever World Cup game, played under the banner of the Irish Free State, a qualifier against Belgium at Dalymount Park. The game finished 4-4 and it was a memorable day for Dubliner Paddy Moore, who netted all four of Ireland's goals as they came from 2-0, 3-1 and 4-3 down to share the spoils against the Belgians. Moore was the first player to score four times in a World Cup match. Judging the the video below, which for some reason only includes footage of Belgian forays forward, it was a fairly physical encounter, with some hefty challenges that we are sure a certain Mr Mourinho would not approve of. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHE3CtI7kWo The Irish subsequently lost to the group's third team, the Netherlands, 5-2 in Amsterdam and missed out on qualification to the tournament in Italy on goal difference.

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Video: Have a look at Ireland's first FIFA World Cup match, which took place 81 years ago today