While the Republic of Ireland didn’t make it to Euro 92, they were involved in another tournament that summer.
Along with hosts USA, Italy and Portugal, Ireland were involved in the inaugural US Cup at the end of May and start of June 1992, each side playing each other once. While Ireland wore their normal kit in losing their opener against the home side – who also had white shorts – Jack Charlton’s side went with mono-colour looks for their other two games.
While the shirts were effectively the same as those used at the World Cup in 1990, Ireland had changed their crest in 1991 and frontal numbers were used for the first time (though the numbers on the front of the shirts and the shorts differed from those on the back).
The first match was a 3-1 loss to the home side, with both in home kits. There was a shorts clash but Ireland hadn’t mixed and matched strips at Italia 90 and so this wasn’t surprising. However, all-green was worn against Italy, who were in their away kit.
Incidentally, it wasn’t the first time Ireland had changed shorts against them, having done so in a friendly in 1985, too. The Italians didn’t have a maker’s logo on their shirts at the time, so they placed the front number on the right breast.
A 2-0 loss ended any hopes Ireland had of winning, though a win was achieved in the final match against Portugal, also 2-0. This time, Ireland were in all-white.
