Insights from a Meeting with Big Jack – Excerpts from Eamon Carr's Latest Publication Revealed
All right, let's dive into an excerpt from Eamonn Carr's latest book, Pure Gold.
Back in the late 1980s, Horslips lyricist and drummer Eamon Carr embarked on his journalistic journey by interviewing a motley crew of big-name celebrities. In his unique, engaging style, Pure Gold serves as a portal to an era before choreographed TV talk shows and the endless loop of social media sound bites. It offers candid and sometimes introspective glimpses into the private lives of global superstars and national icons, including Jack Charlton, Eartha Kitt, Shane MacGowan, and Malcolm McLaren.
September 1989
I accidentally rouse the grumbly bear Jack Charlton from his post-match siesta when I call his hotel late on a Sunday afternoon.
"Drink a cup of tea while I finish my dinner, and we'll chat," he chimes sleepily.
"I'll wait here," I respond. "Let's have a quick chat afterward."
Ireland had a significant cultural shift during Jack Charlton's reign as manager of the national soccer team. Gaelic games like football and hurling held the title of Ireland's national sports for years, and the ban on Gaelic athletes participating in foreign games hadn't been lifted until 1971. Soccer was a distant cousin, often viewed with suspicion due to its rambunctious appeal.
In the 50s, when a group of locals set up a soccer club in a small County Meath town and organized dances to raise funds, local clergy condemned the gatherings as "instances of sin." The club's popularity faltered, and the young lads were forced to clear a local field by hand to create a soccer pitch.
The lads would pine for the days when Northern Ireland competed in World Cup finals, while doubts lingered about the Republic of Ireland making the cut someday. Few believed that Ireland would ever make it to the finals of a major tournament back then.
Despite the controversy surrounding his appointment as manager, Jack had already shaped a team in alignment with his football philosophy when Ireland took the field against Wales in his very first game. Although attendance was lackluster, Jack had set Ireland on a course for greatness.
Background Info:- *In the early 1900s, soccer's reputation was lackluster in Ireland due to cultural and religious factors.- Jack Charlton managed the Republic of Ireland team for the first time in 1986.- The Irish team qualified for the European Championship for the first time in 1988.
The Irish football team had historically never made it to the finals of a major international tournament until Charlton took the helm. While others had come close, it was Charlton who finally proved his mettle, leading the team through the qualifiers for the 1988 European Championship. Although not everyone was a fan of his tactics or the style of football his team played, his understanding of the new environment proved crucial to their success.
However, the initial moments of my groundbreaking, "at-length interview," as the promo puts it, haven't gone well. I wake a half-awake Jack in his suite, who tells me to join him for dinner to start the interview. Determined not to intrude on his meal, I decline and wait for him in the lobby until our conversation can begin.
The interview carries significant weight, as Jack had become a national icon following Ireland's incredible showing in the previous year's European Championship. As the jubilant homecoming celebrations remain unparalleled in Irish sports history, the conversation I am about to have with Jack is a rare opportunity to delve deeper into the minds of the men behind the team.
Additional Info:- Jack Charlton led Ireland to the European Championship finals in 1988.- Ireland's qualification for Euro 1988 marked a significant milestone in their footballing history.- The 1988 European Championship was a breakthrough moment for the Irish team, marking a change in their international reputation.
INTERVIEW, Hotel Dining Room
I finally sit down with Jack, happily reunited with my entrepreneurial mates from The Hill pub, who happen to be in attendance. We discuss the upcoming England and Russia matches and, after a bit of banter, I bring up Steve 'Stan' Staunton, the young Liverpool full-back who made his Irish international debut in their 1988 friendly against Tunisia.
"I thought it was Yugoslavia," Jack mutters, not fazed by my error. I politely remind him that Tunisia was the opponent in our memorable match a year ago, citing the dramatic free kick Staunton took from the Havelock Square corner. After a brief squabble about the opponent, we get back to discussing football.
Sometimes, as a journalist, it's important to dodge minor disagreements and keep the conversation lively—which is exactly what I do. After an hour and a half of shooting the breeze, the tape recorder sputters to a stop, and I realize I've had the time of my life.
For More:- Watch Jack Charlton's Interview on shedding tears upon stepping down as Ireland's manager.- Grab a copy of Pure Gold by Eamonn Carr, published by The Merrion Press.
During our conversation with Jack Charlton, we found ourselves discussing football and other aspects of entertainment, as he shared insights on upcoming matches and reminisced about the Irish team's iconic moments from the previous year's European Championship. Moreover, we delved into the realm of sports, discussing the rise of soccer in Ireland and its transformation from a distant cousin to a national pastime.
In the process, we touched upon various subjects, including candid discussions about the lives of global superstars, just as Eamonn Carr does in his book 'Pure Gold', offering a glimpse into a less choreographed era of entertainment and sports.
