With 1971 double-winning Gunner George Graham having just been appointed manager, Arsenal headed to Ireland to face Shamrock Rovers and Waterford in two friendly matches.

Graham was looking forward to the tour: "It will give me a chance to assess the players in action for the first time, and of course start to fine-tune the team ready for the 86-87 season."

The Gunners had already played Shamrock Rovers, who completed the domestic Double in the 85/86 season, in January at Glenmalure Park, losing 1-0 to a goal from legendary League of Ireland star Noel Larkin in a hard-fought match. 

Even before the summer tour got underway, there was a distinctly Irish flavour to proceedings. Irish singer-songwriter Chris De Burgh topped the charts with Lady In Red, and Republic of Ireland international David O’Leary had his testimonial match at Highbury against Celtic on August 5. 

A 30,000 crowd saw the visitors win 2-0, with Arsenal’s David skippering the Gunners and Pierce O’Leary, David’s brother and fellow centre half, who made 39 appearances for Celtic and seven for the Republic of Ireland, captaining the visitors. Pierce had also begun his career at Shamrock Rovers.

George Graham acknowledged the strong connection which existed between Arsenal and Ireland. ‘Liam Brady and Frank Stapleton were huge favourites with Arsenal fans a few years back. 

We have thousands of Irish supporters, and we still have two players - David O’Leary and young Niall Quinn, in the team, who maintain that link.’ Beanpole striker Quinn - also accomplished in the fields of Gaelic football and hurling, recalled: "There was a real buzz about the tour in Ireland. The fact that Dave [O’Leary] and myself were in the team added to the sense of excitement. Autograph hunters swarmed all around us."

The Gunners defeated Shamrock Rovers 2-0 on August 10 at Glenmalure Park in front of 4500 supporters, with goals from Paul Davis and Graham Rix either side of half time. 

The iconic venue was sold a year later and then demolished, leaving Rovers, who were regulars in European football in that era, homeless for 20 years. Three days later, the Gunners battled out a hard-fought draw with Waterford, who’d recently lost 2-0 to Shamrock Rovers in the 1986 FAI Final. 

Ian Allinson scored for George Graham’s side in the 30th minute, with Kieran McCabe equalising from the penalty spot in the 70th minute. 

The match was useful preparation for Waterford’s upcoming First Round Cup Winners Cup clash with Bordeaux, which the French side won 6-1 on aggregate. 

Shamrock Rovers went on to win another league title, and Arsenal would win the Littlewoods Cup during George Graham’s first season in charge, with Eire duo David O’Leary and Niall Quinn making key contributions to the team throughout the season. 

READ ABOUT OUR IRISH HERITAGE.