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Aviva's Greatest Moments | Jon Walters v Jack Charlton's emotional return

The AVIVA Stadium has played host to plenty of huge moments over the last decade, and it's imposs...



Aviva's Greatest Moments | Jon...
Soccer

Aviva's Greatest Moments | Jon Walters v Jack Charlton's emotional return

The AVIVA Stadium has played host to plenty of huge moments over the last decade, and it's impossible to forget Jack Charlton's emotional return five years ago before an international game with England.

We have two Twitter polls running each day - and our first one this morning is pitting that Charlton visit to Dublin up against Jon Walters' wonderful brace against the Bosnians, also in 2015.

The 2-0 win on the night added to the 1-1 draw away from home to hand the Republic of Ireland a 3-1 aggregate win and progression to EURO 2016. So we wouldn't have had that glorious Robbie Brady header against Italy without Walters' double-delight in qualifying!

What makes that Walters moment all the more incredible? Well apparently he was suffering from a throat and ear infection on the night.

"I was playing right midfield and it was tough, I was up and down, tracking the full-back, but I got my second wind. Adrenaline gets you through. And caffeine. A lot of caffeine. Before games I tend to have loads of coffee".

He also stated that as a result of feeling so poorly, he ended up missing the party for players and staff afterwards as he was so "wiped out" from the effects of his effort and the drugs.

The emotion that night was up there with that when Charlton made his return to the AVIVA Stadium, in his capacity as an FAI Guest of Honour ahead of an international friendly with England.

Charlton was part of the English side that won the 1966 World Cup on home turf, and he of course went on to lead the Republic of Ireland into their first three major tournaments - EURO 1988, and the World Cups in Italy in 1990 and the USA in 1994.

Which moment was bigger? Have your say on the Twitter poll pinned to our feed!

Aviva Ireland has been a proud sponsor of the Aviva Stadium for 10 years. Since 2010, over 7.2 million fans from around the world have attended matches at the Aviva Stadium. We’re encouraging fans to tell us your favourite moments from the iconic venue by following Aviva Ireland on Instagram and Twitter and sharing them using #SafeToDream


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