In pictures | How Irish fans made the most of the 2002 World Cup

Having made three of four tournaments between 1990 and 2002 - if Ireland can make it to the 2022 tournament it will be 20 years since the Boys in Green last graced international football's showpiece tournament at the 2002 World Cup.

This week on World Cup Revisited, John Duggan, Dan McDonnell and Johnny Ward looked back at the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea:

When Ireland did get there - the fans made the most of it.

Irish fans created a noisy green-wall wherever the team traveled:

Ireland fans celebrate their teams' last-minute equaliser against Germany.

Ireland fans soak up the atmosphere prior to the game with Germany

Ireland fans cheer on their side against Saudi Arabia, David Maher / SPORTSFILE

5 June 2002; Republic of Ireland fans celebrates Robbie Keane's goal against Germany. FIFA World Cup Finals, Group E, Republic of Ireland v Germany, Ibaraki Stadium, Ibaraki, Japan. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

Ireland's Niall Quinn (l) and Matt Holland applaud the backing from their fans

For those who couldn't make the trip to the World Cup - there was plenty of criac to be had at home:

11 June 2002; Republic of Ireland fans in their tri-colour painted car celebrate after the Republic of Ireland v Suadi Arabia, World Cup Finals, pictured at Trinity College, Dublin. Picture credit; Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE

5 June 2002; Memerobilia vendor Sabrina Daly from Church Street, Dublin, during the Republic of Ireland v Germany game at the FIFA World Cup Finals. Picture credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE

5 June 2002; Flats on Fitzgibbon Street in Dublin decorated with flags and bunting to show their support for the Republic of Ireland team ahead of their FIFA World Cup game against Germany. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

11 June 2002; Republic of Ireland fans show their support after the Saudi Arabia v Republic of Ireland game at the World Cup 2002 finals. Cup2002. Soccer. Picture credit; Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE

11 June 2002; A quiet Liffey Street, Dublin, during the Republic of Ireland v Saudi Arabia, World Cup Finals. Soccer. Cup2002. Picture credit; Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE

Despite the early kick-offs, the countries pubs, clubs and venues were alive with punters taking in the action:

5 June 2002; Former Republic of Ireland Manager Jack Charlton watches the Republic of Ireland v Germany match in the FIFA World Cup Finals. RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Picture credit Aoife Rice / SPORTSFILE

Ireland fans celebrating Robbie Keane's last minute equaliser, in the second half of their second Group E World Cup game, at the All Sports Bar in Templebar, Dublin. The final score was 1-1.

5 June 2002; Republic of Ireland fans celebrate Robbie Keane's late equaliser against Germany in the FIFA World Cup Finals. The Submarine Bar, Dublin. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

5 June 2002; Republic of Ireland fans celebrate Robbie Keane's late equaliser against Germany in the FIFA World Cup Finals. The Submarine Bar, Dublin. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

Irish supporters watching the Republic of Ireland lose their second stage World Cup match against Spain, at the big screens erected at the Westwood Gym, in Clontarf, Dublin, where over 2,000 congregated. Spain won the match after penalties.

11 June 2002; Republic of Ireland fans celebrate victory over Saudi Arabia, Submarine Bar, Dublin. Soccer. Cup2002. Picture credit; Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE

11 June 2002; A Republic of Ireland fan shows his support during the Saudi Arabia v Republic of Ireland game at the World Cup 2002 finals. Cup2002. Soccer. Picture credit; Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

Ireland got to the cusp of making the quarter-finals - and were embraced by the Irish fans when they returned home, with a special event at the Pheonix Park:

18 June 2002; Irish fans at the Republic of Ireland homecoming party at the Phoenix Park, Dublin. Soccer. Cup2002. Picture credit; Aoife Rice / SPORTSFILE

18 June 2002; Irish fans at the Republic of Ireland homecoming party at the Phoenix Park, Dublin. Soccer. Cup2002. Picture credit; Aoife Rice / SPORTSFILE

18 June 2002; An Irish fan cheers on the team at the Republic of Ireland homecoming party at the Phoenix Park, Dublin. Soccer. Cup2002. Picture credit; Aoife Rice / SPORTSFILE

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