This week on World Cup Revisited, John Duggan, Dan McDonnell and Johnny Ward look back at the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea - the last time Ireland made it to international football's biggest stage.

It's a tournament that spilt the Irish fan-base between the Roy Keane and anti-Roy Keane camps as the captain was sent home following a clash with Mick McCarthy at Ireland's Saipan training camp.

16 June 2002; Republic of Ireland players, from left, Damien Duff, Matt Holland, Robbie Keane, Steve Finnan, Kevin Kilbane, Mark Kinsella, Niall Quinn and Kenny Cunningham, watch on during the penalty shoot out with Spain. FIFA World Cup Finals, 2nd Round, Republic of Ireland v Spain, Suwon World cup stadium, Suwon, Korea. Soccer. Cup2002. Picture credit; David Maher / SPORTSFILE *EDI*

On the pitch, Ireland were one penalty kick away from a quarterfinal date with the USA.

The draw could have seen the team get another crack at the Germans in the semi-finals.

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

Defeating Spain in at the Round of 16 stage could have emulated the heroics of Jack Charlton's team in 1990 - and Mick's team would have done it playing a much more attractive brand of football.

Ronaldo's World Cup

Ultimately, the final was contested by Germany and Brazil, with a Ronaldo brace bringing the trophy back to South America.

The Brazilian legend and Robbie Keane were the only players to score against that German side during the whole tournament.

Brazil's Ronaldo celebrates scoring the opening goal

Ronaldo put the ghosts of the 1998 final to rest, scoring 8 goals at the tournament (while supporting that iconic 'fringe' hair cut).

Ahead of our chat, we asked for your 2002 memories:

A few of us were working in South Korea at the time. No mobiles so after work, I went to the "Internet room" to receive an email from my mother...

"Well the whole country is gone stone mad about Roy Keane being kicked off the team. We have Liveline on here now"

Me ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ptUZYkNmzt

— Brendan Kenny (@bennykenny78) May 22, 2020

Getting up ridiculously early to listen to the news on the radio for the latest from Saipan. Was with Keane at the time but different view now, he made the wrong call. Still fantastic performance from the team when so easily could’ve folded. Would love to watch Spain game again.

— Tom Sheerin (@TomShrn) May 22, 2020

Was at all 4 games. I know we got further in 1990 but 2002 might have been our best chance ever to get to the semis. If only we knew Spain were down to 10 men. Great games and great craic.

— Mark Cummins (@markjcummins) May 22, 2020

Bittersweet for Ireland. What could have been if they had beaten Spain. Nonetheless Brazil were different gravy to everyone else that year. The Ronaldo show.

— Matthew Riordan (@Riordan_Matt) May 22, 2020

Really looking forward to this, John. What about the reigning world champions at the time, France? Didn’t even score a goal! Argentina also flopped. Turkey and South Korea the surprises. Best WC for me, helped by fact Ireland and England were both there. pic.twitter.com/772Od5Nfk0

— James Duffy (@jjduffy89) May 23, 2020

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