Irish Roses don't smell so sweet! - March 5, 2001
It could have been a big day for the Irish - instead it turned out to be one they will want to forget! The Roses match between Manchester United and Leeds United turned into a bit of a nightmare for the Irish stars.
First Manchester's Roy Keane was ruled out of the game and Gary Kelly, on the comeback trail after a hernia operation, failed to make the Leeds team.
Then Leeds' Robbie Keane pounced on a backpass and rounded 'keeper Fabien Barthez, only to allow himself to be robbed by Barthez with an open goal at his mercy! Robbie paid for his miss when he was substituted by Alan Smith at half time.
Worse was to come. Keane's international colleague, Ian Harte, won a penalty when he tangled with Barthez. Harte stepped up to take the spot kick himself, seeking his eighth goal of the season and his fifth in six games - but Barthez went full length to his right to leave the Irishman burying his head in his hands.
And Irish misery was complete when Denis Irwin made a rare mistake, allowing Danny Mills to beat him to the by-line before crossing for mark Viduka to score Leeds' equalising goal after Luke Chadwick had put the Reds in front.