🎥 OTD: Holland strikes as Ireland draw with Cameroon at the 2002 World Cup | OneFootball

The 2002 FIFA World Cup is often viewed as one of the more memorable tournaments in football history, and the Republic of Ireland undoubtedly had a hand in that.

It was on this day 23 years ago that The Boys in Green under Mick McCarthy kick-started their summer campaign against African giants Cameroon.

After going a goal down in the first half thanks to a 39th-minute strike from cult hero Patrick Mboma, Ireland would respond after the break through popular midfielder Matt Holland, whose low drive would slip into the bottom corner.

A credible 1-1 draw to begin play in Group E would springboard Ireland to a second 1-1 draw on matchday two against world superpower Germany before a 3-0 win against Saudi Arabia saw them book passage to the round of 16.

Ireland went on to fight heroically against Spain in a 1-1 affair before losing 4-2 on penalties, but it was a tournament they certainly would be proud of.

📸 Stu Forster - 2002 Getty Images