WORLD CUP USA ’94 / QUARTERFINALS : Spotlight : EVERYBODY WATCHES

Ireland’s World Cup matches produced the highest television ratings in the nation’s sports history, RTE, the Irish television network, reported.

According to one telephone poll, 93% of all viewers watched Ireland’s opening game against Italy. The percentage was even higher when Ireland played Holland in the second round, with the Irish Times reporting that the game was seen by “virtually the whole population.”