With the powerhouse midfield presence of Johnny Giles leading a fine generation of talented defensive players like Hurley, Meagan, Dunne, and Cantwell; the 1960s was the decade when for the first time the Republic of Ireland's national team looked set to make a name for itself. Their hopes were ended on several occasions by Spain. After defeating Iceland and Austria in the qualifying rounds for the 1964 Nations Cup, a home and away tie against the Spanish was all that stood in the way of Ireland reaching the finals. A thumping 7-1 aggregate defeat made those finals feel rather more distant. Another defeat by the same opponents in a Paris play-off two years later ended hopes of Irish participation in the 1966 World Cup.