Best Irish Players Ever

[AlaskaFox]

Started today on GreenScene, continuing for two weeks. And then it's opened it up for the readers to make their own list.
http://greenscene.me/2011/02/best-irish-football-players-ever-60-51/

How is Gary Breen not every position from one to eleven?

[Fixer82]

"Gary Breen was very dependable in an Irish jersey and created a strong partnership with Kenny Cunningham at the heart of an Irish defence that conceded only 3 goals in 4 games at the 2002 World Cup."

I believe it was Staunton that was centre of defence with Breen.
Plus, conceding 3 in 4 games is hardly an outstanding record now is it...

Always like Breen though, a player who was well able to take a goal too

[Hibs4Ever]

Thought Kenny Cunningham would be higher than 51 tbh

[elroy]

Lawro comparing Wilshere of Arsenal to Brady yesterday. Unfortunately am too young to have fully appreciated Bradys career, he was in his last few years when I remember him. How we could do with someone of his calibre now.
Certainly one of our top 3 players of all time i would say.

[Sullivinho]

Very nice feature. I'll be watching with interest.

[Yard of Pace]

Gary Breen...a gent but I would've said he made too many errors in games to call him one of our best 60 players. If he was actually that good we wouldn't have all laughed so much at the "Breen to Inter/Barca" rumours.

[The Fly]

The top 4 should be (in no particular order): Paul McGrath, Roy Keane, Liam Brady and Johnny Giles.

[SwanVsDalton]

The top 4 should be (in no particular order): Paul McGrath, Roy Keane, Liam Brady and Johnny Giles.

I'd say a top five of those four and Robbie are locked in. Sixth a toss up between Given and Duff probably? After that, who knows.

Actually I'll go so far as to guess: 5) Robbie Keane 4) Roy Keane 3) Johnny Giles 2) Liam Brady 1) Paul McGrath

[Irish_Praha]

Interesting feature alright but there are too many glaring mistakes in their facts.

"One of the very few Irish players to have a Champions League medal, Steve Finnan was an integral part of the Liverpool side that lifted the title in 2007, playing 88 minutes of the final."

I thought they won it in 2005 and Finnan got substituted at half tme? He did however play 88 mins in the 2007 final.

Makes me wonder if I can believe anything they have written about the players from before the late 80's, as I'm too young to remember them.

[SwanVsDalton]

Makes me wonder if I can believe anything they have written about the players from before the late 80's, as I'm too young to remember them.

Jack Charlton actually founded the Republic of Ireland during an elongated fishing holiday in 1986 so there's not much extra to know.

[AlaskaFox]

Interesting feature alright but there are too many glaring mistakes in their facts.

"One of the very few Irish players to have a Champions League medal, Steve Finnan was an integral part of the Liverpool side that lifted the title in 2007, playing 88 minutes of the final."

I thought they won it in 2005 and Finnan got substituted at half tme? He did however play 88 mins in the 2007 final.

Makes me wonder if I can believe anything they have written about the players from before the late 80's, as I'm too young to remember them.

Easy mix-up that one. Any others?

[Fixer82]

McAteer scored in the Amsterdam Arena to give Ireland the lead in a game that ended 2-2

Robbie Keane scored the first goal in that game. Header

[EastTerracer]

The SoccerRepublic website did a similar series last year and the Top 10 selected by a panel of judges ended up as follows (SwanvDalton and TheFly are very close):

10. Ronnie Whelan Jr
9. Ray Houghton
8. Denis Irwin
7. Packie Bonner
6. Robbie Keane
5. John Giles
4. Shay Given
3. Liam Brady
2. Roy Keane
1. Paul McGrath

The full list was covered in a thread here http://foot.ie/threads/132843-Soccer-Republic-s-Top-50-Irish-Players-Vote?

[seanfhear]

I would say that McGrath was the best ever performer in an Irish jersey. Keane, Brady and Giles did great things as Irish players at club level and some very good stuff for Ireland but I believe that Paul McGrath was the best performer in the Irish jersey.

[Sullivinho]

Robbie Keane scored the first goal in that game. Header

The attractive, widely acclaimed style of football currently employed by clubs such as Barcelona and Arsenal is based entirely upon the moments leading up to Robert David Keane's goal versus the Netherlands in September 2000. [citation needed]

[paul_oshea]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ObXxJ6tfnk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm84YD0NH30

Damn i cant find the one i was looking for, anyway "paul mcgrath" in youtube is postfixed with "vs Italy". Mcgrath transcends sorta the whole football player/hero status for me, partly because of the kind of person he is away from it all, partly i suppose feel sorry for someone that offered so much to me as a youngster by getting me into watching ireland and all that, and partly because of all the troubles he had and yet managed to do so much when he put on the green jersey. He is, and always will be to me a true sporting irish legend. The story about the guy in his 60s who wouldn't press charges because he was his hero says it all really.

And that video features the saddest thing of all about McGrath, "when it was over i felt down"...

[Fixer82]

The fact also that McGrath was in constant pain with his knee joints literally rubbing off each other and produced those performances is nothing short of phenomenal.
Definitely number 1

[cornflakes]

Imagine the player McGrath could of been?
I'l never forget that match against Italy, my first taste of football. McGrath was my hero when I was a chap

[ArdeeBhoy]

Paul McGrath, end of.
Oh and some fella called G.Best....

[Fergie's Son]

Would have to say Keane. He did so much with a lot less. He was immense in 94 and we simp,y would not have qualified without him in 02.

[gastric]

When Ferguson let McGrath leave Utd he was convinced his career was over. I think Graham Taylor was manager at Villa and was astounded that McGrath could only train in 5 aside games due to his injuries. His performance on the field put paid to any scepticism he had and on many occasions it was McGrath alone who kept Villa in games. One game I vividly remember was when he played at right back against Scotland. The Scottish winger, Davey Cooper from Rangers I think, tried to run past McGrath right on the touchline. McGrath's face told a story as he put Cooper and ball into the fence - the look being one of how stupid to even try it. I might be showing my age, but McGrath was the greatest Irish player I have ever seen play

[AlaskaFox]

The SoccerRepublic website did a similar series last year and the Top 10 selected by a panel of judges ended up as follows (SwanvDalton and TheFly are very close):

10. Ronnie Whelan Jr
9. Ray Houghton
8. Denis Irwin
7. Packie Bonner
6. Robbie Keane
5. John Giles
4. Shay Given
3. Liam Brady
2. Roy Keane
1. Paul McGrath

The full list was covered in a thread here http://foot.ie/threads/132843-Soccer-Republic-s-Top-50-Irish-Players-Vote?

Be interesting to see how they compare.

[ifk101]

Is GreenScene not your website AlaskaFox?

[AlaskaFox]

Is GreenScene not your website AlaskaFox?

My cover has been blown...
http://blog.geeksaresexytech.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/batmans1.gif

Myself and carloz from here run it. I hope you guys think we're doing a good job.

[geysir]

You're doing a very good job with that site.
Never knew Carloz had it in him:)

[ifk101]

My cover has been blown...

Not to worry. I've blown Sean St Ledger's cover as well. :)


Myself and carloz from here run it. I hope you guys think we're doing a good job.

Of course. I echo Geysir's sentiments as well. At least now you don't need to refer to yourself as "they". :)

[geysir]

Caps must have hard to come by in the old days.
Shay Brennan gained only 19 caps, yet he was a Man U regular/stalwart for a decade.

[tetsujin1979]

Caps must have hard to come by in the old days.
Shay Brennan gained only 19 caps, yet he was a Man U regular/stalwart for a decade.
less games played then too

[Sullivinho]

Myself and carloz from here run it. I hope you guys think we're doing a good job.

You certainly are, well done. The recent 'McCarthy in quotes' piece was very good.

[AlaskaFox]

You're doing a very good job with that site.
Never knew Carloz had it in him:)


Not to worry. I've blown Sean St Ledger's cover as well. :)

Of course. I echo Geysir's sentiments as well. At least now you don't need to refer to yourself as "they". :)


You certainly are, well done. The recent 'McCarthy in quotes' piece was very good.

Thanks guys.

That McCarthy article got us another mention on Newstalk, so it was worth it.

[SkStu]

It can only be McGrath.

Untouchable.

[OwlsFan]

The SoccerRepublic website did a similar series last year and the Top 10 selected by a panel of judges ended up as follows (SwanvDalton and TheFly are very close):

10. Ronnie Whelan Jr
9. Ray Houghton
8. Denis Irwin
7. Packie Bonner
6. Robbie Keane
5. John Giles
4. Shay Given
3. Liam Brady
2. Roy Keane
1. Paul McGrath

The full list was covered in a thread here http://foot.ie/threads/132843-Soccer-Republic-s-Top-50-Irish-Players-Vote?

Hard to disagree with that list except I'd probably inter change Houghton and Bonner. There's also a difference between the "best Irish player ever" and the "best Irish international ever". Houghton was not the most talented player but he was one of, if not the, most effective Irish internationals of the Charlton era. Giles was the best passer of a ball. Ronnie Whelan, great player for Liverpool but no huge impact as an Irish international for a number of reasons. Roy Keane: immense presence on the pitch for both Ireland and Man U/Forest but his international legacy is flawed. Paul McGrath - a collossus.

Not on the list: Mark Lawrenson. Sheer class but not a huge international impact similar to Steve Heighway.

[The Fly]

My cover has been blown...
http://blog.geeksaresexytech.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/batmans1.gif

Myself and carloz from here run it. I hope you guys think we're doing a good job.

What's the Batman between Clooney's and Bale's from?

[AlaskaFox]

What's the Batman between Clooney's and Bale's from?

No idea, this didn't help either:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Batman_films_cast_members

[The Fly]

No idea, this didn't help either:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Batman_films_cast_members

From a computer game perhaps?

[paul_oshea]

Series?

[geysir]

I take it then that Alaska is Batman and Carloz is Robin?

[paul_oshea]

Hard to disagree with that list except I'd probably inter change Houghton and Bonner. There's also a difference between the "best Irish player ever" and the "best Irish international ever". Houghton was not the most talented player but he was one of, if not the, most effective Irish internationals of the Charlton era. Giles was the best passer of a ball. Ronnie Whelan, great player for Liverpool but no huge impact as an Irish international for a number of reasons. Roy Keane: immense presence on the pitch for both Ireland and Man U/Forest but his international legacy is flawed. Paul McGrath - a collossus.


YOu make a fair point there owlie with the distinction but the one that always stands out for me is houghton, I honestly think some are blinded by his earlier exploits. I grew up watching with my brother, and my earliest memory is the Christian Brothers(yes those god-fearing anti soccer fascist) letting us take half day and head to the assembly hall to watch ireland in the soccer(on an ancient tele, god i loved those days), and the first games i can really remember were around 89(possibly 88 late) and qualifying for WC 90. I digress slightly, but i came on the scene a bit later in houghtons playing days, and my brother would agree at the time even though he was a little older and remembers the heady days(and hazey) of Euro 88 etc, but houghton was one of the most frustrating players for me. I honestly thought that he was getting game time far too long for his previous exploits. Yes he had a few huge moments for ireland but I really think he was over-rated. I remember time and again especially 96 and 98 getting so frustrated and wondering how he was still getting in the team, it was a big bugbear with my brother and I for a good few years. I honestly think if you take out the few big moments and especially from 94(possibly 92) onwards he didn't do a great deal.

That said, I acknowledge he got some very important goals for us.

[AlaskaFox]

I take it then that Alaska is Batman and Carloz is Robin?

I'm Alfred and he's Jim Gordon.

[Fixer82]

YOu make a fair point there owlie with the distinction but the one that always stands out for me is houghton, I honestly think some are blinded by his earlier exploits. I grew up watching with my brother, and my earliest memory is the Christian Brothers(yes those god-fearing anti soccer fascist) letting us take half day and head to the assembly hall to watch ireland in the soccer(on an ancient tele, god i loved those days), and the first games i can really remember were around 89(possibly 88 late) and qualifying for WC 90. I digress slightly, but i came on the scene a bit later in houghtons playing days, and my brother would agree at the time even though he was a little older and remembers the heady days(and hazey) of Euro 88 etc, but houghton was one of the most frustrating players for me. I honestly thought that he was getting game time far too long for his previous exploits. Yes he had a few huge moments for ireland but I really think he was over-rated. I remember time and again especially 96 and 98 getting so frustrated and wondering how he was still getting in the team, it was a big bugbear with my brother and I for a good few years. I honestly think if you take out the few big moments and especially from 94(possibly 92) onwards he didn't do a great deal.

That said, I acknowledge he got some very important goals for us.

I thought he continued to perform after '92 certainly

Set up goal for John Sheridan V Spain in '93 that played as important a part in qualifying us for USA'94 as McLoughlin's V the North.

Scored against Belgium in play-off game. He was 37 at that stage. Never let Ireland down and continuously turned out his best performances in the big games.


EDIT: He was 35 when he scored V Belgium

[paul_oshea]

I felt that he did more frustrating things to make up for those things, and ya that goal against belgium was important too. Did mcloughlins not come down off a norn iron player and landed in front of him? Been a while since i looked at it.

But even so those 2 things(mcloughlins excluded - i could well be wrong!) are hardly enough, i just found him very frustrating to watch.

[Fixer82]

You could be right. Maybe i'm looking at him through rose-tinted glasses. Always remember him being energetic, nippy and a real pain for full backs.

The goal he set up was for Sheridan V Spain in Lansdowne Road when we were 3-0 down. Very important goal for us.
As important as the McLoughlin one is what i WAS SAYING

[EastTerracer]

Caps must have hard to come by in the old days.
Shay Brennan gained only 19 caps, yet he was a Man U regular/stalwart for a decade.

Brennan only made his debut for Ireland on the day before his 28th birthday so he was a late starter. He was the first to declare for us under the parentage rule and I remember Giles or Dunphy suggesting that it was only at that stage he realised he could play for us.

[Fixer82]

You could be right. Maybe i'm looking at him through rose-tinted glasses. Always remember him being energetic, nippy and a real pain for full backs.

The goal he set up was for Sheridan V Spain in Lansdowne Road when we were 3-0 down. Very important goal for us.
As important as the McLoughlin one is what i WAS SAYING

ha ha just read that back and realise it looks like I'm shouting at the end of the sentence like a 5 year old.

It was a caps lock error I assure you :pig:

[AlaskaFox]

Part Two: 50-41
http://greenscene.me/2011/03/best-irish-football-players-ever-50-41/

[OwlsFan]

Houghton was the human dynamo that made the team tick (if dynamos tick!). He would cover every blade of grass and while, like many, perhaps he went on a bit too long, he was in his heyday the fulcrum of the Charlton team and I am not even thinking of the unforgettable goals he scored.

[carloz]

When we were doing this poll the thing that jumped out at us was the number of excellent full backs we have had over the years

[OwlsFan]

Speaking of full backs, no sign of Stan in the top ten. Is his legacy tainted (teinted?) by his disasterous spell in charge? Was Dinny a better player than him? You tell me!

[carloz]

Speaking of full backs, no sign of Stan in the top ten. Is his legacy tainted (teinted?) by his disasterous spell in charge? Was Dinny a better player than him? You tell me!
we have only done 40-60 at the moment. Don't worry, Stan is high up

[geysir]

I was surprised with Mick Martin in there so high. I only remember his passes across midfield, intercepted with cruel outcomes.