Worst ever Ireland Player ?

[Plastic Paddy]

Well, at least where the poll is concerned, I refer you to my answer in post 45 above. :)

:ball: PP

[Donal81]

I agree.
The criteria for this discussion should be for someone who has approx 20 caps.
Fellas like ;
Chris Morris
Mick McCarthy
Mark Kennedy
Mick Martin
Paddy Mulligan
Eddie McGoldrick
Tommy Coyne
Alan Kernaghan
Gary Kelly (jimmy doyle)

What the hell was wrong with Tommy Coyne? Surely a legend of a man?

[ColinR]

had a look at the fai site, and of players who have 20 caps or over, the following would make it onto my list:

Lee Carsley
David Connolly
Jeff Kenna
Eamon Dunphy
Gary Doherty

(in fairness to the bottom 3, at least you were always sure they gave their all when the played for ireland- not sure about the first two - so between them, i would choose lee carsley as my worst player of all time (who has 20 caps or more!)

[stojkovic]

What the hell was wrong with Tommy Coyne? Surely a legend of a man?
What the hell was right about him ?
How many goals did he score ?

Dont get me wrong, he worked his ****** off the USA94 but what else ?

David Connolly
Lee Carsley

How could I forget those two imposters.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Originally Posted by stojkovic
I agree.
The criteria for this discussion should be for someone who has approx 20 caps.
Fellas like ;
Chris Morris
Mick McCarthy
Mark Kennedy
Mick Martin
Paddy Mulligan
Eddie McGoldrick
Tommy Coyne
Alan Kernaghan
Gary Kelly (jimmy doyle)

Will you ever put down the gluebag!

He'd one bad game for us. The guys been a near ever present in a Leeds team that qualified for Europe three times out of four since he broke into the team in 93.

Morris, McCarthy and Martin are better than given credit for too.

[fergalr]

...and scored the goal that killed off Lithuania the following september.

He had a bad game against Spain (but so did everyone else except John Sheridan) on "black Wednesday" (13.10.93) -a day we could've waltzed into the world cup if we'd just stayed upright.

Kernaghan was made take a disproportionate amount of blame for that defeat which was then compounded by another poor performance 5 weeks later in Belfast. At least he had the excuse that, at a time when the troubles were at their worst and life up there was extremely cheap to take, he had gob****es shouting his parents address at him. (I believe they live in Ballymena).
Agreed. History has been unkind to Kernaghan mainly because Dunphy slated him after the Spanish game - in my humble opinion it was the then past it Kevin Moran who was more at fault for that disasterous first half but Eamo would never slag off one of his pals.

[stojkovic]

Will you ever put down the gluebag!

He'd one bad game for us. The guys been a near ever present in a Leeds team that qualified for Europe three times out of four since he broke into the team in 93.

Morris, McCarthy and Martin are better than given credit for too.
Do you think that Gary Kelly fulfilled his potential for Ireland ?
I probably am being abit harsh though.

[Donal81]

What the hell was right about him ?
How many goals did he score ?

Dont get me wrong, he worked his ****** off the USA94 but what else ?

David Connolly
Lee Carsley

How could I forget those two imposters.

How many games did he play? He played great against the Italians, scored against the Dutch in Tilburg, scored in a few other games, didn't he?

[pineapple stu]

22 games, I think 9 goals? Scored on his debut v. Switzerland, I think.

[Donal81]

[QUOTE=stojkovic]What the hell was right about him ?
How many goals did he score ?

Dont get me wrong, he worked his ****** off the USA94 but what else ?
QUOTE]

According to the FAI, he scored 6 goals in 22 caps. That's not the worst record for a striker, surely? Sorry but I have fond memories of the chap scoring against the Dutch and holding things up against the Italians. He's one that really faded out of popular memory, when you think about it.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Do you think that Gary Kelly fulfilled his potential for Ireland ?
I probably am being a bit harsh though.

Beyond his having retired early (29 I think) I don't think there's much more he could've done. What he hasn't done which Howard Wilkinson predicted he would do is finish out his playing days as a center half. I dunno maybe Wilko thought he'd bulk up more as he got older but either way it's not happened. If he had done then maybe he'd have had something to offer us for a couple of more years -but he's stayed with a Championship side and we've got younger legs available playing Premiership football in his prefered position

[Stuttgart88]

With Finnan & Carr out, we could do with Gary Kelly this weekend.

[Bluebeard]

Carsley will be my vote for one of the weakest players ever to play in the Champions League, should Everton find themselves in the group stages next year - definitely would be top of my 20 caps or more muck list.

[dynamo kerry]

butlers debut v czech we attacked north terrace in the first half. I was in the east tce watching butler get bullied by the big tall czech lad while berger and nedved looked like they wished they were elsewhere.

butler wasn't awful but he wasn'gt up to it completely either. mahon was just out of his depth in a game where he should have shone at the time. mick never picked him again.

as for tommy coyne- the man's a legend. I'm sorry he didn't play for us more.

[stojkovic]

as for tommy coyne- the man's a legend. I'm sorry he didn't play for us more.
Ive nothing against Tommy Coyne, I just never took to him as I did others.
Can you enlighten me as to his qualities in an Irish jersey and I may change my mind.

[The Legend]

Chris Morris... worst player in soccer ever full stop!

Also, I would rank Staunton as crap despite all his caps...

[stojkovic]

Chris Morris... worst player in soccer ever full stop! Remember he got caught 'playing away'. Gardai got involved and everything. Muppet.


Also, I would rank Staunton as crap despite all his caps...Poor Stan was never the same after Orlando.

[Fergie's Son]

So Staunton's performance in WC 2002 wasn't worth noting :rolleyes:

I'll also have to defend Chris Morris here as well. Not the best fullback in the world but he was by no means the worst Irish player ever. He was an exceptionally tough tackler who rarely put a foot wrong. Not the best going forward but very stable in defense.

AS for Tommy Coyne, he came into a tough situation and performed admirably. Do remember that Quinn was a surprise ommission due to a horrific injury in what many consider the prime of his career.

Also, I'll defend McGoldrick all day for that game in Denmark alone.

[stojkovic]

AS for Tommy Coyne, he came into a tough situation and performed admirably. Do remember that Quinn was a surprise ommission due to a horrific injury in what many consider the prime of his career.
Twas no surprise.
He done his cruciate and was out for nine months.
We had known this for months before USA94 hence the reason why Tommy Coyne was brought back as Aldo was getting on a bit.

[Fergie's Son]

Twas no surprise.
He done his cruciate and was out for nine months.
We had known this for months before USA94 hence the reason why Tommy Coyne was brought back as Aldo was getting on a bit.

He only injured it in April though if memory serves. Coyne was never expected to start up until then. He did a great job regardless.

[Troy.McClure]

Ive seen Dominic Foley play for Bohs a few times since he's joined them and each and every time I thank God for us not buying him! He's one of the worst players Ive seen in the eL, not to mind international level!

[Poorly McGrorry]

Also, I'll defend McGoldrick all day for that game in Denmark alone.
It's also worth noting that McGoldrick scored in that ill-fated "friendly" match back in Feb 1995. Had it finished 1-0 I'm sure his International career would be a bit more fondly remembered! :D

[Slash/ED]

Wasn't that David Kelly?

[CollegeTillIDie]

Chris Morris... worst player in soccer ever full stop!

Also, I would rank Staunton as crap despite all his caps...

Was kept out of the Dundalk team by the legendary Martin Lawlor :)

[dr_peepee]

If Tommy Coyne had have been a lttle bitfaster he could've been a huge asset to us...

[Poorly McGrorry]

Wasn't that David Kelly?

Apologies for the bad memory - I think McGoldrick provided the cross for Kelly's goal. I do recall that he did play a part for the goal and I was shocked at the time that he could deliver such a cross!

Edit - thanks for the confirmation SBM!

[Colbert Report]

Quinn was lost on the first of December 1993, about two weeks after the 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland, when Alan McGloughlin came on as a sub and scored. Quinn had started every qualifier for us leading up to USA 1994 and the loss of him was what did us in from the start. Tommy Coyne was a replacement and did well with what he had, he was never good enough to play for us internationally in my opinion. Keep in mind our other strikers at the time were John Aldridge and Tony Cascarino, who were both getting up there and had lost a step.

Alan Kernaghan gets my vote, he was crap crap crap.

[Fergie's Son]

Agreed......pretty much think we're spot on with this one.

Actually it was John Sheridan who provided the vital through ball for Kelly to score. No cross was invovled. McGoldrick did, however, have a fine Irish career.

[stojkovic]

Actually it was John Sheridan who provided the vital through ball for Kelly to score. No cross was invovled. McGoldrick did, however, have a fine Irish career.
You are correct Fergie. I cant believe how poeple get these things so very very wrong. The media is full of it misquoting facts.

I recall Terry Phelan doing very well done the left, with abit of interchange with someone (Townsend?) it was passed inside and John Sheridan gave a through ball that Kaka would be proud of and David Kelly slotted it under the keeper.

Fact is, just checked the FAI website, McGoldrick NEVER scored for Ireland.

Just the facts ma'am, just the facts.

[Donal81]

Off on a bit of a tangent, I watched Charlton's Years for the first time in ages last night. I'm especially interested in the 1996 qualifying campaign, Charlton's last, since reading Niall Quinn's biography. That was by far the easiest group that we've ever had ever since I've been watching football (circa 1988) and we blew it most likely through too much alcohol and not enough players giving a sh!t. I suppose, the end of an era is rarely pretty.

[superfrank]

Has anyone mentioned Gary Doherty yet?

I'm too tired to search five pages for his name!! :rolleyes:

[OwlsFan]

Alan Kernaghan gets my vote, he was crap crap crap.

Were you in Copenhagen when Kernaghan played out of his skin to hold a very good Danish side 0-0 and I think Eddie McGoldrick was a full back also that day ? Far from "crap crap" he was. McGoldrick was also fouled by Nigel Worthington for the free kick that led to Alan McLoughlin's equaliser in Belfast - a day on which Kernaghan in particular was subject to foul abuse from the Norn Iron supporters. He mightn't have been a Paul McGrath or a Kevin Moran but he did ok most of the time.

[davey]

Without re-opening the same old can of worms;there's at least 1-2 contenders who'll be out on the park,Saturday. :o

And these are whom? I don't think any of our current team deserve to be on a list of worst players ever

[Lionel Ritchie]

Off on a bit of a tangent, I watched Charlton's Years for the first time in ages last night. I'm especially interested in the 1996 qualifying campaign, Charlton's last, since reading Niall Quinn's biography. That was by far the easiest group that we've ever had ever since I've been watching football (circa 1988) and we blew it most likely through too much alcohol and not enough players giving a sh!t. I suppose, the end of an era is rarely pretty.

If even half the reports of what went on during that campaign are true several of those involved should've finished their careers 20-odd caps short of their final tallies.

A bit of background first -we'd dropped two points in Dublin against a weak Northern Ireland in March -then seemed to get back on track with a credible 1-0 win over Portugal in April.

None of us could've known at that stage we'd just watched the last decent performance by a Jack Charlton team.

The team stayed in Limerick after they were disgraced by Liechtenstein (0-0 in Vaduz -Liechtenstein nearly nicked it late on actually).

I can't even write some of the things our players were up to while they were here because I'll be banned and the Admin could be sued (and may have to sue me) as I can't substantiate the allegations -other than to say they are made by Ireland supporters like myself who have no desire to see the players in trouble and only want to see the team do well and who just happened to bear witness to their carry on.

The stories are out there anyway -and whatever you've heard is probably true. They were a disgrace to themselves, their jerseys and their country while they were here.

With this "preparation" they went into the game against Austria in Dublin and got the s h i t kicked out of them 3-1 by an Austria team who were frankly fcuking useless. (The North stuck 5 past them the following autumn!!!)

The following september they went to vienna and managed to lose 3-1 again.

Our team staggered over the line into a the play offs when we could've ****ed the group at one stage. In fact we lost 3-0 in Portugal and only finished ahead of the North and Austria on goal difference.

The team the dutch massacred at Anfield in the play-off was pitiful.

The following summer during Euro 96 -which of course we hadn't qualified for and which probably represented our best chance in a generation of winning a trophy - I happened to meet the lass who became Mrs. Ritchie.

First time visiting her home town up in County Monaghan all I was hearing was stories of what these gobsh1tes were up to when they were supposed to be preparing for competetive international matches (for a long time the team base was the Nuremore Hotel outside Carrickmacross).

It'd be strong to say they were despised up that way but I'm not pushing the envelope at all in saying they weren't liked and were considered a fcuking nuisance about the place.

I'm pretty sure of this -it aint for the scenery that their kept out in the Airport hotel these days anyway.

[Conor H]

...DAVID CONOLLY !!!!! :eek:

[pineapple stu]

Our team staggered over the line into a the play offs when we could've ****ed the group at one stage. In fact we lost 3-0 in Portugal and only finished ahead of the North and Austria on goal difference.
Actually, we were one point ahead of Austria. NI were level on points with us but had a better goal difference - we actually only finished second on that silly head-to-head rule!

[Donal81]

Even more background, from one of the horses' mouths, Niall Quinn's biog:

"Ireland brought relief, as usual. We were at the end of an era and we behaved that way. Mick (McCarthy) had retired and Jack didn't have an in-house enforcer. He hadn't the will to bark at us and bollock us any more, either; or if he did, we hadn't the legs to respond. We were an old team and people had sussed our little bag of tricks.

Not long after I came back from Lisbon, we played two European Championship qualifying games. We were declining, but qualification was in our grasp. We drew with Liechtenstein on 3 June 1995. I remember the day for being the last I saw of Jack's wrath. I played badly and my only excuse was that I wasn't alone. We were to play Austria eight days later.

We came back from Liechtenstein and headed to Limerick where Jack was basing the team as a thank you for having been given an honorary degree by the local university...Jack allowed us free rein for a while in Limerick. We were allowed out the first couple of nights. Then Jack headed off up country on one of his famous earners, and to watch Northern Ireland play. The trouble with the team at that stage was that it wasn't just two or three sneaking out for a drink, it was most of us.

One day after training, I realised how lax some of us had become. Our drinking was so bad that even I couldn't take any more and I decided that I'd better go for a game of golf or I'd be in the pub all day again. I came back and had a shower and went around the hotel but I couldn't get a four ball together. Everyone was gone. So I said sod that for a good intention, took a taxi to the Henry Cecil pub at three in the afternoon and got sharp words for being late.

People knock that trip but we were like that for years to some extent or other. We always got by and mostly we felt it bonded us like a club team. Against Austria we weren't too bad for eighty minutes; we just ran out of juice in the last ten...By two in the afternoon, we're showered, lunched, changed and milling around the lobby dressed like we're heading for a nightclub, which we will be eventually. We're waiting on a fleet of taxis when John Charlton (Jack's son, helped with the team) comes down and makes a half-hearted attempt to keep us sane.

'Look lads,' he pleads, 'try not to have more than six points.' There's a big cheer and off we tear...Was it professional? No. Do I regret it? Not really."

I really liked Quinn when he played for us and his book is great. This is the one part of it where the whole culture of the team really annoyed me. To explain away three-day drinking benders as just bonding exercises when you've got people paying money into Lansdowne to watch you play is b0ll0cks, frankly.

[Fergie's Son]

Good grief. Some great posts by Lionel and others.

I remember that match against Austria. I watch all the games I don't attend with my ornery Grandad in Raheny. Around 60 minutes into the match he said Ireland looked very tired and were losing it in the midfield (he reffed league of Ireland for years). Then Polsten (sp) popped up and put two past us. He was 47 years old at the time and had a pony tail (Polsten that is, not the old lad). He might have been 43 but he still had a pony tail.

Regardless, those stories really tick me off.

As for the England match in '95, Sheidan also had a little shimmy to get away from his man before slotting the ball to Kelly. John Sheridan was class and was a highly underrated player...as was McGoldrick!!!

[Slash/ED]

Was it professional? No. Do I regret it? Not really."


Jesus christ :rolleyes:

[zinedineontour]

...DAVID CONOLLY !!!!! :eek:

yeah started thread of mentioning connolly glad someone agrees ...

[dunne12]

Austin Hayes

[Dotsy]

Off on a bit of a tangent, I watched Charlton's Years for the first time in ages last night. I'm especially interested in the 1996 qualifying campaign, Charlton's last, since reading Niall Quinn's biography. That was by far the easiest group that we've ever had ever since I've been watching football (circa 1988) and we blew it most likely through too much alcohol and not enough players giving a sh!t. I suppose, the end of an era is rarely pretty.

Couldn't agree more. I lived in Riga for 3 years around that time and went to all Latvia's home matches for that campaign. They were pretty poor at that time. I remember seeing them beat Austria 3:2 in between Ireland's two defeats to Austria and I just couldn't fathom how we lost 3:1 in Dublin (and went on to loose 3:1 in Austria).