Worst Irish international you have seen play [Archive]

Noelys Guitar

30/07/2007, 12:42 AM

I will kick this off with Eamon O Keefe. Followed closely by Mike Walsh. O'keefe stated he would play anywhere for Ireland before the England friendly in 1985. Liam Brady's retort was "how about the car park".

ofjames

30/07/2007, 9:17 AM

paul butler vs czech republic must be up there.

Stuttgart88

30/07/2007, 9:56 AM

Based on single performances, I've never seen worse than Finnan and O'Brien in Cyprus last year.

Worst player? Tough one.

Wolfie

30/07/2007, 9:57 AM

Butlers nightmare does last in the memory, sure enough.

Phil Babb was consistently terrible once Paul McGrath was no longer there to bail him out.

I remember every time he went near the ball the crowd ironically cheered him in the Ireland v Scotland friendly (2000?).

Chris Morris crossing used to test the crowds patience as well.

endabob1

30/07/2007, 9:59 AM

Pierce O'Leary

DeNiro

30/07/2007, 10:17 AM

Mickey Evans. Two games I think he played under McCarthy. Shocking.

shelbourne1904

30/07/2007, 10:54 AM

paul butler vs czech republic must be up there.

I always wondered about this.Subsequent performances showed he was at least a dogged championship performer and captained Wolves and Leeds.The day he played for Ireland he faced that giant 7 foot tall centrefoward and an abosolute gale blowing at him.I think it was one nill at half time with his man scoring.He didnt come out for the second half which I always felt McCarthy(a player not unlike himself) was a bit unfair to him as he had got through the hard part and was entitled to a bit of an easier test in the second half with the hurricane on his side!!

bwagner

30/07/2007, 11:47 AM

Shel i agree mate ,Mick was a bit too harsh with him
That was actually my 1st time in Lansdowne...Babb nearly scored a cracker with an overhead that smashed the post

Risteard

30/07/2007, 12:21 PM

John O'Shea consistently, Ian Harte often.

jaykay

30/07/2007, 1:18 PM

John O'Shea consistently, Ian Harte often.

Yeah its hard to decide who out of O'Shea and Harte have been worse. I suppose Harte did score a good few for us. The Paul Butler shocker probably takes the biscuit for me though.

Theskinloyal

30/07/2007, 1:30 PM

EDDIE MCGOLDRICK!!!!!!!

Honourable mentions to: Mickey Evans, Paul Butler, Dave Savage, Dominic Foley (despite his scoring ratio), and Phil Babb

Lifetime achievement award: Ian Harte (despite his scoring ratio)

geysir

30/07/2007, 1:37 PM

stiofain

30/07/2007, 2:01 PM

I vividly remember being over on my summer hols a few years back and reading an article in one of the Sunday papers on why Lee Carsley was the worst player to ever represent Ireland. The guy who wrote the piece didnt hold back. Does anyone else remember it?

I'd love to have seen his face last year when after the Cyprus game, Carsley suddenly became the first name on the teamsheet.

dr_peepee

30/07/2007, 2:59 PM

Mickey Evans. Two games I think he played under McCarthy. Shocking.

Did Micky Evans ever get capped at senior level?...

Torn-Ado

30/07/2007, 3:03 PM

John O Shea.

Torn-Ado

30/07/2007, 3:04 PM

The Legend

30/07/2007, 4:01 PM

Chris Morris crossing used to test the crowds patience as well.

when I saw this thread... "Chris Morris trying to go forward was in my head!"

shelbourne1904

30/07/2007, 4:03 PM

"The guy who wrote the piece didnt hold back. Does anyone else remember it?"

Dont waste time and energy trying to remember the name of a paper scratcher

Wolfie

30/07/2007, 4:10 PM

when I saw this thread... "Chris Morris trying to go forward was in my head!"

His Irish bit on the side said he was good in the box.

stiofain

30/07/2007, 4:33 PM

"The guy who wrote the piece didnt hold back. Does anyone else remember it?"

Dont waste time and energy trying to remember the name of a paper scratcher

I was just hoping someone else would remember it so i know i didnt dream it up!

Torn-Ado

30/07/2007, 4:51 PM

I was just hoping someone else would remember it so i know i didnt dream it up!

I think it was Roy Curtis.

:)

Bottle of Tonic

30/07/2007, 5:07 PM

[QUOTE=Theskinloyal;735622]EDDIE MCGOLDRICK!!!!!!!

About a year ago I saw Eddie playing a charity game in Sixfields, Northampton with a crowd of lower league journeymen as part of an 'All Star XI' against a selection of local amatuers. He was the classiest performer on the park by a tidy margin!

dr_peepee

30/07/2007, 5:17 PM

I vividly remember him giving Denis Irwin an awful time at on Arsenal-Man Utd game....

Paddy Garcia

30/07/2007, 8:28 PM

He was excellent against N Ireland when we qualified, we may not have done so without him that night. Not sure this qualifies him for this award!!!!!!

Fergie's Son

30/07/2007, 8:46 PM

Chris Morris crossing used to test the crowds patience as well.

True but he was a solid player defensively. Not great but rarely made mistakes.

Fergie's Son

30/07/2007, 8:48 PM

EDDIE MCGOLDRICK!!!!!!!

Based on which game exactly? McGoldrick actually played some good games for Ireland including an excellet game against Denmark in Copenhagen where he was the only player to actually run at them and keep the ball. An underrated player for Ireland.

Paddy Garcia

30/07/2007, 8:48 PM

If it is defined by who is left at home then it would have to be Morris in Italy 90, with Irwin at home watching on his sofa! At least he gave 100%.

In recent years it's Kavanagh.

Paddy Garcia

30/07/2007, 8:49 PM

Based on which game exactly? McGoldrick actually played some good games for Ireland including an excellet game against Denmark in Copenhagen where he was the only player to actually run at them and keep the ball. An underrated player for Ireland.

O yeah & that game too. Actually don't think I can recall him playing poorly for us.

Fergie's Son

30/07/2007, 8:54 PM

O yeah & that game too. Actually don't think I can recall him playing poorly for us.

He didn't as far as I remember. Seriously, not a bad player for us at all. It's lazy to say he was ****e when the facts show that he wasn't.

Irwin was playing for Oldham in 1990 I believe and probably wasn't there yet. Morris was getting his game for Celtic and didn't hurt us in Italy. Always gave 100% and was very proud to be considered Irish.

Noelys Guitar

30/07/2007, 11:21 PM

At least Butler had a credible club career.

Noel Cambell in the 70's
He played with Fortuna Koln, some starts, some as a sub, for a season, I think they got walloped in every game he played.
Just one of those images from Dalymount that are indelibly printed on the brain, Cambell balooning the ball from midfield, fearless but useless.
He came on as a sub in the "Battle of Sofia" and got sent off the next minute.

Poor Gussie. The Friday after "Battle of Sofia" I saw Noel waiting for a 54A on the Kimmage road wearing huge dark glasses to hide the shiners. Totally down to earth guy but he did have habit of hitting the ball more towards Des kellys than the goal.

Superhoops

31/07/2007, 12:14 AM

Did Micky Evans ever get capped at senior level?...

Once I think! October 1997 v Romania in 1-1 draw? came on as sub?

Louth4sam

31/07/2007, 8:49 AM

Kevin Kilbane, worst Irish international ever. How he has ammased over 70 caps ill never know. Cant play football

citizenerased

31/07/2007, 9:30 AM

for me it has be Paul Butler,

Dr. Ogba

31/07/2007, 10:28 AM

I'd agree on McGoldrick....actually thought he was quite a handy left-sided player in an era when we struggled in that position post-Sheedy (Staunton at left-wing anyone??)...I think he's a victim of being the fashionable player to slag from the terraces in the same way as Kernaghan/O'Shea/Kilbane and even Carsley...Just goes to show that most "fans" won't bother to form opinions for themselves...

as_i_say

31/07/2007, 10:38 AM

Kevin Kilbane, worst Irish international ever. How he has ammased over 70 caps ill never know. Cant play football

Don't watch many Ireland games do you? Kilbane rarely lets the team down and has made telling contributions in many of those 70 caps including some vital performances in this campaign already.

Worst Irish international? pull the other one.

eirebhoy

31/07/2007, 11:07 AM

Kilbane was absolutely terrible until Kerr took over imo. He was just constantly low in confidence. Anyway, he deservedly won player of the year a few years ago so I don't think he could be classed as the worst ever Irish international.

DeNiro

31/07/2007, 11:24 AM

Once I think! October 1997 v Romania in 1-1 draw? came on as sub?

Spot on Superhoops. Was sitting in the East Stand looking at the imposter that day. I think he played a few B games thereafter, maybe didn't get the 2nd cap. John Goodman also had a stint in our front line around that time. Some of the clowns we let play for us!

Stuttgart88

31/07/2007, 11:30 AM

John Goodman also had a stint in our front line around that time. Some of the clowns we let play for us!He came on away to Macedonia (3-2 game) i think. Look at the pipeline of young forwards now , plus the incumbents, and compare it to our options back then when we really were clutching at straws.

Sniffer

31/07/2007, 11:53 AM

I haven't waded through the three pages so apologies if he's already had an honorary mention; but Paul Butler's 45 minutes in an Ireland shirt were torture.

Wolfie

31/07/2007, 12:13 PM

Don't watch many Ireland games do you? Kilbane rarely lets the team down and has made telling contributions in many of those 70 caps including some vital performances in this campaign already.

Worst Irish international? pull the other one.

Butler is being singled out for a worst specific performance (me included in singling him out).

What contributes to this is the fact that he only got one chance.

If you cast the mind back, Kilbane had an equally nightmarish debut against Iceland away. He was replaced at half time having made zero impact.

I wouldn't class him as the worst Irish International - but by Kilbanes own admission later - based on that first performance, he felt he'd totally blown his chance to ever play again.

Thought his performance, alongside Keane, against France away was his best.

Supreme feet

31/07/2007, 12:25 PM

I respect Kilbane for the caps he's amassed and the effort he's consistently shown... But I do regret the fact that Damien Duff was always shoved out of position to accomodate him - and that his many appearances in central midfield kept Steven Reid from settling in that position. Reid is our best central midfielder (when fit) and it's a travesty that, at 26, he's never played a competitive game in the position.

The only game Kilbane hasn't started for us in the last few years was the 3-0 win over Sweden, when Duff and Reid both played brilliantly in their proper positions. Kilbane doesn't deserve derision or contempt, but I think his continued presence in midfield is holding back the team. He can't pass the ball or read the game. He should be dropped. Enough is enough.

as_i_say

31/07/2007, 12:57 PM

I agree with a lot of what you say there about Kilbane but it appears Duff's great days are well behind him and Steven Reid is crocked so you cant really blame him for that.

I would still have Duff ahead of him on the left (when fit) but its the same old story-who is better in center mid than him at the moment? Andy Reid is constantly injured and gets pushed off the ball very easily. Kavangh is gone, Holland is gone, Carlsely hasnt done much since he came back-remember how negative he was against san marino away?

In this campaign Kilbane has scored against the czechs, vital away goal against SM when we never looked like scoring, and also put in 2 pin point crosses for 2 goals against SM at home. Cant comment on Germany or Cyprus, didnt see them at all as i was on d'other side of the world.

So who should be CM for our next qualifiyer?

OwlsFan

31/07/2007, 1:06 PM

Since he died from cancer at the age of only 28, I am loathe to mention Austin Hayes (the one cap wonder).

The worst other performance I saw was by another member of the wild geese whose name eludes me. Played in a friendly as a forward last year I think and made no effort whatsoever. His only cap. Is it Jonathon Macken?

Supreme feet

31/07/2007, 1:08 PM

I think Carsley and Steven Reid would be okay. They're not exactly Gattuso and Pirlo, but they would give energy and aggression, and I think they would use the ball and control the game a lot better than Kilbane.

Long term? If Glenn Whelan and Darren Potter can improve and start playing at a higher level, they could be solid options a l� Holland/Kinsella a few years back. I have very high hopes for Darron Gibson and Owen Garvan.

geysir

31/07/2007, 1:44 PM

A half a cap in a friendly shouldn't count towards this crowded hall of fame. otherwise the hall would be overflowing with credible one cap nominations. Those caps were given more in a miraculous hope than merit.

Ashley Grimes came close to consideration, but a stout hearted indiv. performance from him in a draw away to France saves his bacon.

Our Goalkeeper's have for the most part been good but what about Paddy Roche? remembered fondly by Man U's rivals even after 30 years.
First cap was in the worst ever perf by an Irish team losing 1-6 to Austria. He missed everything and saved nothing.
Can't remember any bad mistakes after that.

Dr. Ogba

31/07/2007, 2:21 PM

talking of goalkeepers....Wayne Henderson/Nick Colgan???

Stuttgart88

31/07/2007, 2:22 PM

Not fair on Henderson. Ron Healy springs to mind though.

geysir

31/07/2007, 2:59 PM

He doesn't spring to my mind, blanked out old bad memory syndrome maybe?

Wolfie

31/07/2007, 3:21 PM

He doesn't spring to my mind, blanked out old bad memory syndrome maybe?

Was he a keeper?. The ability to spring is a definite plus for a keeper......

Stuttgart88

31/07/2007, 3:25 PM

Wasn't he the bloke who Kevin Keegan chipped in the early 80s? We lost 2-0 at Wembley.

I think it was a real case of having absolutely no back up at all so they called up Cardiff's keeper to sit on the bench and then Kearns, McDonagh or Bonner or whoever was playing went off injured [Edit: actually it was Gerry Peyton]. God, my memory is going now too but thank God for patmac.

http://www.soccerscene.ie/sssenior/matchdetails.php?id=179