Worst Irish 11 since 1980

[Shedender81]

Guys... for a giggle , can we pick our worst team since 1980...


1 . Packie Bonner ( anyone in Rome , Poznan or Orlando will back me up )
2 . Curtis Fleming Sorry man
3 . Ian Harte Slow lazy and caught out
4 . Andy O'Brien For Retiring the bloody cheek
5 . Phil Babb One game dont make a career
6 . Stephen Reid .... Done Nothing in Green
7 . Jason MacAtter ( Apart from Holland at home and away in 2000/2001 what else did he do)
8 . Garreth Farrelly No comment required
9 . Jon Goodman Yes he did
10. Mickey Evens And Mad Mick did indeed pick this player
11. Eddie McGoldrick hahah

[bholg]

stephen reid....?

eh - no.

[Shedender81]

Stephen Reid... Tell one game where the chap has preformed in an Irish jersey.... I seem to remember Kerr having to take him off... He has been poor for Ireland... since 2002... 6 years .. what has he done..... NOTHING IN GREEN

[Lionel Ritchie]

:o

Can I suggest to the mods a new rule concerning commenting on players who's names one can't spell?

Discretionary wavers can be issued when discussing the Greek, Cypriot, Georgian national teams etc... but a steel clad fist should be brought down on anyone who sees fit to comment without checking the spelling of the name of a player who's worn our shirt.

[eirebhoy]

Reid has started 10 Ireland games in his career.

02.09.2006 at 20:45 European Cup Qualifier A Germany 0 - 1
16.08.2006 at 19:30 Friendly H Holland 0 - 4
24.05.2006 at 19:30 Friendly H Chile 0 - 1
01.03.2006 at 19:45 Friendly H Sweden 3 - 0
17.08.2005 at 19:30 Friendly H Italy 1 - 2
28.04.2004 at 20:00 Friendly A Poland 0 - 0
18.11.2003 at 00:00 Friendly H Canada 3 - 0
12.02.2003 at 00:00 Friendly A Scotland 2 - 0
13.02.2002 at 19:30 Friendly H Russia 2 - 0
15.08.2001 at 00:00 Friendly H Croatia 2 - 2

http://www.soccerscene.ie/sssenior/player.php?id=22

I can't remember most of them but the Swedish game he was excellent.

[geysir]

:o
Can I suggest to the mods a new rule concerning commenting on players who's names one can't spell?
I´m sure the real Mr.Richie would approve also of those sentiments :D

[Lionel Ritchie]

I´m sure the real Mr.Richie would approve also of those sentiments :D

I assure you the Ritchie bit of my moniker has nothing to do with the chap who played the thigh rubbing, middle aged, lecturer pervert who oggled the fit blind student coz she couldn't catch him doing so ...it is fact a respectful sideways nod to one Vom Ritchie, one of my drumming heroes, formerly of Doctor & The Medics and now playing with Die Toten Hosen.
:cool:

[Shedender81]

Reid has started 10 Ireland games in his career.

02.09.2006 at 20:45 European Cup Qualifier A Germany 0 - 1
16.08.2006 at 19:30 Friendly H Holland 0 - 4
24.05.2006 at 19:30 Friendly H Chile 0 - 1
01.03.2006 at 19:45 Friendly H Sweden 3 - 0
17.08.2005 at 19:30 Friendly H Italy 1 - 2
28.04.2004 at 20:00 Friendly A Poland 0 - 0
18.11.2003 at 00:00 Friendly H Canada 3 - 0
12.02.2003 at 00:00 Friendly A Scotland 2 - 0
13.02.2002 at 19:30 Friendly H Russia 2 - 0
15.08.2001 at 00:00 Friendly H Croatia 2 - 2

http://www.soccerscene.ie/sssenior/player.php?id=22

I can't remember most of them but the Swedish game he was excellent.

So in SIX years hes played in one meaningful game..... lets be honest friendly games have no real worth at all...

[amaccann]

S. Reid has had rotten luck with injuries and being low in the midfield pecking order. He can't be slated as "worst" anything considering he hasn't had the chance to consistently play in a green shirt (unlike a lot of the other choices above).

[Hibs4Ever]

McGoldrick wasn't a bad player


McAteer was a very good player IMO

[gustavo]

Bonner certainly sshouldnt be in there only if you are counting players that were regulars for us over a significant basis in time

[NeilMcD]

Did Andy Turner ever play. I know Mark Kelly did. Goodman, Farrelly, Evans, O Brien, Lapira and Glen Crowe should be there.

[Bluebeard]

Did I miss a meeting?

A worst Ireland XI since 80 that contains
Bonner, Reid, McAteer all ahead of

Kelham O'Hanlon?
Paul Butler?
Liam Daish?
John O'Shea?
Alan Kernaghan?
Jonathan Douglas?
Keith O'Neill?
Dom Foley?
Joe Lapira?

I'm not saying that these are the worst to play for Ireland in that period, rather that surely these have been worse for Ireland than many of the players our esteemed colleague suggests.

In truth, I must say, I did giggle reading the first post.

Any no-one can deny Jon Goodman or publishing magnate Phil Babb the place they fought so hard for.

[youngirish]

Bonner certainly sshouldnt be in there only if you are counting players that were regulars for us over a significant basis in time

Surely even then Alan Kelly would be in there instead of Bonner. He was pure sh*te. Bonner I thought was a very good keeper for us despite the odd mistake. In Euro 88 he was possibly our outstanding player.

[amaccann]

My last memory of Babb was a late subs appearance at Landsdowne road, during some friendly (if I recall). He was full of beans & within five minutes of coming on had found himself in the opposition box & took a shot at goal. He managed to slice it horribly, sending the ball into row Z. The sarcastic jeer from the crowd was ... pointed :D

[Wolfie]

My last memory of Babb was a late subs appearance at Landsdowne road, during some friendly (if I recall). He was full of beans & within five minutes of coming on had found himself in the opposition box & took a shot at goal. He managed to slice it horribly, sending the ball into row Z. The sarcastic jeer from the crowd was ... pointed :D

Yes - against Scotland if memory serves.

A tragi-comic moment that served as a warm up to his Russia away howler.

[geysir]

Bonner is our most overrated player, he was not a great goalkeeper.

[Superhoops]

Bonner is our most overrated player, he was not a great goalkeeper.

Tell that to the England team and fans that were in Stuttgart in 1988.

[Theskinloyal]

Yeah Bonner wasn't very good but by no means the worse of the last 28 years. I'd say Kelly was worse, Paddy Kenny anyone?

How could you forget Paul Butler? Has to be the one of the worst performances in recent memory against the Czechs.

Eddie McGoldrick what a catastrophe he was!

[Wolfie]

Bonner is our most overrated player, he was not a great goalkeeper.

I think he was possibly over-rated but not deserving of being consigned to the worst 11.

I can recall a crucial save he made in a qualifier against Hungary at home in 89. We were 1 nil up (McGrath) but had to hold on to the win to remain in a commanding position to qualify for Italia 90.

Hungary had a free kick in the 2nd half about 30 yards out. They played it short to their star man (Datorri?) who drilled the ball for the far corner. It was a dead cert goal until Bonner instinctively flung himself across the goal and turned the ball onto the post. A crucial save.

We nicked a second about 10 minutes later through Cascarino.

[Shedender81]

I am being a tad harsh on Packie , However... the game in Poland we were 3-1 and if we had have won that game we would have made Euro 92 ... and we had a very strong team at that time.

By 94 he was finished , but Jack never gave Kelly the chance.. one the back pass rule changed poor ould Packie was done for.


I will stand over Jason Mc... In 50 games he played well how many times....he debit colum far outweights the credit ... Also at 2002 he advised Mark Kennedy to lie to his great mate Mick...

Some players are in for being bad over a long period and getting bloody away with it. In fairness to Paddy Kenny is has been bad over a short period , If he gets back in.. I am sure he can make the No 1 spot his own in the worst ever line up..

and one final point... I think we can say its no brainer that Stan would manage this team with Ian Evens as No 2 and Mick Byrne waving at the fans / carrying the magic water

[eirebhoy]

So in SIX years hes played in one meaningful game..... lets be honest friendly games have no real worth at all...
We might as well add in Maradona so. He didn't even play in one meaningful game for Ireland!

[Shedender81]

Dont be silly... but Reid is a hoofer... he was a bloody disgrace in germany

[Wangball]

I'd rather have a fit Steven Reid ahead of Carsely or Douglas or Miller or Kilbane (in CM role)....he's no hoofer, injuries permitting he'll finally get the chance to prove this in the upcoming friendly games

[Scram]

stephen reid....?

eh - no.

Grip required by OP.

Agree Reid, rubbish that he is listed on fantasy bad 11, eh Ian Harte, eh no. And not Andy O Brien either and Packie WHY???? McAteer...NOT ETC., ETC. !!!!

David Connolly, eh yeah.

Actually, the OP idea of rubbish should go down as the worst rubbish !

[gspain]

Packie was arguably our best ever goalkeeper (I'd pick Shay given but it is close). David O'Leary cost us the game in Poznan btw not Packie.

Stephen Reid has had bad luck with injuries but is also a decent player.

Phil Babb was also a decent defender but things went wrong. Jason Mcateer was one of our better players

If you are going to pick a team like this and I don't agree with it then the obvious choice are some one cap wonders like Joe Lapira. ron Healy played in goal at Wembley in 1980. Paul Butler and his 45 minutes v the Czechs

[Wolfie]

7 . Jason MacAtter ( Apart from Holland at home and away in 2000/2001 what else did he do)


Trigger had his moments.

I recall a great finish to a sweeping move in a qualifier against Macedonia at home (1996?).

A cameo appearance against Italy (nutmeg included) for the last 20 minutes in USA 1994. Gave Italy something to think about as they pressed for an equaliser.

Set up Aldo's goal against Mexico in USA 94 by virtue of a run down the line and pin-point cross.

[youngirish]

Can't believe that John O'Shea has only been mentioned once in the two pages of this thread, a man that has been a constant presence in the Irish team for more than 5 years now without ever putting in one decent solitary performance IMO. Often anonymous, frequently rubbish. The enigma that is JOS.

Hope his days as a regular starter for Ireland are brought to an end quickly under Trappatoni. Pure unadulterated sh*te.

[bholg]

Grip required by OP.

Agree Reid, rubbish that he is listed on fantasy bad 11, eh Ian Harte, eh no. And not Andy O Brien either and Packie WHY???? McAteer...NOT ETC., ETC. !!!!

David Connolly, eh yeah.

Actually, the OP idea of rubbish should go down as the worst rubbish !

Agreed.. SR was for me simply the immediately outstanding selection in this bizarre conception......

[geysir]

I think he was possibly over-rated but not deserving of being consigned to the worst 11.
No he isn't the worst. Just very overrated.
He had his prime time and lived on it.
He was the best available for a very long time.

[Supreme feet]

1. Keith Branagan
2. Curtis Fleming
3. Peter Murphy
4. Phil Babb
5. Paul Butler
6. Barry Quinn
7. Davey Savage
8. Gareth Farrelly
9. Mickey Evans
10. Joe Lapira
11. Keith O'Neill*

Don't be silly regarding Steven Reid. He hasn't had a chance to do anything for us. He has never started a competitive game for us in his natural position. You may as well say that John Anderson, Garry Waddock and Jim Beglin were crap, because their international careers were limited by serious injuries. No one can say how good they could have been. Lets not forget that John Sheridan, Kenny Cunningham, Matt Holland, Alan McLoughlin and John Aldridge did not become respected or even regular internationals until relatively late in their careers. Reid is good enough to become very important for us - how many other central midfielders do we have playing consistently at his level?

*Whoops, I realise I've contradicted myself by including Keith O'Neill. I'll change it to Alan O'Brien.

[bogwarrior]

his debit colum far outweights the credit ...


I wont be going to you for accounting advice anyway!!:D

[tetsujin1979]

I think we're being a little unfair on Lapira, he got the opportunity that anyone of us would gladly give a limb for, and took it with both hands.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, there was a whole lot more wrong with those 2 games in the States than giving him a cap.

[jbyrne]

Pure unadulterated sh*te.

a bit like this thread. never read such rubbish in my life. bonner, oshea and mcateer in our 11 worst players since 1980? are things so slow in the Irish football world that such tat gets an airing? :confused:

[Shedender81]

a bit like this thread. never read such rubbish in my life. bonner, oshea and mcateer in our 11 worst players since 1980? are things so slow in the Irish football world that such tat gets an airing? :confused:

Come on ... Jason McAteer.... 50 caps.... really was it any good... one goal did bugger all else...

[Shedender81]

Trigger had his moments.

I recall a great finish to a sweeping move in a qualifier against Macedonia at home (1996?).

A cameo appearance against Italy (nutmeg included) for the last 20 minutes in USA 1994. Gave Italy something to think about as they pressed for an equaliser.

Set up Aldo's goal against Mexico in USA 94 by virtue of a run down the line and pin-point cross.

Says a lot about Trigger that in 50 games you can only remember 3 things... and two were in his first 3 or 4 games !!

I also remember Macedonia and him kicking a player in the chest and getting a RED card. I would say of all the 50 caps players that we have had he is the without doubt the WORST !!!

[Bluebeard]

1. Keith Branagan
2. Curtis Fleming
3. Peter Murphy
4. Phil Babb
5. Paul Butler
6. Barry Quinn
7. Davey Savage
8. Gareth Farrelly
9. Mickey Evans
10. Joe Lapira
11. Keith O'Neill*

Good selection - when did Peter Murphy get his cap - I had completely forgotten it happening*

*EDIT: D'oh - that would have been during the Summer then, wouldn't it


*Whoops, I realise I've contradicted myself by including Keith O'Neill. I'll change it to Alan O'Brien.

No, you must be thinking of Andy O'Brien, and he never played wing for the national team. Everyone knows that Alan O'Brien is a sprinter not a footballer...

[Sniffer]

Came on especially to ensure that Paul Butler got an honorary mention at the very least - well done fellow forumers.:)

[jmurphyc]

Says a lot about Trigger that in 50 games you can only remember 3 things... and two were in his first 3 or 4 games !!

I also remember Macedonia and him kicking a player in the chest and getting a RED card. I would say of all the 50 caps players that we have had he is the without doubt the WORST !!!

For a lot of Ireland players it's difficult to remember a plethora of incidents during their Ireland career. Why should a (solitary?) red card make you one of the worst players in an Ireland shirt?

[Seagull-4-life]

bonner shouldn't even be mentioned in this and neither should mcateer or o'shea...think i'd have mcshane in there ahead of those three

gary doherty anyone???

[Bluebeard]

gary doherty anyone???

Same as with Alan O'Brien - we're talking about people who have played for Ireland. My memories of GD in an Ireland shirt are mostly of him wandering onto the field looking for a stray puppy that had escaped his clutches while watching the match from the stands.

[Seagull-4-life]

he was a cult hero but that was lads just taking the mick...centre half/striker what a lad...couldn't play in either though

[Wangball]

I'm not sure there should be any currently available players in anyones team, quite frankly I'd be willing to forget John O'Shea's many many deficincies if he were to stick the winner in against Italy in the upcoming qualifiers...point is how can you judge a players international career when its nowhere near over?!

[Seagull-4-life]

I'm not sure there should be any currently available players in anyones team, quite frankly I'd be willing to forget John O'Shea's many many deficincies if he were to stick the winner in against Italy in the upcoming qualifiers...point is how can you judge a players international career when its nowhere near over?!

I'd say Paul McShane's nearly is over

[jmurphyc]

I'd say Paul McShane's nearly is over

A 21 (?) year old centre half's Ireland career is nearly over? Dunne wasn't exactly setting the world alight when he was that age and now he's one of the best in Europe IMO.

[Wangball]

McShane has a long career ahead of him, maybe not as an automatic starter but he'll be a feature of our squad for quite some time and again his performances against San Marino et al will be soon forgotten if he turns out a few more as good as his debut

[Morbo]

Having Bonner, Reid and McAteer on that list is a joke, Bonner is probably our 2nd best keeper of the last 25 years, Reid has been unlucky with injuries but even if you just judge him by the 10 games he has played then he is hardly in the worst 11, as for McAteer, he had some poor games but he also had some very good games and he came up big for Ireland in some crucial matches and we wouldn't have qualified for WC2002 without him.

For me Conolley is by far the worst Irish player to have achieved 40+ capps, he never once scored a goal against a good team in a game that mattered

[Seagull-4-life]

Having Bonner, Reid and McAteer on that list is a joke, Bonner is probably our 2nd best keeper of the last 25 years, Reid has been unlucky with injuries but even if you just judge him by the 10 games he has played then he is hardly in the worst 11, as for McAteer, he had some poor games but he also had some very good games and he came up big for Ireland in some crucial matches and we wouldn't have qualified for WC2002 without him.

For me Conolley is by far the worst Irish player to have achieved 40+ capps, he never once scored a goal against a good team in a game that mattered

agree...didn't mean mcshane would never play again like but i doubt he'll be 1st choice possibly ever again...not even making it onto the bench at sundireland at the mo

[Seagull-4-life]

Paddy Kenny is a good goalkeeper...definitely been worse players than him in the last few years mate sorry

[jmurphyc]

agree...didn't mean mcshane would never play again like but i doubt he'll be 1st choice possibly ever again...not even making it onto the bench at sundireland at the mo

He's a player that Ferguson wanted to keep. That, to me, suggests he has potential. Whilst he hasn't had a great season for Sunderland this season, he has done okay for us so far, and in 5-6 years he could be a quality defender. Being a centre back in the premiership at the age of 21 is not easy, especially when you're playing for a struggling team. Anyway, it's not like we're awash with quality at the back.

Anyway, I'm surprised McGeady hasn't had a mention yet. For me he has to be the wo....just kidding. I wouldn't want to open that can of worms. :p