Best 11 since 1980

[Shedender81]

Based on preformances in an Irish Jersey ONLY !!!!!!


1. Shay Given
2. Denis Irwin
3. Ronnie Whelan (Had to include him just ahead of Chris Hughton)
4. Mark Lawerenson
5. Paul McGrath
6. Roy Keane Capt
7. Liam Brady
8. Ray Houghton
9. Robbie Keane
10. Frank Stapleton
11. Damien Duff

Subs
12. Kevin Sheedy
13. Niall Quinn
14. Andy Townsend
15. Kevin Moran

Very Hard to pick an 11 ... the 11 that played v Scotland in 1987 was the best Irish 11 to take the field

1. Bonner
2. McGrath
3. Whelan
4. Moran
5. McCarthy
6. Houghton
7. Brady
8. Lawerenson
9 .Aldo
10. Stapleton
11 . Galvin

[youngirish]

I'd have:
Given

Irwin McGrath Lawrenson Staunton

Houghton Brady Roy Keane (Capt) Duff

Stapleton Robbie Keane

[gustavo]

Given
Kelly McCarthy McGrath Irwin
Houghton Keane Brady Duff
Keane Aldridge

[Speakthetruth]

Being 25, I feel I havent had enough exposure to the talents of Brady, Lawro etc. so I'll venture my 11 on players i have seen a fair bit.

1. Given,
2. Finnan,
3.Irwin,
4.McGrath,
5.Dunne,
6.Keane,(c)
7.Houghton,
8.McGeady (pure raw talent)
9.Quinn,
10.Keane,
11.Duff.

[livehead1]

Chris Hughton anyone?

[Sam_Heggy]

1. Given
2. Irwin
3. McGrath
4. McCarthy
5. Stan/Finnan - (prob Stan just shades it)
6. Keane
7. Brady
8. Whealan
9. Aldo
10. Stapelton
11. Houghtan

Jeez, hard shout, some quality players to choose from.
Kevin Moran, Robbie Keane, Damian Duff, Packie Bonner, Niall Quinn, Johnny Giles, Chris Hughton, Lawro, Townsend etc.
Oh and Phil Babb, Kevin Kilbane, John O'Shea - oh sorry April fools is over isn't it :p

[Block G Raptor]

Bonner
Irwin McGrath Cunningham Finnan
Duff Whelan Keane Brady
Aldridge Keane(pre-2004)

subs
Stapleton
Houghton
Hughton
Dunne
Quinn
I've gone with Whelan over Houghton coz I think Ronnie was the more technically gifted of the 2

[ifk101]

I'd have:
Given

Irwin McGrath Lawrenson Staunton

Houghton Brady Roy Keane (Capt) Duff

Stapleton Robbie Keane

That's pretty much what I'd pick as well except for Kevin Moran ahead of Lawrenson.

[Morbo]

Given
Irwin McGrath McCarthy Stan
Whelan Keane Brady Duff
Quinn Keane

[Morbo]

Given

Finnan
McGrath
Staunton
Harte

Houghton
Roy Keane (captain)
Brady
Duff

Quinn
Robbie Keane

Subs: Bonner, Dunne, Irwin, Andy Reid, Doyle

Harte lol, thats an April fools, right?

[dublinred]

Why does everyone have mcgrath in defence when he played most of his games in holding midfiled?

[Speakthetruth]

Given

Finnan
McGrath
Staunton
Harte

Houghton
Roy Keane (captain)
Brady
Duff

Quinn
Robbie Keane

Subs: Bonner, Dunne, Irwin, Andy Reid, Doyle

Surely Harte shouldnt be near the squad, Irwin could actually run and defend, neither of which harte could/can do plus Dennis could smack a free-kick and penalty (who can forget the one against wolves when he hit the ball so hard his standing leg went about 5 foot in the air too). Bottom Line, Irwin is a must!

[Block G Raptor]

Why does everyone have mcgrath in defence when he played most of his games in holding midfiled?

Well it's enough of a conundrum trying to decide between Keane, Whelan, Houghton, Duff and Brady in the midfield at least McGrath could do a job in center of defence

[gustavo]

Why does everyone have mcgrath in defence when he played most of his games in holding midfiled?

For me it was because had Brady and Keane and McGrath been around in the same era McGrath would have been in central defence , its not like he was a total donkey there :)

[gola11]

1 Given
2 Irwin
3 Hughton
4 McGrath
5 Lawerenson
6 Keane
7 Whelan(c)
8 Houghtan
9 Stapleton
10 Keane
11 Brady

12 Bonner
13 Finnan
14 Moran
15 Sheedy
16 Aldridge
17 Quinn

[Guidedbyvoices]

Given

Finnan
McGrath
Staunton
Harte

Houghton
Roy Keane (captain)
Brady
Duff

Quinn
Robbie Keane

Subs: Bonner, Dunne, Irwin, Andy Reid, Doyle


Goodness me.How can you have Ian Harte in here? For a man who has never heard of Dave Langan , how can you include Brady when its quite obvious you have never seen him play due to you being so young and all?

[Supreme feet]

1. Given
2. Irwin
3. Hughton
4. McGrath
5. Moran
6. Roy Keane
7. Brady
8. Whelan
9. Quinn
10. Robbie Keane
11. Duff

[BradyIsMyHero]

If it's performance based ,the best ever performance I witnessed by an Irish team was the game against Soviet Union in Hanover in 1988. For the record, the team was:

Packie Bonner
Chris Morris
Mick McCarthy
Kevin Moran
Chris Hughton
Ray Houghton
Kevin Sheedy
Ronnie Whelan
Tony Galvin
Frank Stapleton
John Aldridge

[rod1]

For me, in terms of performances for Ireland, and not just on their club reputations
Given
Irwin McGrath Moran Hughton
Houghton Keane Townsend Sheedy
Keane, Stapleton

I accept that perhaps that Brady, Lawrenson and Duff in terms of pure skill level are superior to Townsend, Moran and Sheedy, but I think the others were more effective players for Ireland.

[Kingdom]

Hope someone can answer this for me. Was Ronnie Whelan consistently thatgood for Ireland. I was lead to believe that he wasn't, and that he wasn't exemplary in his attendence either.

[BigmanCas]

The Best

Given
Finnan
Irwin
Mc Grath
Dunne
Duff
Brady
Keane Roy
Mc Geady
Keane Robbie
Quinn

The Worst

Bonner
Morris
Harte
Kernaghan (c)
Babb
Mc Goldrick
Miller
Healy
Douglas
Connolly
Morrisson

[Superhoops]

The Best

Given
Finnan
Irwin
Mc Grath
Dunne
Duff
Brady
Keane Roy
Mc Geady
Keane Robbie
Quinn


You are taking the pi*s surely :eek: He's just about fit to clean the boots of the other 10.

[BigmanCas]

you have to throw in one controversial selection. watch this space superhoops!!!

[Razors left peg]

you have to throw in one controversial selection. watch this space superhoops!!!

Hes gonna be in there in a few years I think Cas but cant have him in that team yet ahead of Houghton

[BradyIsMyHero]

Greatest ever team (4 -4 -2)

Breen

Breen Breen Breen Breen

Breen Breen Breen Breen

Breen Breen

Manager: Breen

[Shedender81]

Being 25, I feel I havent had enough exposure to the talents of Brady, Lawro etc. so I'll venture my 11 on players i have seen a fair bit.

1. Given,
2. Finnan,
3.Irwin,
4.McGrath,
5.Dunne,
6.Keane,(c)
7.Houghton,
8.McGeady (pure raw talent)
9.Quinn,
10.Keane,
11.Duff.




8.McGeady (pure raw talent) ARE YOU SERIOUS.... !!!! BEST 11 this guy has yet to perform in ANY game for Ireland of importance

[Shedender81]

Hope someone can answer this for me. Was Ronnie Whelan consistently thatgood for Ireland. I was lead to believe that he wasn't, and that he wasn't exemplary in his attendence either.

Well Ronnie was the Roy Keane of his day... Didn't always do friendlies ..... However in the early 80s he never performed for Ireland as he did for Liverpool... but once Big Jack came in... From 87-90 he was TOP Class ... was wonderful in the Euros and in the WCup Qual games for 90... he was still in the squad in 94 ....

His pass along the deck v NIRE in 1989 was sublime ..... In fairness to Whelan in 88/89 89/90 he was the player that made a top class Liverpool side tick...and was class for Ireland ...

[Shedender81]

Why does everyone have mcgrath in defence when he played most of his games in holding midfiled?

YOU EVERY SEE PAUL PLAY AT THE BACK MATE... OR BETTER STILL EVERY SEE LIAM BRADY OWN A FOOTBALL FOR 90 MINS

[NeilMcD]

Given

Finnan
McGrath
Moran
Irwin


Houghton
Keane
Whelan
Brady

Keane
Stapleton

Subs
Bonner
Lawrenson
Aldridge
Duff
Hughton

[Pike B]

Mc Geady my arse...

1 Given
2 Irwin
3 Staunton
4 Mc Grath
5 Dunne
6 Keane
7 Houghton
8 Whelan
9 Aldo
10 Keane, Robbie
11 Duff

[Greenforever]

Given
Irwin
Staunton
Dunne
Moran
Wheelan
Mcgrath
Keane
Brady
Keane
Quinn

Didn't McGrath play some off his best games in Midfield

We've been over blessed with left sided players, so I'd play Wheelan on the right

And as regard was Ronnie really that good - the answer is YES, and Irish to the core,

[gustavo]

and Irish to the core,
This is the best Irish team we are picking so being Irish shouldnt be a determining factor really

[gspain]

Hope someone can answer this for me. Was Ronnie Whelan consistently thatgood for Ireland. I was lead to believe that he wasn't, and that he wasn't exemplary in his attendence either.

Top class quality player. He did go missing for friendlies though as many did at the time.

[BigmanCas]

Greatest ever team (4 -4 -2)

Breen

Breen Breen Breen Breen

Breen Breen Breen Breen

Breen Breen

Manager: Breen
Are you one of those guys that sings 'we all dream of a team of Gary Breens' at away games. If you are can you please stop!!!! It is not only embarrassing but sad! I hate it - lets sing real songs.

[NeilMcD]

Its a great song as its funny and ironic. Have a sense of humour for fck sake. I suppose you do have a good sense of humour as you have McGeady in your greatest team of the last 20 years. And before you attack me like you have others here. I like McGeady but lets be real here, he is nowhere near the best 11 of the last 20 years.

[Shedender81]

In fairness..... You can never fool kids

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykp9m_zG6K8


We all indeed dream of a team of Gary Breens

[Kingdom]

Top class quality player. He did go missing for friendlies though as many did at the time.

Thanks Gary.

[Dr. Ogba]

Given
Finnan / Staunton
McGrath
Moran (to be replaced by Dunne in a few years)
Irwin
Houghton
Keane
Brady
Duff
Keane
Quinn / Stapleton

[antrimgreen]

Being 25, I feel I havent had enough exposure to the talents of Brady, Lawro etc. so I'll venture my 11 on players i have seen a fair bit.

1. Given,
2. Finnan,
3.Irwin,
4.McGrath,
5.Dunne,
6.Keane,(c)
7.Houghton,
8.McGeady (pure raw talent)
9.Quinn,
10.Keane,
11.Duff.


Raw talent better of with raw mince or something. Done nothing in a green shirt!

[Hibs4Ever]

Given


Irwin - McCarthy - McGrath - Staunton


Houghton - Keane - Townsend - Duff/Sheedy (Sorry can't decide between them)


Aldridge - Keane




SUBS:
Bonner
Finnan
Cunningham
Brady
Whelan
Quinn

[antrimgreen]

Haven't seen Johny Giles name mentioned once, was he not an amazing player for Ireland? Geniune question, it's just my Da used to bang on about how good he was.

[jmurphyc]

Haven't seen Johny Giles name mentioned once, was he not an amazing player for Ireland? Geniune question, it's just my Da used to bang on about how good he was.

The thread is best 11 since 1980.

[antrimgreen]

The thread is best 11 since 1980.


Sorry about that. D'oh. Cheers jmurphyc.

[Shedender81]

Haven't seen Johny Giles name mentioned once, was he not an amazing player for Ireland? Geniune question, it's just my Da used to bang on about how good he was.

Giles packed up by 1980... But Yes it was the Best...... I would Giles / Keane / Brady / McGrath / Carey / Cantwell

[NeilMcD]

All played for Man Utd bar Brady

[Bluebeard]

Most of the players mentioned in the main thread are fairly self evident - Brady, Stapo, McGrath, etc. Most of them are fairly glamourous too, after a fashion. How about a best XI who never played for the bigger clubs (Liverpool, Man U, Arsenal, Celtic, Rangers:D), or clubs who were bigger at the time they were there (Leeds, Blackburn, Chelsea, Everton, etc.)

With this in mind, and perfectly destroyable, here is my Alternative Ireland, sponsored by Ryana!r, the No Frills Airline, to play against the Unalternative Best Irish XI from 1980.

GK Dean Kiely

RB Chris Hughton (were Spurs really ever big since 1980?)
LB Terry Phelan
CB Richard Dunne
CB Kenny Cunningham

RM Mark Kelly (was he left or right footed - if left, keep Galvin at left and I'll take Killer instead)
LM Tony Galvin (See under Chris Hughton)
CM John Sheridan
CM Gary Waddock

FW David Kelly
FW John Budgie Byrne

[Shedender81]

Most of the players mentioned in the main thread are fairly self evident - Brady, Stapo, McGrath, etc. Most of them are fairly glamourous too, after a fashion. How about a best XI who never played for the bigger clubs (Liverpool, Man U, Arsenal, Celtic, Rangers:D), or clubs who were bigger at the time they were there (Leeds, Blackburn, Chelsea, Everton, etc.)

With this in mind, and perfectly destroyable, here is my Alternative Ireland, sponsored by Ryana!r, the No Frills Airline, to play against the Unalternative Best Irish XI from 1980.

GK Dean Kiely

RB Chris Hughton (were Spurs really ever big since 1980?)
LB Terry Phelan
CB Richard Dunne
CB Kenny Cunningham

RM Mark Kelly (was he left or right footed - if left, keep Galvin at left and I'll take Killer instead)
LM Tony Galvin (See under Chris Hughton)
CM John Sheridan
CM Gary Waddock

FW David Kelly
FW John Budgie Byrne

Do Liverpool since 1990 count as a big club

[Drumcondra 69er]

Do Liverpool since 1990 count as a big club

Given that they've won numerous FA Cups, League Cups, the UEFA cup and the Champions League I'd think so. :rolleyes:

[Seagull-4-life]

I'm only 17 so I'll give my team based on what I've seen.

Given
Finnan Dunne McGrath Irwin
Duff Keane A.Reid (Can't think of anyone else???) Staunton
Keane Quinn

[magic moments]

Here goes:

Given


Irwin lawrenson Mc grath Ronnie whelan

R.houghton brady R.keane t.galvin


Stapelton R.keane