If You Could Transport One Ex-International To The Modern Team Who Would It Be?

[OwlsFan]

houghton

Exactly. The most underated but most influential player of the Charlton era. Never had a bad game for Ireland, scored some vital goals and used to cover every blade of grass and was ALWAYS available to play unlike someone being touted by many.

[Wolfie]

............ was ALWAYS available to play unlike someone being touted by many.

............even a few days after Hillsborough to his eternal credit.

Made himself available for the home game against Spain and was involved in the lead up to the goal.

Not knocking Aldo here either. He was deeply affected by the tragedy and was in no state to play.

[RivaldoBabb]

I'd go with Denis Irwin, we've been struggling to find a left full for a long time, and he's one of the best that ever played in the Premiership

And we havent been struggling to find a replacement for Keane in central midfield, which is the most important position on the field?!

The answer is Keane ... by a country mile then followed by Eddie McGoldrick.

[lionelhutz]

Stephen Ireland

[gustavo]

And we havent been struggling to find a replacement for Keane in central midfield, which is the most important position on the field?!

The answer is Keane ... by a country mile then followed by Eddie McGoldrick.

The alternatives to Keane that we currently have are better overall than any alternative that we have to Irwin at the moment

[tetsujin1979]

And we havent been struggling to find a replacement for Keane in central midfield, which is the most important position on the field?!

The answer is Keane ... by a country mile then followed by Eddie McGoldrick.
I didn't say we haven't struggled to replace Keane, but so have Man United (Kleberson, Djemba-Djemba, Miller etc) and they have far more resources than we ever will. Right now I think with fit pairing of Steven and Andy Reid, central midfield is about as strong as it has been since Keane retired. We haven't had a decent left full since Irwin retired, despite all attempts to shoe horn O'Shea or Kilbane in there.

[jbyrne]

Right now I think with fit pairing of Steven and Andy Reid, central midfield is about as strong as it has been since Keane retired.

what is this based on? has he even started for us there in one game? if we are depending on him for ctre mid we are in desperate trouble. his cameos at wc 2002 were great but nothing since i'm afraid

[lionelhutz]

what is this based on? has he even started for us there in one game? if we are depending on him for ctre mid we are in desperate trouble. his cameos at wc 2002 were great but nothing since i'm afraid

He's played consistently well there for a very strong Blackburn side for the past three seasons when he hasn't been injured.

And the fact that Mark Hughes obviously rates him very highly is an excellent endorsement too

[macdermesser]

David Connolly and Ian Harte .. going on the recent acitivity here in the Ireland section. Oh wait they're current internationals .. sorry

[tetsujin1979]

what is this based on? has he even started for us there in one game? if we are depending on him for ctre mid we are in desperate trouble. his cameos at wc 2002 were great but nothing since i'm afraid
Fair enough, but he's still who'd I'd pick at central midfield, assuming he's fit and available. Even if he isn't there's still Carsley, McPhail, Doyle, Garvan, Potter, O'Toole, Kavanagh, Miller, Joey O'Brien, Cregg, etc all available to step in. O'Shea, Delaney, O'Halloran and Kilbane (in that order) are realistically our only options at left full, and I consider it our weakest position.

[youngirish]

Keane for me by a distance. Followed by Paul McGrath. Anyone who suggests Irwin obviously never watched him play for Ireland. He was solid but never spectacular and wouldn't drastically improve our team as a whole in the same way a Keane or McGrath would. He also played most of his games for Ireland at right back and not left back as many on here seem to be suggesting.

As for Brady while undoubtedly one of the most talented players we ever had he was not a patch on Keane at the top of his game in an Ireland jersey. Keane was one of the few Ireland players that could almost singlehandedly win a game by himself.

[shakermaker1982]

Keane followed closely by McGrath. I pray somebody comes along shortly with that kind of ability.

[SunderlandBohs]

Paul Butler anyone?!

[Bluebeard]

Terry Phelan

[OwlsFan]

Keane was one of the few Ireland players that could almost singlehandedly win a game by himself.

9 goals in 66 games. Wouldn't win too many games by himself :rolleyes:

[youngirish]

9 goals in 66 games. Wouldn't win too many games by himself :rolleyes:

Yeah sorry about that. On second thoughts it would have to be David Connolly. He's a far more important player for us than Keane and any of the others mentioned previously because he has a better goals to game ratio :rolleyes:.

[pineapple stu]

And Dominic Foley got 2 from 5!

[youngirish]

And Dominic Foley got 2 from 5!

Did he win those two games on his own? If so it should be him then.

[Morbo]

Yeah sorry about that. On second thoughts it would have to be David Connolly. He's a far more important player for us than Keane and any of the others mentioned previously because he has a better goals to game ratio :rolleyes:.
Your sarcasm doesn't change the fact that he didn't singlehandedly win too many games for us, obviously he was a far better player than Connolly but we never won any games where Keane was the only one who performed, others played their part too but its typical of many to dismiss everyone else and give all the credit to Keane

[jbyrne]

Your sarcasm doesn't change the fact that he didn't singlehandedly win too many games for us, obviously he was a far better player than Connolly but we never won any games where Keane was the only one who performed, others played their part too but its typical of many to dismiss everyone else and give all the credit to Keane

cyprus 0 Ireland 4. who else performed in that game other than Keane?

[macdermesser]

I would argue that he lost us two points in Israel in 2006 with his negative play. Kerr got blamed but it was Keane on the pitch who was pointing backwards.

Bit harsh though ..

didn't score in the dutch game, but it was him dragging us towards that famous win. didn't score in the giants stadium but he was immense (obviously people rightly remember Mc Grath's performance). Or in Seville in the 0-0 against Spain (1993ish) .. when Maradonna became a fan after watching his performance.

I think his performance in the portugal game at home in 2001 was the one that stood out though .. we should have been 3-0 down with some comedy defending at the back .. and a shot off one of the posts .. but Keane dragged us back into it as most as of you can remember.

[youngirish]

Your sarcasm doesn't change the fact that he didn't singlehandedly win too many games for us, obviously he was a far better player than Connolly but we never won any games where Keane was the only one who performed, others played their part too but its typical of many to dismiss everyone else and give all the credit to Keane

Wrong his influence on the pitch in many of the games he played was often the difference between picking 3 points up instead of 1 or 1 point up instead of 0. Some of those games have been mentioned already I also thought he was immense against the Dutch both home and away in the 2002 campaign. There are many more through the years.

[Morbo]

Wrong his influence on the pitch in many of the games he played was often the difference between picking 3 points up instead of 1 or 1 point up instead of 0. Some of those games have been mentioned already I also thought he was immense against the Dutch both home and away in the 2002 campaign. There are many more through the years.

When did I say that we would have won those games without him? Would we have won the game against the Dutch without him? probably not but we probably wouldn't have won it if McAteer hadn't played either or Given, Finnan etc, he played a key part but to say he singlehandedly won it for us isn't accurate

[OwlsFan]

Exactly. McAteer scored in both games against Holland. Did he therefore "singlehandly" got us to Korea/Japan ? The fact that one player is better than the others doesn't mean he is THE team. It takes others to perform (eg. Given) as well.

[pineapple stu]

You're the one who brought goalscoring into it!!

[youngirish]

You're the one who brought goalscoring into it!!

Amen to that.

[youngirish]

When did I say that we would have won those games without him? Would we have won the game against the Dutch without him? probably not but we probably wouldn't have won it if McAteer hadn't played either or Given, Finnan etc, he played a key part but to say he singlehandedly won it for us isn't accurate

I said almost singlehandedly which is a fair assessment imo.

[Drumcondra 69er]

How can it be anyone other than Roy Keane? We have O'Shea and Dunne now, both quality centre halves, so that rules out McGrath.



Almost spat my drink over the keyboard when I saw that, I assume you must be joking?!

Anyway, the obvious choice is Ashley Grimes.....

[Drumcondra 69er]

I would argue that he lost us two points in Israel in 2006 with his negative play. Kerr got blamed but it was Keane on the pitch who was pointing backwards.

Bit harsh though ..

didn't score in the dutch game, but it was him dragging us towards that famous win. didn't score in the giants stadium but he was immense (obviously people rightly remember Mc Grath's performance). Or in Seville in the 0-0 against Spain (1993ish) .. when Maradonna became a fan after watching his performance.

I think his performance in the portugal game at home in 2001 was the one that stood out though .. we should have been 3-0 down with some comedy defending at the back .. and a shot off one of the posts .. but Keane dragged us back into it as most as of you can remember.


Think you're confusing that with the Dutch game as regards the ball coming back off the post.

That said I was at a wedding the day of the Portugal game and didn't even get to see the first half so it may have happened that day as well. Keane was immense against Portugal as well mind you, just think the Benny Hill defending was against Holland.

[macdermesser]

Think you're confusing that with the Dutch game as regards the ball coming back off the post.

That said I was at a wedding the day of the Portugal game and didn't even get to see the first half so it may have happened that day as well. Keane was immense against Portugal as well mind you, just think the Benny Hill defending was against Holland.

cheers .. will pull out the dvd tonight.. I remember Stan and a Dunne being an untried pairing at the back against portugal and they were all over the place for the first 25 minutes. might have been the dutch game though. or both!! and keane popping up everywhere and basically playing everywhere bar goalkeeper and then scoring .. and then running towards the crowd with the lad in the wheelchair going mad. brilliant. someone didn't pick figo up at the corner though for the equaliser.

[Drumcondra 69er]

cheers .. will pull out the dvd tonight.. I remember Stan and a Dunne being an untried pairing at the back against portugal and they were all over the place for the first 25 minutes. might have been the dutch game though. or both!! and keane popping up everywhere and basically playing everywhere bar goalkeeper and then scoring .. and then running towards the crowd with the lad in the wheelchair going mad. brilliant. someone didn't pick figo up at the corner though for the equaliser.

Remember that lad in the wheelchair alright, classic shot, he was nearly lifting himself out of the chair the height he was bouncing, it was brilliant! Think that was after McAteer's goal though. Must check the road to japan video alright! :D

[SkStu]

comparing him to Keane, i personally think that McGrath won us just as many games with his majestic defending, sublime technique and masterful reading of the game. Anyone who remembers the qualifying campaigns for 90 and 94 and his performances at USA 94 should agree with those sentiments. I think McGraths influence on our results is grossly underestimated by many on this messageboard. Also, bearing in mind that he was amazing for us in midfield too under Jack.

Keane is not far off but in terms of what the Ireland team needs today, a defender like McGrath is needed more than a midfielder like Keane, in my opinion.

[seanfhear]

comparing him to Keane, i personally think that McGrath won us just as many games with his majestic defending, sublime technique and masterful reading of the game. Anyone who remembers the qualifying campaigns for 90 and 94 and his performances at USA 94 should agree with those sentiments. I think McGraths influence on our results is grossly underestimated by many on this messageboard. Also, bearing in mind that he was amazing for us in midfield too under Jack.

Keane is not far off but in terms of what the Ireland team needs today, a defender like McGrath is needed more than a midfielder like Keane, in my opinion.
spot on

[jbyrne]

Think you're confusing that with the Dutch game as regards the ball coming back off the post.

That said I was at a wedding the day of the Portugal game and didn't even get to see the first half so it may have happened that day as well. Keane was immense against Portugal as well mind you, just think the Benny Hill defending was against Holland.

think it was rui costa who hit the post with a cracker. he ran riot that day for the first 45mins

[Drumcondra 69er]

think it was rui costa who hit the post with a cracker. he ran riot that day for the first 45mins

May well have, thought the original poster was talking about the mix up at the back between Staunton (?) and Given where the ball went past them both and trickled towards the goal before rolling into the post and back to Given. Most comical piece of defending the whole campaign that one!

* Open to correction of whether it was Staunton or Dunne....

[tetsujin1979]

May well have, thought the original poster was talking about the mix up at the back between Staunton (?) and Given where the ball went past them both and trickled towards the goal before rolling into the post and back to Given. Most comical piece of defending the whole campaign that one!

* Open to correction of whether it was Staunton or Dunne....
definitely Staunton, Given came out to claim the ball, and Staunton headed it past him! Van Nistelrooy fell over Given, and claimed for a penalty.

[elroy]

Has to be Keane, games against Portugal, Holland and Cyprus were some of the best ever individual performances in an Irish jersey. Its exactly the area of the field where we are lacking most at the moment too.

[niallsparky]

1. Glen Crowe
2. Jason Byrne
3. Roy Keane
4. Paul McGrath
5. Denis Irwin

[John83]

definitely Staunton, Given came out to claim the ball, and Staunton headed it past him! Van Nistelrooy fell over Given, and claimed for a penalty.
I though Harte cleared that one off the line.

[redobit]

Paul McGrath - when he was off the beer.
Would have liked to seen Liam Brady play, was a little too young.

[Drumcondra 69er]

I though Harte cleared that one off the line.

Think that may have been another incident, it was pure keystone cops stuff the first 25 minutes of that game!

Funny the way a lot of people point to Keane's tackle on Overmars in the fiirst minute as setting the tone for that game. Pure myth, the Dutch destroyed us for the guts of half an hour after that and Overmars himself tormented Kelly. RK could easilly have been booked for it and been on a tightrope the rest of the game, it was a Vinnie Jones esque tackle. Don't get me wrong, Keane was magnificent that day but the early tackle was insignificant, it was the way he turned the game around that made it a memorable performance.

It'd be McGrath for me, could cover in both midfield and centre half, total legend and the best player I've seen perform for Ireland and I include Brady during the 80's in that. Only caught the tail end of Giles' appearances so discounting him.

[pineapple stu]

I though Harte cleared that one off the line.
Nope. It trickled towards the line about as quickly as Aberdonian Stu would have been running after it, had he been out there.

[Wolfie]

Nope. It trickled towards the line about as quickly as Aberdonian Stu would have been running after it, had he been out there.

We were blessed to get away with that one.

The Sporting Gods were redressing the balance from Wim Kiefts header in 88.

Gary Kelly had a nightmare that game. I wasn't that upset when he got sent off. He was a liability!!

[tetsujin1979]

We were blessed to get away with that one.

The Sporting Gods were redressing the balance from Wim Kiefts header in 88.

Gary Kelly had a nightmare that game. I wasn't that upset when he got sent off. He was a liability!!
Kelly was sent off and Finnan came on for Robbie Keane, leaving Duff up front on his own. Later that same game Finnan crossed for McAteer, and the rest is history.

[OwlsFan]

Yes, best day at home by a mile. I remember going home singing "My momma always told me there'd be days like this". Revenge at last over the Dutch.

[Wolfie]

Yes, best day at home by a mile. I remember going home singing "My momma always told me there'd be days like this". Revenge at last over the Dutch.


I think, if anything, we've grown to appreciate it more as time has gone on.

Our home game against Spain in 1993 was set up as the day we'd qualify for the 94 World Cup. There was more than a hint of confidence that we could beat Spain that day. The rumour was that there were fireworks at the ready, in the stadium, should we qualify.

3 nil down after 20 minutes. Both the team and the crowd were shell-shocked. The day took on a nightmarish unreality to it.

As the fair weather support walked out, I'll never forget my Da (a man well used to crushing disappointment while following Ireland) calling the deserters a "shower of B*st*ard*!! - where's the support?".

John Sheridan's goal appeared little more than a consolation in relation to that specific game. It proved far more important.

[minty]

definitely roy keane...he would be the perfect midfield general for this current squad who seem to have plenty of ability but really lack a midfield leader

[seanfhear]

niall quinn like it or not a big man is useful especially as a sub if you need a goal late in a game.There were a few countries this summer that could have done with a big man when they needed a late goal.

[tricky_colour]

Got to be Roy Keane, if only for his influence on other players.
Would we have we lost 5-2 to cyprus with Keane in the team? I doubt it.
Plus central midfiled is somewhere where we could do with a true world
class player and he would be able to cover for weaknesses elsewhere.