Most loved present Irish player

As some of you might know, I’m involved with the FAI shop. I was looking at the norm with most clubs /countries are to have jerseys with the most popular player names & numbers. Two problems, one, the republic don’t use squad numbers outside of the team being in The Euro/World cup finals. The present team seems to lack any member who is exclusively loved & admired. I’m thinking Paul McGrath, Ray Houghton etc. Is that a fair comment? While Robbie Keane might be our captain & most successful goal scorer, he seems to bring out the Irish begrudgery in a lot of people. Is it linked to their squads in the premiership?

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Originally Posted by Ringo

As some of you might know, I’m involved with the FAI shop. I was looking at the norm with most clubs /countries are to have jerseys with the most popular player names & numbers. Two problems, one, the republic don’t use squad numbers outside of the team being in The Euro/World cup finals. The present team seems to lack any member who is exclusively loved & admired. I’m thinking Paul McGrath, Ray Houghton etc. Is that a fair comment? While Robbie Keane might be our captain & most successful goal scorer, he seems to bring out the Irish begrudgery in a lot of people. Is it linked to their squads in the premiership?

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I'm sure many are aware who it is for me personally, but I think for many it is Kevin Kilbane (he's also my second favorite Irish player). He may make some costly gaffes on occasion, but no one has ever questioned his heart or dedication when he pulls on the green jersey. He's scored some decent goals as well, I nearly hit the cieling when he scored against the Czechs and if it wasn't for his goals against the Faroes and San Marino both could have been even worse (I credit him not the little **** for San Marino). Shay Given and Richard Dunne are certainly up there too.

I have very little go off to compare it with how Irish fans feel/felt about Houghton and McGrath though.

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Originally Posted by Ringo

While Robbie Keane might be our captain & most successful goal scorer, he seems to bring out the Irish begrudgery in a lot of people. Is it linked to their squads in the premiership?

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It's more linked to Robbie himself. No doubt he is probably our best player and essential to the team's success, but he hasn't made himself accessible to the public and his frustrated arm waving, followed by his little jigs on the field of play will not endear himself to anyone.

I've got Robbie's name on the back of my jersey, but there's no stand out figure on our team that everybody likes.

Robbie seems to split people, but would probably be the most liked among casual fans. Dunne and Given are the most popular among "real" supporters I'd say, but even with this not many would put their names on a jersey.

Duff and Doyle would also be up for consideration too I'd reckon, maybe McGeady because of the Celtic contingent.

Not sure about names on the back of shirts, Kilbane would do a bomb in Cult Hero type T shirts like the Zinedine Kilbane ones of a few years back.

Kilbane

to me this is a no brainer:

Shay Given by a mile......

Kilbane has a cult following which doesn't equate to most popular

Kilbane for me too.

I think Duff/Dunne are the most likely to fall into the 'popular' bracket though.

After seeing what duff did after the ireland v bulgaria game i would have to go with him.

Though dunnie and given would be there or there abouts for me too.

http://foot.ie/forums/showthread.php?t=115312

kevin doyle everytime. maximum effort, his talents under-rated, and no arm-waving / moaning that don't endear people towards keane.

1) kilbane 2) Given 3) Doyle for me

ya the country type players(kilbanes family all being from the country in ireland that is).

There is something more innocent, honest and endearing about them. Still though duffer is up there too.

What about Ger Crossley?

Kilbane's the one.............a modern day Cult Hero

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Originally Posted by paul_oshea

After seeing what duff did after the ireland v bulgaria game i would have to go with him.

Though dunnie and given would be there or there abouts for me too.

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What was that? I was out of the country for that game

Cult hero definitely Kevin Kilbane. Top guy, I really appreciate his his effort for his country over the years and its sad to see it coming to an end soon. He would make top class manager.

As regards most vaulable player to the team, well its a pick between Given, Dunne and Keane.

I love Kilbane and like alot of the posters on here have also suggested, Im mustn be alone. But "most popular"? I see and hear the guy getting ridiculed at every game I attend and on internet forums regularly so Im not sure what type of reaction you'd get if you had Kilbane on a shirt in your shop.

Thats the problem as i see it:o

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Originally Posted by Ringo

Thats the problem as i see it:o

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That's why it really only works for Kilbane on the like of Cult Hero T-Shirts. Same with Gary Breen, got regulalry slated yet everyone in Japan loved singing 'We all dream of a team of Gray Breen's'.