Top 50 Irish players 2005/2006
from today's Independent: http://www.unison.ie/sportsdesk/stor...=12&si=1610777
1 Robbie Keane (Tottenham)
For half the season the Dubliner looked to be on his way out of White Hart Lane but he dug deep to produce his best season ever as a professional footballer and earn a new contract. His leadership and 16 goals have propelled Tottenham to the verge of Champions League qualification and he was voted fans Player of the Year.
2 Kevin Doyle (Reading)
Twelve months ago he was valued at £85,000, now he is a £3m striker and his value will treble if he bangs in the goals in the Premiership next season. The former Cork City striker netted 18 league goals and was a key reason why Reading ran away with the Championship. The awards he has been picking up are thoroughly justified.
3 Shay Given (Newcastle)
Has just turned 30 and is now very much in his prime. Selected on the Premiership Team of the Season. He has kept 18 clean sheets and was their best player in the dark days as Graeme Souness headed for the sack. Deservedly handed the captain's armband for the final weeks of the season.
4 Steven Reid (Blackburn)
The decision to switch him into central midfield has yielded rich dividends for Blackburn who are chasing a European place. The 25-year-old has developed into a physically strong midfielder with electric pace and one of the fiercest shots in the Premiership as evidenced by his stunning goals.
5 Steve Finnan (Liverpool)
Has blossomed since Rafa Benitez took over at Liverpool and, having seen off all his rivals at right back, is now Mr Consistency at Anfield. He is solid defensively and also gets forward on the overlap. Has helped Liverpool reach the FA Cup Final and third place in the Premiership.
6 John O'Shea (Manchester United)
The most versatile player in the Premiership continues to defy the critics and was a key performer in Manchester United's impressive 11-game unbeaten run where he was mainly deployed as the holding player in midfield. A new four-year contract tells its own story.
7 Graham Kavanagh (Wigan Athletic)
He may be 31 but he was the cornerstone of a Wigan team that exceeded all expectations by not only reaching the Carling Cup Final but also spending most of the season in the top half of the table.
8 Joey O'Brien (Bolton Wanderers)
This midfielder was pressed into first team duty as an emergency right back and succeeded in nailing down the place for himself after a series of impressive performances in the Premiership and UEFA Cup. With a cool head and a cultured right foot he has made a big impression.
9 Damien Duff (Chelsea)
He's just won a second successive Premiership medal but this has been a disappointing season for Duff. Injury didn't help and neither did the tactical strait jacket which Jose Mourinho strapped him into it. Three league goals is his lowest return in five seasons.
10 Stephen Ireland (Manchester City)
The 18-year-old made his first team debut in September and hasn't looked back. Although small in stature he makes up for lack of inches with a gritty determination and an ability to make the killer pass. Has the drive and determination to become a major player in the years ahead.
11 Kevin Foley (Luton Town)
The 21-year-old right-back stepped up a level when Luton were promoted to the Championship but did so well that he is now been touted as a possible Premiership transfer target this summer. A very steady player.
12 Paddy Kenny (Sheffield United)
Will be playing in the Premiership next season after helping the Blades win promotion and on the evidence of this season he won't look out of place. He's been an ever-present for United on their march to the Premiership and kept 18 clean sheets.
13 Richard Dunne (Manchester City)
Manchester City's season may have run out of steam but one of the bright spots has been Richard Dunne's performances at centre-half where he has used his pace and strength to great effect. His rehabilitation was completed when Stuart Pearce handed him the captaincy in Sylvain Distin's absence and the fans voted him as their Player of the Year.
14 Owen Garvan (Ipswich Town)
Grandson of Con Martin and nephew of Mick Martin, his footballing pedigree is impeccable and the 18-year-old showed his potential by becoming a first team regular at Ipswich. He is a sublime passer of the ball. Named Player of the Year by the Ipswich fans.
15 Dean Kiely (Portsmouth)
Injury cost him his place at Charlton Athletic and he was twiddling his thumbs on the bench when Harry Redknapp swooped for him in January. It's proved to be an astute signing and Kiely's performances in the final 14 league games inspired Portsmouth to a remarkable Premiership escape act.
16 Shane Long (Reading)
The £40,000 Reading paid Cork City for the former Tipperary Minor hurler could turn out to be a bigger bargain than Kevin Doyle's deal. Having started in the reserves Long was soon promoted to the first team and became a scorer of vital goals while coming off the bench. His massive potential is making them giddy at the Madejski Stadium.
17 Richie Foran (Motherwell)
The former Shelbourne player has established himself as one of the top strikers in the Scottish Premier League with 12 goals this season. He has added discipline to his game and has managed to go through the season without collecting a red card, something that would have been unthinkable a few years ago.
18 Liam Miller (Leeds United)
His loan move from Manchester United has worked out very well. Regular first team football has allowed him to show his ability and he has played a major role in Leeds United's march to the play-offs. If Leeds win promotion Kevin Blackwell is likely to move heaven and earth to make Miller's move permanent.
19 Michael Doyle (Coventry)
This tenacious midfielder was recently rewarded with a new contract after another excellent season and he must surely be on the verge of a call to the international squad. This battling midfielder started 48 times for Coventry this season as the Sky Blues finished eighth in the Championship.
20 Liam Lawrence (Sunderland)
It's not been a season to remember at the Stadium of Light but the performances of this 24-year-old midfielder have caught the eye and he is now part of Steve Staunton's international squad.
21 Peter Murphy (Carlisle)
Now one of the longest serving players at Carlisle, Murphy has been on a roller coaster ride at Brunton Park over the past few seasons. Promotion from the Conference has been followed this term by more success this season with promotion to League Two and the League Three title within touching distance. Murphy has missed only one game along the way and has been influential whether used in defence or midfield.
22 Shane Supple (Ipswich Town)
Has graduated impressively from Ipswich's FA Youth Cup winning side of last season. He started the season on the bench and finished it as first choice keeper having ousted Welsh international Les Price. Only 18, he could be Shay Given's long term successor if he keeps this rate of progress up.
23 Gary Kelly (Leeds United)
He may not wear the captain's armband at Elland Road but he is the player everybody looks up to and his selection on the Championship team of the season was a just reward for his level of consistency this season. The 31-year-old defender also managed a rare goal.
24 Clinton Morrison (Crystal Palace)
Steve Bruce has admitted that selling Morrison is one of the mistakes that caused Birmingham City's relegation and 13 goals for Palace reinforces that view. Palace are heading to the play-offs and Morrison's partnership with Andy Johnson could get them to the Premiership at the expense of their old club.
25 Garreth O'Connor (Burnley)
The former Bohemians player has had an excellent first season at Turf Moor having jumped a division from League One. An attacking midfielder, who likes to get forward, he has scored eight goals and quickly established himself as a key player in Steve Cotterill's side.
