Irwin named in team of the decade
Former Republic of Ireland international Denis Irwin has been selected in the English Premiership team of the decade, it was revealed on Monday in London.
The former Manchester United full back was named at left back, where he spent the majority of his years at Old Trafford, in a star-studded team that included Peter Schmeichel, Tony Adams, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona and Alan Shearer.
Irwin was 'Mr Consistent' in his 12 years at Manchester United following his Stg£600,000 move from Oldham Athletic in 1990 as he won one Champions League, one European Cup Winners' Cup, seven League titles, one League Cup and two FA Cups making him the most successful Irish player ever to play in England.
For Ireland, Irwin - a former Cork minor hurling star - was just as consistent earning 56 caps over a nine-year period from 1990 to 1999. In fact, many observers feel he could have won many more as he forced his way into the international side relatively late and also retired early from the international set-up.
He made a record breaking debut appearance in a 1-0 victory over Morocco in August 1990 as he became the first ever Irish player to play for Ireland at every level from Under 15 to Senior level and over the next nine years became a fixture in the team.
Having helped Ireland qualify for the 1994 World Cup finals in the USA, Irwin came under pressure from Leeds starlet Gary Kelly for the right back role, though he held onto the position for the opening two games, suspension allowed Kelly in for the clash with Norway in New York and it was Kelly who was favoured when Irwin was available once more for the second round 2-0 defeat by Holland.
But Irwin returned to the team for the 1996 European Championship qualifiers as a left back and was a regular in the side - either at right back, centre back or left back until his retirement to prolong his club career after Ireland's Euro 2000 play-off defeat by Turkey in November 1999.
A wonderful free kick and penalty taker, Irwin's deadball talents were only fleetingly seen at international level as he scored four international goals - three free kicks and one penalty - in a green shirt.
In other news, one of Irwin's successors at full back for Ireland, Steve Finnan, is reported to be moving to Liverpool. The Fulham right back was one of Ireland's stars at the 2002 World Cup. Speculation is rife that he is on the verge of a move to Anfield.
fai.ie
