Retired Players Thread

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

He came off the bench in the game in question, and I wondered - is he the only Irish player to a appear in a European Final for a non-British club?

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Good piece if trivia. Decided to do the research and unsurprisingly the answer is yes, he is the only one.
Full list if ROI player involvement in European finals here (started the match(es) unless otherwise stated):


1968 Shay Brennan, Tony Dunne (Man Utd EC winners)

1971 John Dempsey, Paddy Mulligan *came on as sub in first game, unused sub in replay (Chelsea ECWC winners)

1972 Joe Kinnear (Tottenham UEFA Cup winners)

1973 Steve Heighway (Liverpool UEFA Cup winners)

1975 Johnny Giles (Leeds Utd EC runners-up)

1976 Steve Heighway (Liverpool UEFA Cup winners)

1977 Steve Heighway (Liverpool EC winners)

1978 Steve Heighway *came on as sub (Liverpool EC winners)

1980 David O'Leary, Liam Brady *missed in shoot-out, Frank Stapleton *scored in shoot-out (Arsenal ECWC runners-up)

1984 Mark Lawrenson, Ronnie Whelan, Michael Robinson *came on as sub (Liverpool EC winners)
1984 Chris Hughton, Tony Galvin (Tottenham UEFA Cup winners)
1984 Mickey Walsh (FC Porto ECWC runners-up)

1985 Jim Beglin, Mark Lawrenson, Ronnie Whelan (Liverpool EC runners-up)
1985 Kevin Sheedy (Everton ECWC winners)

1991 Denis Irwin (Man Utd ECWC winners)

1994 Eddie McGoldrick *came on as sub (Arsenal ECWC winners)

1995 Eddie McGoldrick *unused sub (Arsenal ECWC runners-up)

1999 Denis Irwin (Man Utd CL winners)

2005 Steve Finnan (Liverpool CL winners)

2007 Steve Finnan (Liverpool CL runners-up)

2008 John O'Shea *unused sub (Man Utd CL winners)

2009 John O'Shea (Man Utd CL runners-up)

2010 Damien Duff (Fulham EL runners-up)

2019 Caoimhín Kelleher *unused sub (Liverpool CL winners)


Useless info:
We've never had players on opposing sides in a European final
1984 was our bumper year, with six player involvements across the three competitions)

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Originally Posted by DeLorean

Useless info:
We've never had a European final goalscorer (Frank Stapleton scored in the shoot-out in 1980)
We've never had players on opposing sides in a European final
1984 was our bumper year, with six player involvements across the three competitions)

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John Dempsey scored for Chelsea in the replay of the Cup Winners Cup Final in 1971: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971_E...p_Final#Replay

Okay, scratch that.

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Originally Posted by DeLorean

Okay, scratch that.

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I'm leaving the thanks on it, still commendable effort there on the Google front God bless you.

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Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

I'm leaving the thanks on it, still commendable effort there on the Google front God bless you.

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And I'm adding mine.

Never heard of John Dempsey. More Geysir's era :)

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

John Dempsey scored for Chelsea in the replay of the Cup Winners Cup Final in 1971: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971_E...p_Final#Replay

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Did Kevin Sheedy not score in Everton's 3-1 win over Rapid Vienna in 1985?

Everton would have had a great shout at winning the big one had Liverpool not got English clubs banned.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Did Kevin Sheedy not score in Everton's 3-1 win over Rapid Vienna in 1985?

Everton would have had a great shout at winning the big one had Liverpool not got English clubs banned.

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yep, the third in a 3-1 win: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_E...s%27_Cup_Final
I thought Dempsey was the only one.

You're only human Tetsa, can easily happen.

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Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

Excrutiating interview with Paul McGrath on Marian Finucane right now. She's scarcely even asking him questions. More like making nonsensical statements and expecting him to comment upon them.

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This is a very interesting observation LR, I can't recall it, but A LOT of big Paul's interviews have been like that (well, any that I've heard, including the recent one on his HoF award with that arsehole Dervan). I know that speaking isn't his thing, particularly when there's a camera on him, but for god sake, you'd think that one of the proper sports journos could do a decent interview with him, that would allow him to speak without resorting to clichés, but also to put functional, interesting questions to him that would be of interest to football fans.

I always want to hear more from McGrath, as much now as ever, given he's in what could be described as as good a place as hes ever been.

Anyone ever listen to Jarlath Regan's podcast? A very capable and empathetic interviewer.

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Possibly, but correlation does not imply causation. People get tumours without ever having played football.

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People get tumours without having a brain.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

And I'm adding mine.

Never heard of John Dempsey. More Geysir's era :)

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Oh here we go, the bloody thanks brigade are out in force.

FFS.

Oh, scratch that, I'm cheerleader for the thanks brigade :-)

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

John Dempsey scored for Chelsea in the replay of the Cup Winners Cup Final in 1971

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Did Kevin Sheedy not score in Everton's 3-1 win over Rapid Vienna in 1985?

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Two excellent goals actually.

Dempsey's first time volley...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGTds3sD22c

And Sheedy's quality finish...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7M563Rx2OE

Double Post.

Kevin Moran 65 today. I'm guessing he's the first Irish EPL player to reach pensionable age? Probably one of the first EPL players overall to reach 65.

Incidentally, I'm guessing this lad doesn't qualify for us, despite the name:

https://www.transfermarkt.com/kevin-...spieler/669342

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Originally Posted by Eirambler

Kevin Moran 65 today. I'm guessing he's the first Irish EPL player to reach pensionable age? Probably one of the first EPL players overall to reach 65.

Incidentally, I'm guessing this lad doesn't qualify for us, despite the name:

https://www.transfermarkt.com/kevin-...spieler/669342

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Correct, any guesses on who the next Irish international to appear in the Premier League to be eligible for a pension is?
It's tough.

Gerry Peyton?

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Originally Posted by Trequartista20

Gerry Peyton?

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number one with a bullet! well done

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Originally Posted by Eirambler

Kevin Moran 65 today. I'm guessing he's the first Irish EPL player to reach pensionable age? Probably one of the first EPL players overall to reach 65.

Incidentally, I'm guessing this lad doesn't qualify for us, despite the name:

https://www.transfermarkt.com/kevin-...spieler/669342

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if you scroll down a bit, the "a" in Moran even has a fada!! ;) ours to lose!

Kevin Morán Blanco