Who is Ireland's most famous current footballer?

**Torn-Ado** · 12/03/2009, 12:19 PM

Ronnie O Brien surely. Voted greatest person ever by you the people.

**gustavo** · 12/03/2009, 1:56 PM

Has to be Keane , hopefully there will be more competition for him in the next few years

**Colbert Report** · 12/03/2009, 2:37 PM

Definitely Robbie Keane here in Canada. Nobody here, bar the odd "real" Man Utd supporter, knows who John O'Shea is.

After Keane, Duff. He's the only other player we have currently active who has played for a big four club.

**Mayo Red** · 12/03/2009, 2:40 PM

I'd have to agree with most of the other posts here, it's got to be Robbie Keane, probably ever since the 2002 World Cup!

**DeLorean** · 12/03/2009, 3:26 PM

Would McGeady be well known? There is a huge Celtic support world wide and he has been their best player over the past couple of years. He has also had Champions League exposure.

**Dodge** · 12/03/2009, 3:28 PM

Originally Posted by BarelyLegal

Would McGeady be well known? There is a huge Celtic support world wide and he has been their best player over the past couple of years. He has also had Champions League exposure.

More well known than most I'd say. Mainly for that Champions League reason. Although Celtic have a huge worldwide support, Scottish football wouldn't have anywhere near the TV presence of the likes of the French or German leageu never mind the BIg 3

**DeLorean** · 12/03/2009, 3:36 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

More well known than most I'd say. Mainly for that Champions League reason. Although Celtic have a huge worldwide support, Scottish football wouldn't have anywhere near the TV presence of the likes of the French or German leageu never mind the BIg 3

I suppose Given would be well known as well. He's played in the Champions League with Newcastle and the WC with Ireland. Gk's are possibly easier to remember anyway.

**Junior** · 12/03/2009, 4:18 PM

Originally Posted by BarelyLegal

Would McGeady be well known? There is a huge Celtic support world wide and he has been their best player over the past couple of years. He has also had Champions League exposure.

Chatting to non Celtic supporters down here in England, most of them wouldnt have a clue who McGeady is, and these are active footy fans of EPL teams (well Man U and Man C)

**The Legend** · 12/03/2009, 5:59 PM

What about of all time? Probably Dave Barry after his goal for Cork against Bayern Munich!

**DeLorean** · 12/03/2009, 6:03 PM

Originally Posted by Junior

Chatting to non Celtic supporters down here in England, most of them wouldnt have a clue who McGeady is, and these are active footy fans of EPL teams (well Man U and Man C)

Well they must not have much of a general interest so in fairness. I wasn't even talking about England really I was thinking more along the lines of America, Asia, etc. I would have just presumed football fans in England would have heard of the Scottish player of the year. Even the local United fans would have seen him first hand in the Champions League. I have a couple of buddies in England and they have definitely heard of him and not through me!

**Morbo** · 12/03/2009, 8:35 PM

I'd say Robbie followed by Duff, I rarely meet people outside of Britain who can name more than those two

**Supreme feet** · 12/03/2009, 9:03 PM

Robbie Keane saved my life one time. I was in an underground heavy-metal club in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, a couple of years ago. A huge, angry-looking man obviously didn't like the look of me, and started pushing and roaring at me in a threatening manner, in Bulgarian. Petrified, I pointed to myself and said 'Nay Bulgarski, Irlandia, Irlandia.' At that moment, his face changed, and he roared happily 'Irlandia! Robbie Keane! Robbie Keane! Yessssss!' He bought me a drink then.

I wonder if the same man will be so charitable if Robbie sticks one past them in two weeks' time.

**irishfan86** · 13/03/2009, 4:06 AM

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

After Keane, Duff. He's the only other player we have currently active who has played for a big four club.

Being a bit pedantic...but...Steve Finnan?

**Junior** · 13/03/2009, 2:59 PM

Originally Posted by BarelyLegal

Well they must not have much of a general interest so in fairness. I wasn't even talking about England really I was thinking more along the lines of America, Asia, etc. I would have just presumed football fans in England would have heard of the Scottish player of the year. Even the local United fans would have seen him first hand in the Champions League. I have a couple of buddies in England and they have definitely heard of him and not through me!

Yeah, I know the post was about fans from further afield but I gave my anedote as a comparison much closer to home.

Some of the lads I am referring to are season tciket holders at Utd/City some just take an interest in football in general (mainly english football). McGeady is a great player IMO but has he set the Champions League on fire? no, would these lads have more than a passing interest in the SPL? no, not really, has McGeady put in sterling performances for Ireland in a tournament let alone qualifying? no, not really. Thats why most of them, not of an Irish persuasion, would never have heard of him or wouldnt remember his name (letalone pronounce it!) if they did know who you were on about.

If you polled 100 supporters of EPL clubs who they thought the SPL player of the year was? How many do you think would get it right? 5% maybe???? the other 95% would probably say Henrik Larsson or Ally McCoist.....

**eirebhoy** · 13/03/2009, 6:10 PM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

Being a bit pedantic...but...Steve Finnan?

I would have thought O'Shea would be known. I think most Irish football fans would know the squad players at Barca, Real, Milan, Inter, Roma, etc.

**tricky_colour** · 13/03/2009, 8:35 PM

Andy Reids big in Sunderland.

**janeymac** · 14/03/2009, 9:52 AM

I was on holiday in China about 2 years ago. Spurs & Robbie were on the telly the whole time - everywhere we went. Spurs seemed to be really popular out there. It was really weird seeing Robbie the whole time.

Interesting enough, walking around the streets i saw only one EPL football jersey, and that was an old Manchester Utd. one with 16/Keane on the back.

**aidz1** · 14/03/2009, 10:57 PM

Robbie Keane

**Mr Maroon** · 15/03/2009, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

I think most Irish football fans would know the squad players at Barca, Real, Milan, Inter, Roma, etc.

Not many of them.

I'd agree on Robbie Keane.
When I was in Egypt it was a case of "No, I'm not English, I'm Irish."
"Oh, Robbie Keane"

**eirebhoy** · 15/03/2009, 2:15 AM

Originally Posted by Mr Maroon

Not many of them.

Let's put it this way. O'Shea has played over 300 games for Man Utd. I think the vast majority of football fans in this country would recognise the names of any player that has played that many games for the top clubs in Europe. As mediocre as O'Shea is by Man Utd standards, I think it says more about the people of Europe if O'Shea isn't a famous name amongst football fans outside of these 2 islands.