Ireland's top 50 players poll

**MickeyEvans** · 22/02/2010, 6:46 PM

Not sure if this has been covered elsewhere, but has anyone noticed that Soccer Republic site are doing a poll to decide the 50 greatest players of all time... which, judging from their posters, would probably see Robbie Keane finish ahead of Jackie Carey. You have to pick five yourself.

Here's the link:

http://soccerrepublic.eircom.net/com...ons/Top50.aspx

For the record, I've gone for:
1) Roy Keane
2) Paul McGrath
3) John Giles
4) Liam Brady
5) Jackie Carey

Suppose the issue is we have four "immortals" and AN Other. I'd put Keane top for USA 94 and those performances against Holland Portugal. Thoughts anyone? We surely have to rescue such a poll from the plebs there though.

**Razors left peg** · 22/02/2010, 7:55 PM

I realise that Giles and Brady will be on most peoples lists but Ive decided that I can only put in players that I have seen play regularly. Brady was just a little before my time. I went for players that have been the most effective for us in terms of producing consistant performances and qualifying for some tournaments.
1. Roy Keane
2.Paul McGrath
3.Robbie Keane
4.Damien Duff
5.Shay Given(probably should be higher but hes a keeper so not a proper footballer

)

**superfrank** · 22/02/2010, 8:15 PM

From my time, it's easy. I'm going for: Roy Keane, Paul McGrath, Shay Given, Robbie Keane and Damien Duff.

**geysir** · 22/02/2010, 9:07 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

From my time, it's easy. I'm going for: Roy Keane, Paul McGrath, Shay Given, Robbie Keane and Damien Duff.

And that is why top 50, top 10, top 5, best ever polls, lose most credibility.

**gustavo** · 22/02/2010, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

And that is why top 50, top 10, top 5, best ever polls, lose most credibility.

People can only vote on what they've seen to be fair

**MickeyEvans** · 22/02/2010, 10:41 PM

Without meaning to sound snobbish or anything, it does come back to that phrase "you aren't entitled to your opinion, you're entitled to your informed opinion"...

and a question: should people vote on something like that without even doing a little reading on at least the likes of Hurley, Carey, Englinton and Billy Whelan?

I agree with the above poster on the "credibility" of such things... I remember when Channel 4 did their music of the millennium poll in 1999, Bob Geldof was on the panel going mental about Robbie Williams being so high.

**Razors left peg** · 22/02/2010, 10:47 PM

Well when I voted for Robbie Keane it was because he is our all time record scorer so that for me automatically gets him in ahead of someone from way back who was incredible for a couple of seasons. Duffer the same. I realise that Liam Brady and John Giles were better players than Duffer but were they as consistantly good for Ireland over as many years as Duff has. And for me Shay Given is a no brainer that he is our best ever keeper. So while I made my choices simpy on players that Ive have seen regularly I do fully believe that any of them can hold their own against anyone that has played for Ireland over the years

**Serb** · 23/02/2010, 1:01 AM

Originally Posted by MickeyEvans

[...] which, judging from their posters, would probably see Robbie Keane finish ahead of Jackie Carey.

Is that so unreasonable? Robbie Keane is almost certainly the best striker we've ever produced, and Jackie Carey made his Ireland debut in 1937. It's not like there's a wealth of YouTube clips we can watch considering most of us are under the age of 80 which is about the age we'd need to be to have seen him play.

**yapster** · 23/02/2010, 8:50 PM

Paul McGrath
Liam Brady
Roy Keane
Shay Given
Johnny Carey

**yapster** · 23/02/2010, 8:52 PM

Originally Posted by yapster

Paul McGrath
Liam Brady
Roy Keane
Shay Given
Johnny Carey

I meant Johnny Giles instead of Carey

**yapster** · 23/02/2010, 8:53 PM

Robbie Keane and Duff have a ways to go

**gustavo** · 24/02/2010, 9:18 AM

Originally Posted by yapster

Robbie Keane and Duff have a ways to go

Yea only when he has scored 100 goals for us can he be considered one of our top strikers of all time just like that guy... I forget his name now but he was good

**Lenny82** · 24/02/2010, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Serb

Is that so unreasonable? Robbie Keane is almost certainly the best striker we've ever produced, and Jackie Carey made his Ireland debut in 1937. It's not like there's a wealth of YouTube clips we can watch considering most of us are under the age of 80 which is about the age we'd need to be to have seen him play.

Not sure if this was meant to be funny but it made me laugh. You are spot on Serb!!!

**OwlsFan** · 24/02/2010, 1:20 PM

If I did vote, it would be:

1) Robbie Keane - all time goal scorer by some distance
2) Ray Houghton - most effective and under rated player of the Charlton era
3) John Giles - best passer of a ball I have ever seen
4) Paul McGrath - strength, determination and ability to read a game
5) Roy Keane - midfield destructor and creator

**SkStu** · 24/02/2010, 1:53 PM

from what ive seen, in order...

Paul McGrath
Robbie Keane
Roy Keane
Liam Brady
Niall Quinn

**Scram** · 24/02/2010, 8:55 PM

I can hardly name 50 Irish footballers so all of them would make this list, congratulations to Gary Doherty and David Connolly!

**Razors left peg** · 24/02/2010, 9:03 PM

Originally Posted by Scram

I can hardly name 50 Irish footballers so all of them would make this list, congratulations to Gary Doherty and David Connolly!

haha very good

**stojkovic** · 24/02/2010, 9:30 PM

1. Roy Keane
2. Paul McGrath
3. Liam Brady
4. Mark Lawrenson
5. Robbie Keane
6. Johnny Giles
7. Ronnie Whelan (Liverpool)
8. Shay Given
9. Steve Heighway
10. Damien Duff

**yapster** · 24/02/2010, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by gustavo

Yea only when he has scored 100 goals for us can he be considered one of our top strikers of all time just like that guy... I forget his name now but he was good

200 goals and he might be considered for the top 10....