Who is the best irishman never capped at full international level?

**greendeiseboy** · 24/11/2006, 2:06 PM

martin keown qualified for us, England and Northern Ireland. His family are from Galway and near Newry as far i recall. He never expressed a wish to represent anyone only England and imo would be the last person to class himself as as irish given that if you remember he was involved in a fight with kevin sheedy when he got onto sheedy about declaring for us. He has also stated that if it came a decision between declaring for us or northern ireland he would have chosen the north.

He was obviously brought up with a negative view of Ireland and this obviously clouded his opinion of his ancestry.

**greatbleddyman** · 24/11/2006, 4:35 PM

Just an aside: Think Keown family were from Midleton

**Dodge** · 24/11/2006, 5:00 PM

Originally Posted by greendeiseboy

He was obviously brought up with a negative view of Ireland and this obviously clouded his opinion of his ancestry.

Why is it obvious? He may just have felt closer to the northern side... Jeesh

**Saint Tom** · 25/11/2006, 3:04 PM

I know Liam coyle was capped by the north but jesus he was a fine player. Such a shame that injuries limited him because he could have been huge

**NY Hoop** · 27/11/2006, 3:14 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Before my time really, but Alan O'Neill?

Alan was on the bench for the West Germany friendly in 1989 but should have got capped considering some guy called Kelham O'Hanlon got a game against Israel in 1987.

Paul Byrne is now playing for Dublin Bus. Roddy signed him for Rovers at the start of last season on a "non contract" basis. One of many who ****ed it all away.

KOH

**livehead1** · 27/11/2006, 3:23 PM

Originally Posted by NY Hoop

some guy called Kelham O'Hanlon got a game against Israel in 1987.

KOH

...now come on, is that you...

**soccerc** · 27/11/2006, 9:11 PM

Originally Posted by NY Hoop

Paul Byrne is now playing for Dublin Bus.

Five days ago http://foot.ie/showpost.php?p=579661&postcount=64

**Fergie's Son** · 27/11/2006, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by greendeiseboy

martin keown qualified for us, England and Northern Ireland. His family are from Galway and near Newry as far i recall. He never expressed a wish to represent anyone only England and imo would be the last person to class himself as as irish given that if you remember he was involved in a fight with kevin sheedy when he got onto sheedy about declaring for us. He has also stated that if it came a decision between declaring for us or northern ireland he would have chosen the north.

He was obviously brought up with a negative view of Ireland and this obviously clouded his opinion of his ancestry.

He got in a fight with Sheedy? Anymore details?

**ramondo** · 28/11/2006, 5:14 AM

Originally Posted by NY Hoop

Alan was on the bench for the West Germany friendly in 1989 but should have got capped considering some guy called Kelham O'Hanlon got a game against Israel in 1987.

Originally Posted by livehead1

...now come on, is that you...

...no, he's Kevin O'Hagan...

**CollegeTillIDie** · 28/11/2006, 6:39 AM

Kelham O'Hanlon for the uninitiated was a goalkeeper who played for amongst others as far as I can recall Rotherham United. In doing so he would be the second ex Rotherham United keeper to play for the Republic after Seamus (Jim) McDonagh. Who officially was known as Seamus once he got capped for the Republic.

AS regards keepers it's a shame that neither Alan O'Neill or David Henderson didn't get a cap.
English born keeper Peter Thomas WAS capped and he naturalised as an Irishman by virtue of living here for many years.
Another keeper from the Thomas era in a similar situation as regards being possibly a naturalised Englishman was ex Dundalk and Galway keeper Richard Blackmore. He was a first cousin of former Birmingham and Everton striker Bob Latchford and his goalkeeper brother Dave. I believe the only reason Richard didn't declare was that he had played Youth level for England which in his era disqualified you for playing at Senior level for anyone else. Shame because at a time when the senior team were playing the likes of Paddy Roche in goal, he would have been another option.

Alan O'Neill played for Ireland at all Levels including in a squad trying to Qualify for the 1988 Olympics, and as has been pointed out had two stints on the bench for the Seniors without getting a run. He is now the Under 21 team Goalkeeper coach.

**Superhoops** · 28/11/2006, 7:08 AM

Originally Posted by CollegeTillIDie

Kelham O'Hanlon for the uninitiated was a goalkeeper who played for amongst others as far as I can recall Rotherham United. In doing so he would be the second ex Rotherham United keeper to play for the Republic after Seamus (Jim) McDonagh. Who officially was known as Seamus once he got capped for the Republic.....

Seamus McDonagh played for a number of clubs during the time he won his 25 caps but he had left Rotherham United more than 5 years before winning his first cap (against Wales in 1981). His clubs when he played for Ireland were; Everton, Bolton Wanderers, Notts County, Birmingham City (on loan), Gillingham (on loan), Sunderland (on loan) and Witchita Wings.

**lofty9** · 28/11/2006, 8:56 AM

I can't think of any that played in England... Dave Barry, Pat Fenlon, Brendan Bradley and Liam Coyle are 4 that had quality. They'd all probably get into todays squad at the peak of their careers - without injury Coyle would have been a star.