Worst Irish international you have seen play

**as_i_say** · 03/08/2007, 12:47 PM

I remember Alan Mahon alright-miss kicked the ball on the right touch line trying to cross and fell over himself-- he was incredibly nervous. we didnt need to try another left sided player at the time unfortunatley for him.

By the way things are going O'Shea will get those 50 caps

**Superhoops** · 03/08/2007, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by fergalr

If its who has been the worst player to amass an unbelievable amount of caps then its Kilbane by a long way. Put it another way if there anyone else so talentless who has even won 50 caps let alone nearly 100?

For one-off awfulness Paul Butler has rightly got a few mentions. The other one I remember is Alan Mahon who played 20-30 minutes of some friendly and was abysmal beyond belief.

Absolute bullsh*t.

Kilbane has always given at least 100%. Sure he has 'bad days at the office' but over the years he has never failed to turn up when selcted for the squad, has played in any position he has been asked to play even to accommodate others and as mentioned previously, no matter what number of caps he eventually gets, his display in Paris that night would ensure he is miles away from being the worst player to amass an unbelievable number of caps. Without any doubt, the player who leads this category by a mile is John O'Shea.

**brine3** · 05/08/2007, 7:09 PM

I thought Kilbane's best performance was Holland away in 2000, and all those other matches when he spent all his time covering for Ian Harte.

He's given 100% since then (can't fault him for that) but he's just not up to the job of international central midfielder. People go on about his Paris performance, but all I remember from sitting in Stade de France is cursing his poor positioning and constant wasting of possession. O.k., he worked his socks off, but we need more than that at international level. That said, if the the more talented players tried as hard as Kilbane we'd be cruising.

**tetsujin1979** · 06/08/2007, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by brine3

I thought Kilbane's best performance was Holland away in 2000, and all those other matches when he spent all his time covering for Ian Harte.

Personally I thought it was the 1-0 win over Portugal at home, think he captained the side that night

**geysir** · 06/08/2007, 11:17 AM

I don't know about that Tets, are you referring to the friendly win?
Didn't KK just play half that game?

**Stuttgart88** · 06/08/2007, 12:14 PM

I thought KK's second half performance against Cameroon in Niigata was immense. He had a very muted first half and my suspicion is that Mick told him (and others) to conserve energy given the heat. From the moment Harte nearly gifted Cameroon their second goal Kilbane made that side of the pitch his own and won so many headers and flicks, the value of which Owls Fan raightly bangs on about.

**shakermaker1982** · 06/08/2007, 12:47 PM

I have to admit I've started to appreciate Kilbane an awful lot more. He runs round like a headless chicken at times but he tries. I'd prefer to see him on the bench but he gives his all so cannot complain.

**cavan_fan** · 06/08/2007, 3:14 PM

As has been said this needs to be divided by caps, an award for those who got less than five caps one for 5-30 and one for 30+

The mid range guys who always astonished me with their appearances were Morris, Coyne and Kernaghan

**stojkovic** · 06/08/2007, 3:38 PM

Originally Posted by cavan_fan

As has been said this needs to be divided by caps, an award for those who got less than five caps one for 5-30 and one for 30+

The mid range guys who always astonished me with their appearances were Morris, Coyne and Kernaghan

I agree we should have catagories
1-5 caps Paul Butler ?
5-25 John Devine ?
25-50 Chris Morris ?
50+ John O'Shea ?

Anyone remember Ken de Mange getting capped.

Always criticised Hartey when he played but missed him when he left. He had no pace and couldnt tackle but his distribution, corners and free kicks were first rate - remind you of anyone (clue - the most overrated, multi millionaire ever to kick a ball).

I always felt that in 2002 Killer and Hartey should have swopped positions.

**cavan_fan** · 06/08/2007, 3:46 PM

Originally Posted by stojkovic

Always criticised Hartey when he played but missed him when he left. He had no pace and couldnt tackle but his distribution, corners and free kicks were first rate - remind you of anyone (clue - the most overrated, multi millionaire ever to kick a ball).

Agree that one element needs to be who else was available. A lot of the time Harte was the only option at LB

**Fergie's Son** · 06/08/2007, 4:59 PM

Originally Posted by cavan_fan

The mid range guys who always astonished me with their appearances were Morris, Coyne and Kernaghan

Morris was a solid player. He did well for us and should not be on this list.

Coyne was a limited player but he had a good WC in '94 and did what was asked of him.

Kernaghan was equally limited but was a solid player as well and scored a few nice goals.

**Noelys Guitar** · 06/08/2007, 8:12 PM

Originally Posted by stojkovic

I agree we should have catagories
1-5 caps Paul Butler ?
5-25 John Devine ?
25-50 Chris Morris ?
50+ John O'Shea ?

Anyone remember Ken de Mange getting capped.

Always criticised Hartey when he played but missed him when he left. He had no pace and couldnt tackle but his distribution, corners and free kicks were first rate - remind you of anyone (clue - the most overrated, multi millionaire ever to kick a ball).

I always felt that in 2002 Killer and Hartey should have swopped positions.

Did you know John Devine made a single (record) while at Arsenal? Heard it on RTE radio. Truely dire stuff.

**stojkovic** · 06/08/2007, 8:48 PM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

Did you know John Devine made a single (record) while at Arsenal? Heard it on RTE radio. Truely dire stuff.

Did van Morrison produce it

**RiffRaff** · 06/08/2007, 9:28 PM

Originally Posted by stojkovic

Did van Morrison produce it

:

**Noelys Guitar** · 06/08/2007, 9:39 PM

Originally Posted by stojkovic

Did van Morrison produce it

Not sure! Van might have been a better full back than Devine. Brighter on that side of team and no moondancing.

**Dermotron** · 31/01/2012, 2:09 PM

Paul Green

**nigel-harps1954** · 31/01/2012, 4:53 PM

Looking back now on what people were saying about John O'Shea...wonder does everyone have the same opinion now?!

**Eminence Grise** · 31/01/2012, 11:48 PM

97 posts and I can't believe no perpetually dissatisfied grumpy-drawers has mentioned Robbie Keane!

(

... lights fuse, throws bomb and runs for cover

)

Trying to decide whether David Savage or Alan O'Brien deserve the dishonourable mention...

**TrapAPony** · 31/01/2012, 11:58 PM

Joey Lapira, Paul Green, Paul Butler & Paul McShane must be on this list....

**Supreme feet** · 01/02/2012, 2:54 AM

Any one of Joe O'Cearuill, Alan O'Brien, Alan Bennett, Paul Green, Peter Murphy, Joe Lapira, John Thompson, Paul Butler, Jim Goodwin and Barry Quinn. Cillian Sheridan and Stephen Gleeson could be added to that list in time, but they're still young enough to prove me wrong.

Of those, I think Butler and Quinn were the only ones playing regularly at a high level when they were capped; we've really dragged the murky depths of the barrel with some of our selections over the years. Of those with 20+caps, Keogh, McShane and Miller should get a mention.