Paul McGrath

**DeLorean** · 11/05/2017, 10:10 AM

McGrath reflects on his time at Derby County

http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derb...ail/story.html

**tetsujin1979** · 12/06/2018, 2:19 PM

McGrath featured briefly in Tommy Bowe: The End Game on RTE last night: http://www.rte.ie/player/show/10890844
It's a short documentary following Bowe in the last year of his career, and how he's preparing for a life after rugby. He speaks with AP McCoy, Derval O'Rourke and McGrath on how their lives changed after retiring from professional sport.
It's not available outside Ireland

**passinginterest** · 02/12/2019, 10:29 AM

Turns 60 this week. A nice piece with Roy Curtis. https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...-38742621.html

Can't help but think there's never been a truer icon of Ireland. The difficult childhood, the battles with alcohol, the deep insecurity, yet an incredible ability to perform way beyond what could reasonably be expected on the world stage. I was 11 in 1994 and that performance against Italy will never fade from memory, it may not have resulted in a world medal or a major trophy but it will always be one of the greatest performances in Irish sporting history.

**BonnieShels** · 04/12/2019, 12:38 PM

Big man's birthday today.

Happy birthday Paul!

**seanfhear** · 04/12/2019, 4:19 PM

Is Paul McGrath the best Performer ever for Ireland . I mean over a long period and great performances over a long period ?

**OwlsFan** · 04/12/2019, 4:35 PM

I'd have to go with Robbie Keane.

**SkStu** · 04/12/2019, 8:29 PM

Originally Posted by seanfhear

Is Paul McGrath the best Performer ever for Ireland . I mean over a long period and great performances over a long period ?

He is in the top 3 best players for me (with Robbie Keane and Brady). My favourite Irish player for sure.

**Eminence Grise** · 04/12/2019, 11:06 PM

I'd rate McGrath as our best. Favourite hardly does him justice - revered, maybe? Mrs Grise gave me a gift of a signed pic one Christmas, and I get a thrill every time I look at it. No matter what position he played in, he was sheer class. Seemed to have a built-in radar.

If they could bottle and sell the love people feel for him, the FAI would be debt-free in a jiffy!

**seanfhear** · 05/12/2019, 2:16 AM

I think I’d go with McGrath especially when you throw in Great Performances in Important Games and over a long period .

**DeLorean** · 05/12/2019, 9:18 AM

It'd be hard to overlook Robbie Keane alright in terms of his overall contribution internationally. I think it's clear he wasn't our best ever player in an overall sense, but his prolificacy and longevity were off the charts, and was responsible for so many important moments.

**DeLorean** · 05/12/2019, 9:21 AM

Originally Posted by Eminence Grise

I'd rate McGrath as our best. Favourite hardly does him justice - revered, maybe?

Winning the PFA Player's Player of the Year for 1992/93 showed just how revered he was. I think Van Dijk (last season) was the only other non-English defender to win the award.

**ForzaForth** · 06/12/2019, 10:10 AM

From the olden days, I'll just mention the great Billy Lacey from Enniscorthy. Born sometime in the very late 1800s I think, I believe he moved to Dublin at about the age of twelve and played for Shelbourne. Then moved to Everton and his career was messed up by the First World War. Moved to Liverpool FC after the War where he won two Division 1 championship medals and played 230 times overall with the Reds. Had a remarkable international career which spanned 21 years and played for all three Irish versions - a united Ireland team, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Apparently he's Ireland's oldest ever international player at the age of forty-one. Managed Bohs after his career ended. A plaque was erected on his house in Enniscorthy in 2010 - I must go and see it.

I'll reference Johnny Giles as well as he's also got very strong Wexford links. I'm pretty sure his nephew has played for Wexford FC. About 30 years ago, I bumped into him going on a training run near the Co. Wexford coastline. Johnny would have been about fifty then, I reckon, but the pace he was going at was jaw-dropping for a man of his age.

**The Donie Forde** · 06/12/2019, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by ForzaForth

From the olden days, I'll just mention the great Billy Lacey from Enniscorthy. Born sometime in the very late 1800s I think, I believe he moved to Dublin at about the age of twelve and played for Shelbourne. Then moved to Everton and his career was messed up by the First World War. Moved to Liverpool FC after the War where he won two Division 1 championship medals and played 230 times overall with the Reds. Had a remarkable international career which spanned 21 years and played for all three Irish versions - a united Ireland team, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Apparently he's Ireland's oldest ever international player at the age of forty-one. Managed Bohs after his career ended. A plaque was erected on his house in Enniscorthy in 2010 - I must go and see it.

Just to add to your Lacey knowledge, he was player-manager of Cork Bohemians in 1932-33. Cork Bohs were also in the league the following season but I believe Lacey had taken over at Dalymount that season.

**ForzaForth** · 06/12/2019, 7:15 PM

Thanks, Donie

**Jolly Red Giant** · 06/12/2019, 8:18 PM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

It'd be hard to overlook Robbie Keane alright in terms of his overall contribution internationally. I think it's clear he wasn't our best ever player in an overall sense, but his prolificacy and longevity were off the charts, and was responsible for so many important moments.

Jaysus - no - good goal poacher but the best player - no not by a long shot.

There are many Irish players I would rank above him - and these are the ones that come to mind.

Liam Brady
Shay Brennan
Noel Cantwell
Johnny Carey
Tony Dunne
Charlie Hurley
Roy Keane
Con Martin
Paul McGrath
Alf Ringstead
Liam Whelan (who could have been the best of the lot if he hadn't been killed in the Munich air crash)
Ronnie Whelan

and Johnny Giles has to be considered the best of the lot for me.

**DeLorean** · 10/12/2019, 4:29 PM

Originally Posted by Jolly Red Giant

Jaysus - no - good goal poacher but the best player - no not by a long shot.

There are many Irish players I would rank above him - and these are the ones that come to mind.

Liam Brady
Shay Brennan
Noel Cantwell
Johnny Carey
Tony Dunne
Charlie Hurley
Roy Keane
Con Martin
Paul McGrath
Alf Ringstead
Liam Whelan (who could have been the best of the lot if he hadn't been killed in the Munich air crash)
Ronnie Whelan

and Johnny Giles has to be considered the best of the lot for me.

This was the question though - "Is Paul McGrath the best Performer ever for Ireland . I mean over a long period and great performances over a long period ?"

**jbyrne** · 10/12/2019, 4:36 PM

Originally Posted by Jolly Red Giant

Jaysus - no - good goal poacher but the best player - no not by a long shot.

would you stop..... robbies goal record was incredible and that must put him near or at the top. what exactly did you also want him the contribute?

only in Ireland would a player of robbies ability not get the credit it deserves. baffling really

**seanfhear** · 10/12/2019, 9:38 PM

I don’t think he did as much as Paul McGrath in big games .

**Fixer82** · 10/12/2019, 10:42 PM

No comparison.

Totally different kind of player.

Paul playing up front for his 80 odd caps wouldn't have scored a quarter of what Robbie scored and Robbie wouldn't have put in defensive performances like McGrath did.

**SkStu** · 10/12/2019, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by seanfhear

I don’t think he did as much as Paul McGrath in big games .

really?

2 September 2000 Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands Netherlands 2–2
10 November 2001 Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Republic of Ireland Iran 2–0
5 June 2002 Kashima Soccer Stadium, Kashima, Ibaraki, Japan Germany 1–1
11 June 2002 International Stadium, Yokohama, Japan Saudi Arabia 3–0
16 June 2002 Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea Spain 1–1
1 April 2009 Stadio San Nicola, Bari, Italy Italy 1–1
18 November 2009 Stade de France, Paris, France France 1–1

I love McGrath - as i said, my favourite Irish player ever, but Robbie's record in the big games stands up to scrutiny whether getting us 3 points or scraping one. McGrath is top 3 for sure. I would probably have him at #2 (and can see why people would have him at #1) but we shouldn't downplay Robbies international record.