WE'VE put together our greatest ever Republic of Ireland XI, drop a line in the comments box if you think we’ve missed someone out.
We've created our #IrishDreamTeam using a 4-2-3-1 formation, just so we could fit Giles, Brady & Roy Keane in! pic.twitter.com/VeOodOdcn1 — Irish Post Sport (@IrishPostSport) July 29, 2015
Goalkeeper: Shay Given
Only Robbie Keane himself has more caps for Ireland than Shay Given, who has beaten off some stiff competition to get our vote for the No.1 jersey. Packie Bonner done some wonderful things in his famous yellow jersey, but in terms of pure quality we’re of the opinion that Given was a more talented keeper in his prime. During his Newcastle days, the Donegal man was arguably the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, while he also represented Ireland at both the World Cup and the European Championships, much like Bonner. Alan Kelly Sr also deserves a mention having made the No.1 shirt his own between 1963 and 1973.
Left-back: Johnny Carey
One for the older generations this, perhaps. Johnny Carey won 29 caps for Ireland under the FAI between 1937 and 1953, while he also forged a successful club career with Manchester United. Indeed, he captained the Red Devils to FA Cup success in 1948 and was voted the Football Writers’ Player of the Year the previous season. The highlight of his international career was a 2-0 victory over England in 1949.
Manchester United's winning captain Johnny Carey with the FA Cup 1948 pic.twitter.com/JX1pVYUG7O
— VintageFooty (@VintageFooty) July 28, 2015
Centre-half: Steve Staunton
Flexible enough to play at either left-back or centre-half, Steve Staunton enjoyed a long, distinguished international career. A veteran of all three of Ireland’s World Cup finals appearances, it’s hard to leave the Dundalk native out of the side, no matter what position he’s placed. In the 1990 World Cup he played every game as a left-back, but by the time he reached his 100th cap – against Germany at the 2002 World Cup – he was keeping Mick McCarthy’s defence organised from the centre. Staunton also enjoyed a stellar club career, winning the FA Cup with Liverpool in 1989 and the First Division title the following season.
Centre-half: Paul McGrath
This one is pretty much indisputable. In a vote carried out by leading magazine World Soccer in 2013, Paul McGrath amassed just as many votes for the best central defender of all time as World Cup winners Fabio Cannavaro and Marcel Desailly. It’s fair to say McGrath is the best defender Ireland have ever produced, and if we ever produce a better one we know we’ll have a world-class player on our hands. His performances in the 1994 World Cup – where he kept Roberto Baggio quiet – are what he’ll be remembered for most in a green shirt.
Right-back: Denis Irwin
Right-back is a position Ireland have rarely struggled to fill with quality. Paddy Mulligan, Steve Langan, Gary Kelly, Stephen Carr, Steve Finnan and even a young John O’Shea have all impressed in the role down the years, but none more so than Denis Irwin. An ever-present in some of Sir Alex Ferguson’s best ever Manchester United teams, Irwin was reliability personified. Regrettably, he only featured in one major tournament for Ireland – the 1994 World Cup – but his place is assured as the most competent right-back we’ve ever had the pleasure to call upon.
Midfield: Johnny Giles
A fine all-round midfielder, Johnny Giles was the Irishman that the English coveted so much throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Amassing 57 caps for his country, Giles was voted Ireland’s greatest player of all time in 2004, ahead of the likes of Liam Brady and Roy Keane. Under Don Revie, he was a formidable part of the best Leeds United team in history. He was just 18 when he made his debut for Ireland in 1958 and went on to manage his nation for seven years, almost qualifying for the 1978 World Cup.
Midfield: Roy Keane
A controversial shout, no doubt. But, love him or loathe him, there can be no denying that Roy Keane is one of the most talented players ever to come out of Ireland, but his international career is somewhat tainted by the much-publicised spat with Mick McCarthy in Saipan, an incident which has its own Wikipedia entry. However, time heals, and Keane is now back in the Irish set-up as Martin O’Neill’s assistant and is slowly but surely winning back the support of those who sided with McCarthy.
Attacking midfield left: Damien Duff
One of only six men to reach the 100-cap milestone for Ireland, Damien Duff is a modern day legend. Duff announced himself on the world stage with his performances in the 2002 World Cup, which saw him named Ireland’s Player of the Tournament, and a big move to Chelsea went through the following summer. One of the most likeable characters ever to pull on the famous green shirt, Duff also had the talent to back it up.
Attacking midfield centre: Liam Brady
Comfortable on the left or the centre, Liam Brady is probably the most talented playmaker ever to come out of Ireland. Granted, his Ireland career had plenty of lows – namely missing out on Euro ’88 through injury and suspension and then being overlooked by Jack Charlton after coming out of retirement for Italia ’90 – but the fact that he’s a club legend at both Arsenal and Juventus is a measure of just how good he was. Despite never featuring for Ireland in a major tournament, his greatest achievement in a green shirt is still pretty special – a marvellous goal in a famous 1-0 over Brazil in Landsdowne Road in 1987.
Attacking midfield right: Ray Houghton
Ray Houghton is a cult hero for Ireland fans for two stand-out reasons. Number one, of course, is his first ever goal for the nation – a fantastic looping header in a 1-0 over England at Euro ’88. And number two – a spectacular long-range effort against a star-studded Italy side at USA '94. Houghton turned our fantasies into reality, and for that alone he makes the team. Oh, and he wasn’t a bad player when he wasn’t scoring famous goals either.
Forward: Robbie Keane
With some 44 goals between Keane and Quinn in Ireland’s all-time top scorers list, Robbie is way out on his own in the forwards department. Indeed, he formed a very useful partnership with Quinn in the latter’s last few years as an international, but Keane has never needed anyone specific around him to prove his class time and time again over the years. A record 140 caps with 65 goals scored – never would we have dreamed such achievements were possible before the former Tottenham striker came along. Still plugging away now at the age of 35, Keane is still on hand for the next generation of Ireland internationals to watch, listen and learn.
