Ireland National Team

Ireland national team was available between 1882 and 1950 prior to separation into Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Republic of Ireland was overshadowed by Northern Ireland for four decades between the 1950s and the 1980s. From the 1990s until the present, Ireland Republic has become the better team. The first Irish legend is a defensive player Billy McCracken in the 1900s and 1910s. In the first half 1920s, Patsy Gallagher performed as one of the best wingers in the World and is the best Irish player ever in the era of Irish union. Danny Blanchflower’s performance in the 1958 World Cup has been marked as the best ever among Irish players in World Cup. Then in 1960s, the small nation likes produced one of the highest peak performers ever George Best who never led his nation to qualify for international final tournament. One of the best goalkeepers in the World in the first half 1970s, Patt Jennings was introduced. Johnny Giles is named as Ireland republic’s greatest ever by UEFA Jubilee awards beat famous legends likes Liam Brady and Roy Keane unanimously.    


Ireland




Location     :  Western-Northern Europe
European Championship Participation : 2 Times (1988, 2012)
World Cup Participation :  8 Times (1958, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 2002)
Achievement  : None
Most Caps  : Pat Jennings (119 Games)
Top Scorer : Robbie Keane (41 Goals)
The Greatest Player Ever :  George Best





All-Time Irish Squad

1. Pat Jennings

Date Of Birth  :  12 June 1945
Height  : 183 cm, Position  : Goalkeeper
Nation  : Northern Ireland, Caps : 119 Games
Major Club  : Tottenham, Arsenal
World Cup Participation  :  1982, 1986 (7 Games)
Club Honours : 2 Times FA Cup
2 Times League Cup, 1 Time UEFA Cup
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement :  2 Times PFA Team of the Year
1973 FWA Footballer Of The Year
1976 PFA Players’ Player Of The Year
1999 IFFHS Northern Ireland Goalkeeper of The Century
All-Time Consecutive Years of International Appearances (23)
Class : Queen Gold

2. Johnny Carey

Date Of Birth  :  23 February 1919
Height  : 183 cm, Position : Right-Wing-Back
Nation  : Republic of Ireland
Major Club  :  Manchester United
Caps  : 36 Games
World Cup Participation  :  None
Club Honours : 1 Time English Top Division
1 Time FA Cup
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement  :  1949 FWA Footballer Of The Year
Class :  Prince Gold


3. Denis Irwin

Date Of Birth  :  31 October 1965
Position :  Left and Right-Back
Height  :  173 cm, Nation :  Republic of Ireland
Caps : 56 Games, Major Club  :  Manchester United
World Cup Participation  : 1994 (2 Games)
Club Honours   : 7 Times English Premier League
3 Times FA Cup, 1 Time League Cup
1991 UEFA Cup Winners’Cup
1999 UEFA Champion League, Intercontinental Cup
International Honours  :  2 Times PFA Team of the Year
Individual Achievement  :  None
Class : Prince Silver

4. Paul Mcgrath

Date Of Birth  :  4 December 1959
Height :  183 cm, Position :  Center-Back
Nation :  Republic of Ireland
Major Club  :  Manchester United, Aston Villa
Caps  :  83 Games
World Cup Participation : 1990, 1994 (9 Games)
Club Honours  : 1 Time FA Cup
2 Times English League Cup
International Honours  : None
Individual Achievement  : 2 Times PFA Team of the Year
1993 PFA Players’ Player of The Year
Class :  Prince Silver


5. Mark Lawrenson

Date Of Birth  :  2 June 1957
Height : 182 cm, Position : Center-Back
Nation : Republic of Ireland
Major Club  : Liverpool
Caps : 39 Games
World Cup Participation  :  None
Club Honours : 5 Times English Top Division
1 Time FA Cup, 3 Times English League Cup
1984 European Cup, 1985 Runner-Up
International Honours    :  None
Individual Achievement  :  4 Times PFA Team of the Year
Class :  Prince Silver

6. Roy Keane

Date Of Birth  :  10 August 1971
Height : 178 cm, Position  : Destroyer
Nation :  Republic Of Ireland
Caps : 66 Games, Major Club  :  Manchester United
World Cup Participation  : 1994, 2002 (4 Games)
Club Honours  : 7 Times English Premier League
1 Time Scottish League
4 Times FA Cup, 1 Time Scottish League Cup
1999 UEFA Champion League, Intercontinental Cup
International Honours  :  None
Individual Achievement : 5 Times PFA Team of the Year
2000 FWA Footballer Of The Year
2000 PFA Player’s Player Of The year
Class : Queen Silver

7. Danny Blanchflower

Date Of Birth  :  10 February 1926
Position : Defensive Holding Midfielder
Height  : 173 cm, Nation :  Northern Ireland
Caps  : 56 Games, Major Club : Tottenham Hot Spurs
World Cup Participation : 1958 (5 Games)
Club Honours : 1 Time English League, 2 Times FA Cup
International Honours  :  None                     
Individual Achievement :  Tottenham Greatest Player Ever
1958 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
2 Times FWA Footballer Of The Year
Class : Queen Gold


8. Patsy Gallagher

Date Of Birth  : 16 March 1891
Position  : Right-Winger/ Second Striker
Nation  :  Northern Ireland
Height  :  162 cm, Caps  : 13 Games
Major Club  :  Glasgow Celtic       
World Cup Participation  :  None
Club Honours  : 7 Times Scottish League
4 Times Scottish Cup
International Honours  :  None
Individual Achievement :  None
Class :  Queen Bronze


9. Joe Brambrick

Date Of Birth  :  3 November 1905
Height  : 180 cm, Position : Target Striker
Nation  :  Northern Ireland
Major Club :  Lindfield Belfast
Caps  : 11 Games (12 Goals)
World Cup Participation  :  None
Professional Scores Record : 364 Goals/300 Games
Club Honours  : 4 Times Northern Irish League
3 Times Northern Irish Cup
International Honours  :  None
Individual Achievement :  1 Time World League Top Scorer
Class : Prince Bronze

10. Liam Brady

Date Of Birth  : 13 February 1956
Height  : 174 cm, Position : Playmaker
Nation  :  Republic of Ireland
Major Club  :  Arsenal, Juventus
Caps  : 72 Games (18 Goals)
World Cup Participation  : None
Club Honours  : 2 Times Italian Series A, 1 Time FA Cup
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : 3 Times PFA Team of the Year
1979 PFA Players’ Player of The Year
IFFHS Republic of Ireland’s Player of The Century
Class : Queen Bronze


11. George Best

Date Of Birth  :  22 May 1946
Position : Left-Winger, Height : 175 cm
Nation : Northern Ireland, Caps  : 37 Games (9 Goals)
Major Club :  Man United
Professional Score Record  : 204 Goals/ 579 Games
Club Honours :  2 Times English Top Division,1968 European Cup 
International Honours, World Cup Participation : None
Individual Achievement : UEFA Jubilee Award (Northern Ireland)
1968 European Footballer Of The Year, 1971 Bronze Ball 
1968 FWA Footballer Of The Year, English Top Division Top Scorer
1999 IFFHS Northern Ireland Player of The Century
Manchester United/English Top League Greatest Player Ever
BBC Sports Personality Lifetime Achievement
                                                   PFA Special Merit Award
                                                   Class : King Silver

___________________________________________________

Substitution

12. Elisha Scott

Date Of Birth  :  24 August 1894
Height  : 175 cm, Position : Goalkeeper
Nation  :  Northern Ireland
Caps. :  31 Games, Major Club  : Liverpool
World Cup Participation: None
Club Honours :   2 Times English Top League
2 Times Northern Irish League
1 Time Northern Irish Cup
International Honours     :   None
Individual Achievement :   None
Class :  Prince Silver


13. Billy McCracken

Date Of Birth : 29 January 1883
Position : Right-Defender
Height : 180 cm
Nation : Northern Ireland, Caps : 29 Games
Major Club : Newcastle
World Cup Participation: None
Club Honours : 3 Times English Top Division
1 Time FA cup
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : None
Class : Prince Silver


14. Alex Elder

Date Of Birth  :  25 April 1941
Height : 180 cm, Position : Left-Back
Nation :  Northern Ireland
Major Club :  Burnley
Caps. : 40 Games
World Cup Participation: None
Club Honours  : 1 Times English Top Division
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : None
Class : Prince Silver


15. David O’Leary

Date Of Birth  :  2 May 1958
Position : Center-Back
Height : 186 cm
Nation  :  Republic of Ireland
Caps  : 68 Games
Major Club  :  Arsenal
Club Honours : 2 Times English Top Division
2 Times FA Cup, 2 Times English League Cup
International Honours, World Cup Participation: None
Individual Achievement : 3 Times PFA Team of the Year
Class : Prince Silver


16. Jonny Giles

Date Of Birth  :  6 November 1940
Position  : Central Holding Midfielder
Height : 177 cm, Nation : Republic Of Ireland
Major Club  :  Manchester United, Leeds United
Caps : 59 Games    
Club Honours  :  2 Times English Top Division
2 Times Inter-Cities Fair Cup
2 Times FA Cup, 1 Time League Cup
International Honours, World Cup Participation  :  None
Individual Achievement : 1 Time PFA Team of the Year
UEFA Jubilee Awards (Republic of Ireland)
Class :  Queen Bronze

17. Jimmy Mcilroy

Date Of Birth :  25 October 1931
Position : Playmaker
Nation  :  Northern Ireland, Caps. : 68 Games
Height : 175  cm, Major Club  :  Burnley
World Cup Participation: 1958 (4 Games)
Club Honours : 1 Time English Top Division
International Honours    :   None
Individual Achievement :  None
Class : Prince Silver




18. Steve Heighway

Date Of Birth : 25 November 1947
Height : 182 cm, Position : Left-Winger
Nation :  Republic Ireland, Caps : 34 Games
Major Club :  Liverpool
World Cup Participation:  None
Club Honours : 4 Times English Top Division
1 Time FA Cup
2 Times UEFA Cup (1973, 1976)
3 Times European Cup (1977, 1978 , 1981)
International Honours    :   None
Individual Achievement : None
Class :  Prince Silver

19. Damien Duff

Date Of Birth : 2 March 1979
Height : 177 cm, Position : Left and Right-Winger
Nation  :  Republic Ireland, Caps : 78 Games
Major Club  :  Blackburn Rovers
World Cup Participation:  2002 (4 Games)
Club Honours :    2 Times English Premier League
2 Times English League Cup
International Honours            :   None
Individual Achievement :  1 Time PFA Team of the Year
1 Times UEFA Team of the Year
Class :  Prince Silver



20. Norman Whiteside

Date Of Birth  : 7 May 1965
Position : Attacking Midfielder
Nation : Northern Ireland
Height : 188 cm
Major Club  :  Manchester United
Caps  : 38 Games (9 Goals)
World Cup Participation:  1982, 1986 (8 Games/1 Goal)
Club Honours : 2 Times FA Cup
International Honours  :  None
Individual Achievement  :  None
Class : Prince Silver



21. Peter Doherty

Date Of Birth  :  5 June 1913
Height : 178 cm, Position : Forward
Nation :  Republic of Ireland
Major Club : Manchester City
Caps : 16 Games (3 Goals)
World Cup Participation  :   None
Professional Scores Record :  205 Goals/402 Games
Club Honours : 1 Time English League, 1 Time FA Cup
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement :  None
Class : Prince Silver


22. Robbie Keane

Date Of Birth  :  8 July 1980
Height : 173 cm, Position : Forward
Nation : Republic of Ireland
Major Club : Tottenham
Caps. : 96 Games (41 Goals)
World Cup Participation:  2002 (4 Games/3 Goals)
Club Honours : 1 Time English League Cup
International Honours  :  None
Individual Achievement : 1 Time PFA Team of the Year
All-Time Most Consecutive Years International Scorer
Class : Prince Silver




Manager

Martin O’Niel



Year Of Birth :  1 March 1952
Major Team :  Leicester City, Glasgow Celtic, Aston Villa
Major Achievement :   3 Times Scottish Premier League
3 Times Scottish Cup
1 Time Scottish League Cup     
2003 UEFA Cup Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : None
Class  :  Prince Gold




Conclusion of Squad

GK : Pat Jennings, Elisha Scott
DF : Johnny Carey, Denis Irwin, Alex Elder, Billy McCracken, Paul Mcgrath, Mark Lawrenson, David O’Leary
MF : Roy Keane, Danny Blanchflower, Jonny Giles, Liam Brady, Jimmy Mcilroy, Damien Duff, Steve Heighway
FW : George Best (Captain), Patsy Gallagher, Robbie Keane, Norman Whiteside, Peter Doherty, Joe Brambrick

Manager : Martin O’Niel




Formation XI  (4-2-3-1)



Explanation of Formation


The team strategy is direct-ball with support panel from five midfielders. Jennings is automatically selected as first choice keeper. Johnny Carey would act as a right-wing-back, running to support in the right-side midfield area. McCracken would be aware of defensive duty on the left-flank. Mcgrath and Lawrenson would be a great partnership in central defender area. Roy Keane is mostly deeper positioned in midfield area as a destroyer behind Blanchflower who is assigned as a creative holding midfielder. Liam Brady is an advanced playmaker just behind a target-man Joe Brambrick. George Best and Patsy Gallagher would technically conduct the ball to the side-forward area to support goalscoring task..


Croke Park



Opened : 1913 (Renovated 
in 2004)
City  : Dublin
Capacity : 82, 300 Seats
Field Dimension : 144.5x88m






Statistics
By Decade
By Class
By Nation
By Club
1910s : 1
1920s : 1
1930s : 1
1940s : 1
1950s : 2
1960s : 4
1970s : 3
1980s : 5
1990s : 2
2000s : 2


King : 1
Queen : 6
Prince : 15


Republic or Ireland : 12
Northern Ireland : 10


Manchester United : 5
Tottenham : 3
Liverpool : 3
Arsenal : 2
Burnley : 2
Newcastle : 1
Glasgow Celtic : 1
Leeds United : 1
Aston Villa : 1
Blackburn Rovers : 1
Manchester City : 1
Linfield : 1



The Greatest Irish Footballers of All-Time

1. George Best
2. Danny Blanchflower
3. Pat Jennings
4. Roy Keane
5. Liam Brady
6. Johnny Giles
7. Patsy Gallacher
8. Jimmy Mcilroy
9. Billy McCracken
10 Johnny Carey

20 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I find this link but I would not refer to vote results as it is biased to player in recent or modern era.
      But the link is still good to know for the overall list. In the left-back position, Tony Dunne is not even considered as a candidate.
      http://northernirelandsgreatesteverteam.wordpress.com/
      So, Your suggestion is approved. Alex Elder (N.Ireland) played the same era as Tony Dunne (Rep.Ireland). The article describe Elder was said by Pele as one of the best full-backs in the World in his generation and owned very accurate passing ability.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous25/5/15

    Glaring omission - Ireland's 2nd greatest ever player after George Best - where is Peter Doherty?
    Also Tony Dunne is the best full back (left or right) I've ever seen in English Football - so where is he?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know Perter Doherty but I'm juts not sure about his status. Why do you think he is the second best player ever of Ireland even ahead of Giles and Brady ? Anyway I'll surely add him in squad as he is described impressive enough in article.

      I first name Tony Dunne in the squad but then I change my mind to replace him by Alex Elder refer to this thread http://forums.bigsoccer.com/threads/the-greatest-players-in-english-football-history.620289/page-3 Alex Elder is named at 6th whule Tony Dunne finished at 13th. I'm not sure how the rank is accurate but the poster has a great knowledge on British football.

      Delete
    2. OK, I have named Doherty in a reserved squad replace Jimmy Dunne. I see he was inside-left and is not properly stand as a target-man. I also name him in top 10 best Irish players ever. In the same link I give you above, he is rated at 7th best player ever in history of English league.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous3/1/16

    I think Harry Gregg Should be in this squad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. His highlight is known to be the 1958 Word Cup best keeper but his club career is not qualified. Gregg started to play in Top division at his 26 years old and unfortunately his first season with Man Utd saw Munich disaster effect on his condition and out of a large number of games in following seasons.

      Delete
  4. What about Kevin Sheedy? He was a greatly talented left winger who won English First Division twice with Evertone, one European Cup Winners' Cup and reached the quarter finals at the 1990 World Cup with Ireland. He is also the first Irish to score a goal in World Cup finals. He is indeed adored by Everton fans (played alongside fellow winger Trevor Steven)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At the primary check, I think his career has a good potential as a strong candidate but I need to study more. He was selected as PFA player of the year twice but not sure about other seasons.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous20/1/16

    Rep. of Ireland all-time XI (4-2-3-1). In 2015 this list was published in newspaper "The Irish Post".

    GK - 1.Shay Given, 2.Pat Bonner, 3.Alan Kelly.
    LB - 1.Johnny Carey.
    CB - 1.Steve Staunton.
    CB - 1.Paul McGrath (best Ireland defender ever).
    RB - 1.Denis Irwin. also mentions: Paddy Mulligan, Steve Langan, Gary Kelly, Stephen Carr, Steve Finnan.
    MF - 1.Johnny Giles.
    MF - 1.Roy Keane.
    AMF (L) - 1.Damien Duff.
    AMF (C) - 1.Liam Brady.
    AMF (R) - 1.Ray Houghton.
    FW - 1.Robbie Keane.

    "The 32 Greatest Irish Players of All Time". In 2015 this list was published in newspaper "Irish Daily Star".

    1.George Best, 2.Liam Brady, 3.John Giles, 4.Roy Keane, 5.Pat Jennings, 6.Paul McGrath, 7.Robbie Keane, 8.Denis Irwin, 9.Danny Blanchflower, 10.Peter McParland, 11.Frank Stapleton, 12.Johnny Carey, 13.Kevin Moran, 14.Harry Gregg, 15.Damien Duff, 16.Mark Lawrenson, 17.Ronnie Whelan, 18.David O’Leary, 19.Norman Whiteside, 20.Ray Houghton, 21.Martin O’Neill, 22.Richard Dunne, 23.Peter Doherty, 24.Tony Dunne, 25.Billy Bingham, 26.Shay Given, 27.Derek Dougan, 28.Steve Heighway, 29.Sammy McIlroy, 30.Charlie Hurley, 31.David Healy, 32.Steve Staunton.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks again ! The most obvious strange is certainly Irwin ahead of Danny Blanchflower.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous8/10/16

    Where's Danny's brother Jackie. He was hugely rated before the Munich Disaster. He was a very versatile player

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous2/12/16

    martin o neill was a fine player himself

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous20/1/18

    Seamus Coleman has surely surpassed McCracken. One of the best EPL full-backs of recent years in a far thougher era.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think so. McCracken was even one of the best defenders in the World in his time.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous14/5/18

    What about Packy Bonner?

    ReplyDelete
  10. John Aldridge? World class striker for Liverpool in the 90's

    ReplyDelete
  11. PETER DOHERTY ES DE IRLANDA DEL NORTE NO DE LA REPUBLICA DE IRLANDA

    ReplyDelete
  12. Where is Ireland's record holder STEVE STONTON ?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Jimmy Dunne poderia entrar.

    ReplyDelete