Your Greatest Ever Ireland XI....

master-t

Listening to TalkSport today and they were running through their English best XI, got me thinking about our own best XI.

What do you guys think?

I think mine would look something like this.....


Gk - Given

LB - Irwin

CB - McGrath

CB - Dunne

RB - Kelly

ML - Duff

MC - Brady

MC - Keane

MC - Giles

MR - Houghton / Whelan

FW - Keane

My bench consisting of Stapleton, Moran, Staunton and a few others that just missed out......

_blank_

Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen

ollie1

Des wrote: »

Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen

I was just about to do that as well :pac:

flahavaj

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Given

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Irwin

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McGrath----Lawrenson----Hughton

Houghton----Keane

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Brady

---

Duff

---

Stapleton

---

Keane

---

Subs: Moran, G Kelly, Townsend, Aldridge, O'Leary, Bonner, Whelan

Didn't include the likes of Giles or Liam Whelan as I never saw them play, despite them being dead certs for an all-time XI.

SlickRic

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Given

---

Irwin

---

McGrath

---

Moran

---

Staunton

---

Keane

---

---

Brady

---

---Whelan

---

Duff

---

Keane

---

---

Stapleton

---

Subs: Bonner, Dunne, G Kelly, Giles, Houghton, Quinn, Aldridge

Chardee MacDennis

Gk - Given

LB - Irwin
CB - McGrath
CB - Moran
RB - Finnan

ML - Duff
MC - Brady
MC - Keane
MR - Whelan

FW - Keane
FW - Aldridge

Pepe LeFrits

Kelly Sr

Carey Hughton Hand Dunne

Giles Brady Whelan

Givens Stapleton Sheedy

I don't like to include players I've actually seen play because like, footballers from bygone glory days were obviously so much more gifted and will never be bettered.

Pepe LeFrits

Actually, I've changed my mind.

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Aldridge

Duff

---

Houghton

---

Brady

---

Whelan

---

Giles

---

Moran

---

Irwin

---

McGrath

---

Lawrenson

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Given

_blank_

that's a weird formation

Pepe LeFrits

Houghton and Duff just don't know how to play offside.

Guy:Incognito

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Actually, I've changed my mind.

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Aldridge

Duff

---

Houghton

---

Brady

---

Whelan

---

Giles

---

Moran

---

Irwin

---

McGrath

---

Lawrenson

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Given

Have we found the only person ever to watch football that wouldnt have Keane in an Ireland 11? Jesus even Xavi would have a hard time justifying leaveing him out. I doubt any of the 11 in your team would leave him out.

Neil3030

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Jennings

---

---

-Irwin---McGrath---Moran--Staunton

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----Giles

---

Keane

---

Brady---
-Houghton

---

Best

---

---

Stapleton

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Eire 32!! :pac:

Pepe LeFrits

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Have we found the only person ever to watch football that wouldnt have Keane in an Ireland 11? Jesus even Xavi would have a hard time justifying leaveing him out. I doubt any of the 11 in your team would leave him out.

Robbie has a great international record alright, but Aldo was absolutely lethal at club level - different era really.

SlickRic

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Robbie has a great international record alright, but Aldo was absolutely lethal at club level - different era really.

i don't know if you're being ironic with this answer, i think you might be, but just to make sure...i think he meant Roy.

dfx-

Given

McGrath
McCarthy
Moran

Irwin
Brady
Keane
Duff
Hughton

Quinn
Keane

Pepe LeFrits

SlickRic wrote: »

i don't know if you're being ironic with this answer, i think you might be, but just to make sure...i think he meant Roy.

Ah, that was almost as tough a call. Good player with lots of spirit.

homerjay2005

wow, when i saw the thread title, the name roy keane popped into my head straight away and i just knew, somebody would distract the thread into talking about him, by leaving him out. he is, perhaps, the best irish player of all time, his record backs that up, yet he cant even get in somebodys team? baffling and it only took 8 posts. he may have been a bit of a d*ck (nd maybe still is) but you cant ignore his influence to ireland. player of the tournament in 94 for ireland, almost single handidly got them to japan in 02, captained a treble winning side, won 7 league medals (4 as captain) and 4 fa cups, (2 as captain). 9 international goals and possibly, the only player to play for ireland to be truely recognised as one of the best in the world in his position while playing.


have a feelign this will descend into a roy keane bashing thread unfortunately and references to traitor, judas and the like.....:o

he should be the first down on any list.

Gillington

Des wrote: »

that's a weird formation

You've never heard of the 2-2-1-2-2-1 formation? it's all the rage nowadays,Boardeaux should adapt it!

ColeTrain

Kenny

McShane Breen Butler Kilbane

Lapira Green Miller Kennedy

Connolly Doherty

Paul Tergat

homerjay2005 wrote: »

wow, when i saw the thread title, the name roy keane popped into my head straight away and i just knew, somebody would distract the thread into talking about him, by leaving him out. he is, perhaps, the best irish player of all time, his record backs that up, yet he cant even get in somebodys team? baffling and it only took 8 posts. he may have been a bit of a d*ck (nd maybe still is) but you cant ignore his influence to ireland. player of the tournament in 94 for ireland, almost single handidly got them to japan in 02, captained a treble winning side, won 7 league medals (4 as captain) and 4 fa cups, (2 as captain). 9 international goals and possibly, the only player to play for ireland to be truely recognised as one of the best in the world in his position while playing.


have a feelign this will descend into a roy keane bashing thread unfortunately and references to traitor, judas and the like.....:o

he should be the first down on any list.

Best player to play for your country imo. Your post is bang on

tdv123

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Given

---

Irwin

---

McGrath----Lawrenson---Staunton

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Keane

---

---

Giles

---

Whealen

---

---

Brady

---

---

Keane

---

Aldridge

---

Subs: Duff, Houghton, Moran,Sheedy, Quinn

Seaneh

GK: Given

RB: Irwin
LB: Staunton
CB: O'Leary
CB: MCCarthy

MC: Keane
MC: McGrath

RW: Houghton
AMC: Brady
LW: Duff

CF: Keane

I think they'dd do rather well at international level!

pickarooney

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Actually, I've changed my mind.

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Aldridge

Duff

---

Houghton

---

Brady

---

Whelan

---

Giles

---

Moran

---

Irwin

---

McGrath

---

Lawrenson

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Given

You're allowing for a strong right-to-left breeze, I take it?

master-t

pickarooney wrote: »

You're allowing for a strong right-to-left breeze, I take it?

:pac: :pac:

flahavaj

pickarooney wrote: »

You're allowing for a strong right-to-left breeze, I take it?

Or a pitch with a slope, like my old Subutteo table.

premierstone

homerjay2005 wrote: »

wow, when i saw the thread title, the name roy keane popped into my head straight away and i just knew, somebody would distract the thread into talking about him, by leaving him out. he is, perhaps, the best irish player of all time, his record backs that up, yet he cant even get in somebodys team? baffling and it only took 8 posts. he may have been a bit of a d*ck (nd maybe still is) but you cant ignore his influence to ireland. player of the tournament in 94 for ireland, almost single handidly got them to japan in 02, captained a treble winning side, won 7 league medals (4 as captain) and 4 fa cups, (2 as captain). 9 international goals and possibly, the only player to play for ireland to be truely recognised as one of the best in the world in his position while playing.


have a feelign this will descend into a roy keane bashing thread unfortunately and references to traitor, judas and the like.....:o

he should be the first down on any list.

I am no fan of Royston, but tbh anyone who leaves him out of such a selection is either trolling or clueless, one little thing though IMO Paul McGrath was our best player in USA '94.

There is also a serious lack of recognition of Frank Stapelton and Packie Bonner on this thread.

stumpypeeps

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Given

Irwin--McGrath--Lawrenson--O'Shea

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Keane--Giles--Whelan

Heighway

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Brady

---

Quinn

Guy:Incognito

premierstone wrote: »

There is also a serious lack of recognition of Frank Stapelton and Packie Bonner on this thread.

IMO Packie gets really overrated as a result of saving 1 penalty in 1990. Not saying he wasnt a good keeper but he wa sno Dasayev.

premierstone

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

IMO Packie gets really overrated as a result of saving 1 penalty in 1990. Not saying he wasnt a good keeper but he wa sno Dasayev.

He was absolutely immense in Euro '88 in particular against England, and again in Italia '90 against England and Holland.

He's performance against England in Euro '88 is up there with Paul McGrath against Italy in USA '94 as two of the greatest in an Irish shirt... IMO of course.

iregk

pickarooney wrote: »

You're allowing for a strong right-to-left breeze, I take it?

I thought he was doing the rugby team!

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Bonner

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Irwin

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McGrath----Lawrenson---Staunton

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Keane

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Giles

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--Whealan

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Brady

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Keane--

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Aldridge

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W123-80's

Given

Irwin
McGrath
O'Leary
Staunton

Houghton
Brady
Keane
Sheedy

Aldridge
Robbie Keane

ValJester

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Given

---

Finnan

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McGrath----Lawrenson----Irwin

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Giles

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-Brady----Roy Keane

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Duff

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Stapleton

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Robbie Keane

---

ValJester

What about a Greatest Ever All-Ireland XI?

OhNoYouDidn't

Bonner

Irwin
McGrath
Moran
Mulligan


Brady
Giles
Judas Keane
Whelan

Givens
Stapleton


No plastics in my team.

Revolution9

ValJester wrote: »

What about a Greatest Ever All-Ireland XI?

The North has an ambudance of rather extreme left and right wingers for us to choose from.

DEVEREUX

Micks squad for 2002 wc qualifiers.......legends

Hank_Jones

I know leaving out Keane has been mentioned, but what about McGrath?

Italy -94 - complete shutout.

One of only three Irish men to win PFA player of the year. (Keane, Brady)

http://video.ireland.com/video/iLyROoaf8UUL.html

eagle eye

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Given
Irwin--McGrath--Lawrenson--Staunton

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Giles

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Keane
Duff

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Brady

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Sheedy

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Keane

Bonner, Moran, Hughton, Houghton, Whelan, Townsend, Stapleton.

eagle eye

Hank_Jones wrote: »

I know leaving out Keane has been mentioned, but what about McGrath?

Italy -94 - complete shutout.

One of only three Irish men to win PFA player of the year. (Keane, Brady)

http://video.ireland.com/video/iLyROoaf8UUL.html

McGrath is the most underrated footballer in history imo. As far as I'm concerned he is along with Franco Baresi the greatest centre back to play the game in my lifetime.

Baresi actually said McGrath was the best in the world at one time. I think it was sometime after Ireland beat them in the 94 World Cup.

Ordinary man

There should be 4 names in everyone's team automatically - mc grath, keane, irwin and brady. The other 7 are a matter of opinion;)

Jordonvito

Ordinary man wrote: »

There should be 4 names in everyone's team automatically - mc grath, keane x 2, irwin and brady. The other 7 are a matter of opinion;)

fixed, i'm not sure which keane you're leaving out, but both have to be in it

stovelid

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Bonner

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Irwin

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McGrath----Moran

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Stan

Houghton----Roy Keane--Giles

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Whelan

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Chippy

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Stapleton

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OhNoYouDidn't

Jordonvito wrote: »

fixed, i'm not sure which keane you're leaving out, but both have to be in it

Robbie isn't close to the best striker Ireland has had.. Guy is decent and loves playing for Ireland, but not in the same league as Aldridge, Stapleton, Givens etc.

Revolution9

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

Robbie isn't close to the best striker Ireland has had.. Guy is decent and loves playing for Ireland, but not in the same league as Aldridge, Stapleton, Givens etc.

His international record is by far and away more impressive than any other striker to play for us. 46 goals, including competitive goals against Spain, France, Germany and Italy.

OhNoYouDidn't

Revolution9 wrote: »

His international record is by far and away more impressive than any other striker to play for us. 46 goals, including competitive goals against Spain, France, Germany and Italy.

Whats his goal per game ratio? Compare that to the players I listed?

I'm not argung against Robbie per say, but he isn't up there with Giles, Brady and Judas Keane in terms of class.

parker kent

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

Whats his goal per game ratio? Compare that to the players I listed?

I'm not argung against Robbie per say, but he isn't up there with Giles, Brady and Judas Keane in terms of class.

From any perspective you choose, Robbie is Ireland's best goal scorer. The obvious glaring stat is that he has more than double the goals of anybody else who has played for Ireland. But since you want goals per game:

Robbie Keane: 105 games, 46 goals (1 goal every 2.28 games)
Niall Quinn: 92 games, 21 goals (1 goal every 4.38 games)
Frank Stapleton: 71 games, 20 goals (1 goal every 3.55 games)
John Aldridge: 69 games, 19 goals (1 goal every 3.63 games)
Don Givens: 56 games, 19 goals (1 goal every 2.94 games)
Tony Cascarino: 88 games, 19 goals (1 goal every 4.63 games).

Giles, Brady and Roy Keane are midfielders and are not comparable. In my view, McGrath, Irwin, Roy Keane, Giles, Brady and Robbie Keane are dead certs. Liam Whelan probably would have ended up one too only for Munich (although I'm obviously saying that based on books, experts' opinions and his record at United).

stovelid

Stapo was less prolific than Robbie but a more versatile player.

I would have put him and Robbie in only I wanted to get Giles, Brady and Roy into the same midfield.

parker kent

stovelid wrote: »

Stapo was less prolific than Robbie but a more versatile player.

I would have put him and Robbie in only I wanted to get Giles, Brady and Roy into the same midfield.

Yeah I'd agree with that. In a real world team, you'd have to try both out and see what works. A Keane/Stapleton partnership probably would have worked pretty well. In this scenario, Brady could maybe move out to the left wing (not my preferred choice though). Stapleton is likely to suit playing up front on his own better than Keane.

But a young Keane playing in a team that keeps the ball on the ground would probably do well. A Keane/Giles/Brady midfield with 2 good wingers like Duff or Sheedy would be able to play football to suit Robbie Keane.

You could say either of them would suit pretty well. But since it is Ireland's best ever XI, I find it difficult to leave out our best ever goalscorer.

oconnon9

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

Bonner

Irwin
McGrath
Moran
Mulligan


Brady
Giles
Judas Keane
Whelan

Givens
Stapleton


No plastics in my team.

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

Whats his goal per game ratio? Compare that to the players I listed?

I'm not argung against Robbie per say, but he isn't up there with Giles, Brady and Judas Keane in terms of class.

Yawn.... we get the picture

AgileMyth

I was born in 1990, the day after we were knocked out! Can't say I remember too many of the 1990-1994 squads
From what I've seen:

Given
Staunton
McGrath
Dunne
Irwin

Duff
Keane
Carsley
Ireland(Yeah, I said it)
McAteer

Keane

Dempsey

This is going to be a tough team to pick but my greatest 11 would be

GK: Given
RB: Irwin
LB: Staunton
CB: McGrath
CB: Moran
DM: Keane
CM: Giles
CM: Brady
RW: Duff
LW: Whelan
CF: Keane

These teams of the year, greatest ever XI's rarely achieve a balance and mine is no exception particularly trying to accommodate the great midfielders we had. I went with a Mourinho style 4-1-2-2-1. Alot of good Irish Internationals left out too but as chippy said last Saturday you can only have 11 not 15!!