Who was the best Irish right back of the last 20 odd years. I’m not asking who had the best career or who was most successful. Who was the best right back all in allin terms of ability and performance
0 voters
At his peak Stephen Carr and it’s a no contest. A very short peak though. But that’s not the question
I’m more leaning towards Finnan. I think.
Carr. Next question.
Steve Finnan.
Four of the five had very high points in their careers where they were the best right back in England while O’Shea was a regular right back on an excellent United side and was one of their few players to play well in the 2009/2010 champions league final
It’s a pity Coleman never left Everton. He had the potential to be an all time great. Injuries have fucked him of late, but even before that he’d stagnated as a player.
Kelly was a fantastic pro and as an overall career he’d be in the conversation, but never hit massive peaks.
O’Shea had a fantastic career, great longevity etc and probably underrated in Ireland but wasn’t as good as the other two for me.
Finnan was better than Carr over the course of most of his career. Played in every league in England on the way up which is an unbelievable feat.
Carr though was like the Coronavirus when no action is taken to halt it, he peaked with furious effect before burning out. Think he broke a leg? Finnan had a flatter curve but a much better career overall. So did O’Shea and probably Kelly and maybe even Coleman. But for a brief window Carr was unraleable
For peak performance;
Carr
Finnan
Coleman
O’Shea
Kelly
For overall Career;
Finnan
O’Shea
Kelly
Coleman
Carr
Ah here there’s no way Finnan had a better career than o Shea 
come on. O Shea won five leagues and a champions league. Played in another final too.
If it’s based on how they played for Ireland then Finnan wins hands down. Never had a poor game from memory. O’Shea not really a right back. Kelly was solid but not as good as Finnan. Carr was always injured.
O Shea was a brilliant at centre back for Ireland. He wasn’t really a right back alright but he had an impressive career at man united filling in at left back, centre back and right back. Doubt there is too many Irish players with his medal haul.
John O’Shea only started playing well for Ireland when he left Man Utd, a brilliant centre half he was not
He was brilliant for Ireland at centre back. Just over shadowed by Dunne at times. O Shea arguably had the best career of any Irish player since Roy Keane. Robbie keane never really won anything.
He only regularly played for Ireland at centre back in the tail end of his career. Up to and including Euro 2012 he was on the right or left most of the time. He was centre half for the very poor 2014 qualification and was taken out of the team after that Belgium game in 2016
I don’t care about what kind of career he had outside of Ireland
It depends on whether you consider being a bit part player more impressive than being an ever present
So you’ve agreed with me. When he was moved to centre for Ireland he was very good. As I said he wasn’t really a full back albeit done really well for man united filling in for Neville and evra.
Kelly was brilliant at the start and a breath of fresh air but fell away too quickly.
Always thought Finnan was a solid player but not much better than that. O’Shea and Coleman were better for me. So was Carr but he annoyed me terribly playing for Ireland.
O Shea played a lot for man united. Started champions league semi finals. He was usually filling in but he started quite a lot.