Was that the lad with the long hair and the headband who came on that day? A very good shout if I remember the lad correctly, wasn’t he playing college “soccer” over in the US or something?
Worst starting XI from my memory
Kenny
Paul Butler, Kernaghan, Phelan
Thomas Butler, Alan O’Brien
Glen Crowe, Jon Macken, Cillian Sheridan,
Right back & midfielder needed.
Paul McShane and Jon Douglas
Far worse players than Phelan played, Ward for one
On what criteria would Terry Phelan be included in a “Worst Irish XI”? Being black?
David Connelly was pretty poor, as was Alan Mcloughlin.
Harsh on Phelan
to answer my own question
forde (maybe peyton?)
mcshane, kernaghan, o’dea, ward
green, mcloughlin, G whelan
coyne, connolly, slaven
Paul Green for me, rubbish. Gerry Payton was ok, just played at a low level for his club. Terry Phelan was a type player who played some dodgy games. Seamus MacDonagh for me or “divealot” as he was referred to in our house. I think he and the FAI were the reason why that great collection of players from the early 80’s didn’t get to Spain and France. Eoin Hand was a bit out of his comfort zone but at least he had us playing football
was Peyton with Bournemouth for most of his career ? i can remember him also being a sub keeper with west ham as well, i could never remember him getting much game time really, he was ever present on the bench when Jack was in charge.
I think that’s harsh on Phelan also and also Mcloughlin as his goal got us to USA 94.
surely someone must think of Phil Babb.?
mccgraff
a few decent games covered the fact he was a journeyman english footballer that drank too much and bet up his wife
Irwin - woeful technically- the only time you saw him was when he was moaning at the ref
I think some lads are being a bit harsh here on some of the players mentioned through the thread, especially the guys that only got a couple of caps or maybe just played once. They may have been called up to go on some good forsaken end of season tour to the US or something like that, where half the players in the regular squad had pulled out. I think if you are going to go for the Republic of Irelands worst player you would have to consider those players that got over 10 caps or were/are regularly called into the squads, based on these sound reason I am going to nominate John O’Shea. O’Shea has spend most of his career at supposedly the best club in Europe, has won premier league, Champions league and even a world club cup. He has even captained Manchester United on occasion, however I have never ever seen him put in a good performance for Ireland. I cant even remember a game where he stood head and shoulders above every other player on the pitch, even McShane achieved that and yet he is always named in the starting 11 no matter how shit he plays.
Paddy Kenny would be a close second but he had mental issues. I suppose Phil Babb would be up there but only after McGrath retired and he had no one beside him to tell him where to go and what to do. Last but by no means least is McShane, the guy made one hell of debut but since that day it has been all down hill and the guy is a liability on the pitch and as it seems off it considering his hatchet job on Keane in training last week, putting Keane out of the German game, which was probably a blessing in disguise for Keane.
Just trying to think back to see if there were any worse players than those and they are the only ones that really stick out. Most Irish teams going back to Eoin Hand or John Giles were solid and competitive. I think the weakest player there was probably Seamus McDonagh the goal keeper but thats about it. I think Jack Charlton probably had the golden era of Irish players and Mick McCarthy did well to rebuild the squad after Jack had left. Kerr was alright but he was so negative, the less said about Staunton the better and Trap well he did do a go job to turn us around after Staunton but I still think that he lost the players after that night in Paris.
EPL player of the year winner and multiple EPL title and CL winner. Must try harder I’d say
Another Glasgow Celtic old bhoy Liam Miller was really shit also.
Meyler injured Keane last week, not McShane.
you obviously dont watch the A league mate?
Irwin
he was the main reason that utd team didnt win more
the continentals spotted it straight away
Watched Emile burn it up at the weekend. Del Piero with TFK for Sydney.
Correct on both counts. I was on the phone posting that post and couldn’t for the life of me spell Bounemouth but yes, he was there and at West Ham for a short stint. We have fuck all goalkeepers around that time. Alan Kelly came along, his brother was playing around then too.
Can’t believe no one has mentioned Glenn Whelan yet. Surely the worst player to get the guts of 50 caps for us.
Of the guys who had just a few caps, Alan O’Brien stands out for me because there was a time when he had more international caps than first-team appearances for Newcastle (he got 5 in total) and he actually played in some important games, rather than just friendlies or the last two minutes of a qualifier against the likes of Liechtenstein or whoever. Finally, he was in my primary school and I remember being told that he was to come back one day to give out awards or somesuch but (allegedly) never showed up, big shot that he was at the time.
I also suspect him of pinching nice goalie gloves which I accidentally left in the yard one day when I was in 6th class.
Alan O’Brien’s stats:
Personal information Full name Alan O’Brien Date of birth (1985-02-20) 20 February 1985 (age 27) Place of birth [Dublin[/url], Ireland Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) Playing position Winger Youth career 2001–2004 Newcastle United Senior career* Years Team Apps[sup][size=“2”]†[/size][/sup] b[sup][size=“2”]†[/size][/sup][/b] 2004–2007 Newcastle United 5 (0) 2005 → Carlisle United (loan) 5 (1) 2007–2009 Hibernian 47 (0) 2009–2011 Swindon Town 30 (0) 2011–2012 Yeovil Town 13 (0) 2012 Gateshead 12 (0) National team[sup][size=“2”]‡[/size][/sup] 2006–2007 [url=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Ireland_national_football_team”]Republic of Ireland](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublin) 5 (0)
Eddie McGoldrick. I think he even played for Arsenal at one stage. What a bad player. As mentioned Alan Kernaghan was truly woeful as was Paul Butler.
Richie Sadlier.
Touted as the next best thing when a horrific injury saved his media career