Irelands Best ever soccer player

frankly · 30-01-2002 1:30pm #1

Best player ever to play for Ireland?

There has been many great players for Ireland but who is the Best? I have narrowed it down to four John Giles, Liam Brady, Paul McGrath and Roy Keane and just for the younger members,

Johnny Giles was a member of the great Leeds team under Don Revie and is accepted as one of their all time greats. Tough as nails and fiery with it but a great passer of the ball.

Liam Brady truly brilliant player and one of the very few players from the English league to be a success in Italy. Played with Arsenal, Inter-Milan & Sampdoria.

Paul McGrath, Mr.Cool always seemed to have time on the ball, never let Ireland down and another World Class player.

Roy Keane, no description needed.

Having seen all these players play live (well I am in my 50¡¯s) I would say Roy Keane is the Best ever. Do you agree or do you know any better?

gandalf · 30-01-2002 1:44pm

Well this is a tough one but I go with my gut here and its "Chippie" Brady a truely inspirational player. But it was close one with Roy Keane & Paul McGrath unfortunately I haven't seen enough of Giles actually playing to make a decision on him.

If todays team had a creative midfielder anywhere near as gifted as Brady Ireland would stand a good chance of winning the WC.

Gandalf.

ramius · 30-01-2002 1:58pm

Had to be Roy Keane, the heart and soul of ireland. I think he will win this poll by a mile.

WhiteWashMan · 30-01-2002 2:00pm

i saw liam brady score that wonderful goal against brazil many years ago when we beat them 1 - 0 at lansdown road.
im voing for roy keane, but only because stephen carr isnt there....

Yerac · 30-01-2002 2:05pm

I'd have to give it to Paul McGrath, he proved himself at the top stage, who can forget him against Italy in New York. Also the way he responded to his problems especially the way he left United, most players would have just faded away.
Liam Brady has to be recognised for also being world class. I think Keane still has to prove to me he's good enough, and actually decide to turn up for Ireland's important games (Iran away).

yop · 30-01-2002 2:11pm

Ireland could always survive without the other brady, giles or McGrath, I do not think we could without him.

He is the all round player, defends, holds midfield and attacks.

World beater on his own

dobdobdo · 30-01-2002 2:53pm

Could be a trick question? and the answer is in it.
Irelands BEST ever soccer player - George Best and before you all start screaming

Bestie played in an All Ireland Team againt the BRAZILIANS (which included PELE) at Lansdowne Road in aid of some charity event in the late 70's. In ended in a draw 3-3 or 4-4 and Best was the Best to come out of Ireland.

frankly · 30-01-2002 5:47pm

No it was'nt a trick question and you are quite correct dobdobdo George Best did play in an all Ireland Team but it was only a friendly and i'm not too sure caps were awarded? Having seen Best play 6-7 times tough, he was easily the best player ever. Don't get me wrong i'm not one who thinks players from a past era were better, they were'nt,it just that old foggies like to think they were?
So I still think that Roy Keane is the best player to play for the ROI ever.

Niallmac · 30-01-2002 7:05pm

A very good question. I had to give it to Keane, although that may in part be due to his exploits being fresher in the mind. But he can just grab a game and start controlling it either at club level or international.

Mc Grath was a great player but did lack slightly in professionalism, while Brady rarely dominated a game in the same way Keane does. Sadly I have only seen old scraps of video footage on Giles so I cannot comment.

Mountjoy Mugger · 30-01-2002 7:17pm

Giles - without a doubt.

Bloody Drunkard · 30-01-2002 7:48pm

I say McGrath

And Keano is a close second

However i think Frank Stapleton should be ther instead of Giles

nore · 31-01-2002 11:23am

Has to be Roy Keane. He's been there or thereabouts as the outstanding central midfielder in England for close on 10 years now. And there's no sign of him flagging...

FreaK_BrutheR · 31-01-2002 11:31am

Well my personal FAVOURITE was John Aldridge.

I'd give it to Keane

very little knowledge of Giles cept a few clips here and there.

McGrath is damn fine as is Brady but there ya go....

Xterminator · 31-01-2002 11:45am

I reckon Paul Mcgrath was so underrated it was a sin!

He was The Best Defender in Italia 90.

Of all the best players, in that position in all the world, he showed them how it is done.

Now i'm a great Roy Keane fan, and may shine in this yrs world cup, but up till now he has not been the best midfielder in any of his world cup trips. (yet)

Thats my vote for Mcgrath

I never saw Giles or Brady enough to rank them.

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