Some of the best the beautiful game has had in Northern Ireland players now head off into different stratospheres, earning places among the elite of the game.
Northern Ireland has had its share of golden eras, none bigger than the 1980s highlighted by World Cup qualifications and British Home Championships victories.
Despite Northern Ireland being a small country, there have been some real gems unearthed over the years in football. For a country whose population barely exceeds 1.8 million, they do try to punch well above their weight on the international stage.
However, it is not just the heroes of yesteryear that make their mark on our list of the 10 greatest Northern Irishmen to ever grace the game, but also some modern-day stars, proving the legacy of the rich footballing tradition that is Northern Ireland lives on well.
Ranking factors:
- Duration of career
- International appearances
- International Legacy
Now, into the thick of things.
1. George Best
You can’t have a conversation about the best players Northern Ireland has produced without first leading with the name George Best – the man who to so many transcends football itself.
Born in Belfast, he was a product of Manchester United’s youth system when he joined the club in 1961 at just 15 years old.
At 17, he had already become a member of the first team. Not long into his career, Best’s name became an almost repetitive mantra from fans in impressing them and pestering opponents with flair, agility, and grace.
Best wasn’t just a Manchester United legend; he was an icon of the game.
He sent many defenders into-looking-like-fools counts due to his breathtaking dribbling and blistering pace. Even Brazilian legend Pelé once said George Best was the best footballer he ever saw.
Internationally, he had 37 caps for Northern Ireland, an alarmingly low number, considering the fact that Northern Ireland’s national team did not possess the quality to bring out Best’s talent onto the biggest stages.
Nonetheless, he left a permanent mark on the sport. Tragically, Best’s personal life was marred by a battle with alcoholism, and he died in 2005, but his legacy lives on.
2. Pat Jennings
A goalkeeper who had been in service for over two decades, he was one of the greatest keepers to have played the game. Jennings made 119 appearances for Northern Ireland-the most by any goalkeeper for the nation, his longevity speaks volumes about his quality between the sticks.
Standing 6’1″, Jennings combined size with astonishing agility, making him virtually unbeatable in his heyday.
Not only that, he also won crosses one-handed iconic and fearless attribute that very few keepers dared try. Notably, Jennings was the first goalie to scoop the PFA Player of the Year award in 1976.
Domestically, he enjoyed a glittering club career.
With Tottenham Hotspur, he won FA Cups and a UEFA Cup before moving on to their arch-rivals Arsenal. Approaching 40 years of age, he continued to play at the highest level, even going on to be the oldest player in a World Cup when playing in the 1986 tournament aged 41.
3. David Healy
Going through the goal-scoring exploits, there has never been anyone quite like David Healy in Northern Irish history.
He stands as comfortably the country’s top scorer, netting 36 international goals. While Healy’s club career may have not reached such heights as with some of the others on this list, his international performances were awesome.
His crowning moment was a hat-trick in a famous 3-2 victory over Spain during a 2008 Euro qualifier. He was an ultra-clinical poacher at the height of his powers with a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
He also had spells with Leeds United and Fulham, but the most salient achievements he had were while donning Northern Ireland’s green and white.
4. Danny Blanchflower
Before Northern Ireland’s modern stars, Danny Blanchflower was setting the bar high for further generations.
The central midfielder was the heartbeat of the Northern Ireland side which reached the quarterfinals of the 1958 World Cup, still the nation’s best finish in a major international tournament.
The influence of Blanchflower did not stop at his national side, as many would have him down as one of the all-time greats at Tottenham Hotspur, having captained them to a league and cup double in 1961 and another FA Cup in 1962.
He was different because he had tactical intelligence, leadership, and the ability to pass which set him apart and made him one of the most respected midfielders in football during his time.
5. Steven Davis
Any list of Northern Ireland greats would not be complete without mentioning Steven Davis, the most-capped player in the nation’s history. Over 136 appearances, Davis epitomized consistency, leadership, and a work ethic that is the stuff of footballing folklore.
A box-to-box midfielder with an eye for a killer pass, Davis had long spells at Aston Villa, Fulham, Southampton, and Rangers.
At club level, he picked up four Scottish Premiership titles with Rangers, adding to his status as one of the most reliable midfielders in the UK over the last twenty years.
As captain of Northern Ireland, Davis led the nation into their first-ever European Championship in 2016-a milestone in Northern Irish football.
6. Norman Whiteside
Whiteside was one of those prodigious talents that burst onto the scene when still very young.
He made his World Cup debut for Northern Ireland at just 17 years and 40 days old, which still makes him the youngest player ever to have featured in a World Cup.
The major part of his club career fell to Manchester United, with whom he won two FA Cups and was widely regarded as one of the physically and technically adept forwards. Unfortunately, a spate of knee injuries ended his career at age 26.
Although his career was curtailed, Whiteside remains one of the iconic figures in Northern Irish football.
7. Jonny Evans
Still going strong as of 2024, Jonny Evans has been one of the rocks in defense for both Northern Ireland and his various club teams.
Growing up and starting off with Manchester United, Evans won a few Premier League titles, as he went on to play with West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City, proving himself among the most reliable centre-backs in the English top flight.
His international career is equally impressive, having made over 100 caps for Northern Ireland in nearly twenty years, with Evans being an automatic first choice at the back as he marshals the defence with calm assurance.
His defensive skills, leadership, and tactical awareness have notched him among the all-time greats of Northern Ireland.
8. Martin O’Neill
Before he was a famous manager himself, Martin O’Neill was a very good player in his own right.
A dynamic midfielder, O’Neill is best remembered for his time at Nottingham Forest under the legendary Brian Clough, where he won back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980.
O’Neill was an important cog in that Clough side, which gained energy, creativity and defensive grit in equal measure. He received 69 caps and scored 9 times for Northern Ireland.
Following his playing retirement, O’Neill turned his attention to management and enjoyed further success with clubs like Celtic and Aston Villa.
9. Gareth McAuley
The towering centre-back will most fondly be remembered for his contributions to Northern Ireland’s historic Euro 2016 campaign.
It was McAuley who scored Northern Ireland’s first-ever goal in a European Championship, his powerful header against Ukraine etching himself into the annals of Northern Irish football history.
A late developer, he didn’t make his top-flight debut until the age of 31, but he certainly made up for lost time with displays in the Premier League for West Bromwich Albion.
Strong and uncompromising at the back, he was a regular for Northern Ireland-80 caps and nine international goals.
10. Aaron Hughes
Aaron Hughes completes this list as one of Northern Ireland’s most dependable and consistent performers.
A versatile defender who played across Europe’s top leagues for clubs like Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and Fulham, he helped the latter reach the Europa League final in 2010.
With 112 international caps, Hughes is Northern Ireland’s third-most-capped player of all time.
His leadership and experience, added to his defensive intelligence, have made him a mainstay in the Northern Irish team for two decades.
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