Irish soccer has a rich history filled with remarkable talent, passion, and unforgettable moments. From the early years to the present day, Ireland has produced exceptional footballers who have left an indelible mark on the beautiful game.
This offers a deeper understanding of the impact these players have had on their clubs and the international soccer stage, while also shedding light on the unique characteristics and strengths that define Irish soccer players.
In this article, we pay tribute to 10 of the greatest Irish soccer players of all time, recognizing their contributions, achievements, and lasting legacy.
Whether you’re a passionate follower of soccer or just curious about the talent emerging from Ireland, this post is a valuable reference to explore and appreciate the contributions of these players.
10 Best Ireland Footballers In History
George Best
Ranked at the top of the list of the greatest Irish footballers of all time, George Best was a Northern Irish player known for his illustrious career majorly at Manchester United.
Over his extensive soccer journey, which spanned more than 15 clubs, Best’s most significant contributions were made during his 11-year tenure at Man Utd from 1963 to 1974.
While he had short stints at other clubs, his loyalty and impact were most evident at Manchester United.
Operating as an attacking midfielder, George Best made a notable 470 appearances for Manchester United, showing his remarkable skills and scoring prowess.
With a total of 179 goals, he averaged nearly two goals in every five appearances.
His impact extended to the international stage as well, representing the Northern Ireland national team in 37 matches and scoring nine goals between 1964 and 1977.
Renowned as one of the greatest dribblers in soccer history, George Best possessed an extraordinary talent for evading defenders with finesse and skill.
Danny Blanchflower
Throughout his career spanning from 1946 to 1965, Blanchflower dedicated the majority of his playing years to two esteemed English clubs, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.
Majorly operating as a defensive midfielder on the right wing, his leadership skills also led him to captain the Tottenham squad for a period of time.
All of his club triumphs occurred during his tenure at Tottenham.
He played a big role in securing the Football League First Division title during the 1960-61 season and contributed significantly to two FA Cup victories in the 1960-61 and 1961-62 seasons.
Renowned for his defensive prowess and precise passing abilities, his contributions to Tottenham’s success were duly recognized.
In 2012, Bleacher Report acknowledged him as the greatest footballer in Tottenham’s history, highlighting his exceptional skills and impact on the club.
One of Blanchflower’s famous quotes reflects his unique perspective on the game.
He emphasized his focus on thrilling the crowd with the artistry displayed on the pitch rather than being solely concerned with winning or losing matches.
Liam Brady
Brady had an impressive career, playing for several well-known clubs, such as West Ham United, Ascoli Calcio, Arsenal, UC Sampdoria, Juventus, and Inter Milan.
Throughout his career, he showed his skill and versatility, netting 53 goals and providing seven assists in a total of 357 appearances.
While Brady’s trophy cabinet may not be overflowing, he did manage to secure three major club honors. He played a big role in winning two Serie A titles with Juventus and added an FA Cup triumph to his resume during his time with Arsenal.
Despite the limited number of collective trophies, Brady’s individual success is highly esteemed. He was honored as Arsenal’s Player of the Year for three consecutive years, specifically in 1977, 1978, and 1979.
In recognition of his exceptional contributions to soccer, he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
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Joe Bambrick
One fascinating aspect of Bambrick’s career is that, despite not winning any club or individual trophies, he had an exceptional talent for scoring goals.
He belonged to a rare group of soccer players whose goal tally surpassed their number of appearances.
The late Irish player achieved an impressive feat by scoring 364 goals in just 299 appearances during his relatively short 13-year career with Glentoran, Linfield, Chelsea, and Walsall.
This averages out to an impressive 1.2 goals per game.
His ability to score goals wasn’t limited to his club performances; he also showcased his skills while representing the Irish national team.
Although he earned a modest 11 caps for his country, he managed to score 12 goals. This further emphasizes his remarkable goal-to-appearance ratio, surpassing the one-goal mark.
Bambrick had his most notable moments with Chelsea, where he made a significant impact as a top goal scorer.
He achieved something extraordinary by scoring four hat-tricks for the club. In two of those instances, he single-handedly scored all four goals in a single match, demonstrating his amazing talent for finding the back of the net.
Roy Keane
Dubbed as the greatest captain in the history of Manchester United.
He excelled as a defensive midfielder, displaying his skill and prowess on the field. Throughout his career, he represented Ireland on 67 occasions, scoring ten goals. On July 1, 2006, he bid farewell to the world of professional football, retiring from the game.
With over 606 appearances, he made a big impact scoring 77 goals and providing 42 assists. His remarkable contributions have solidified his status as one of the finest former Irish players, leaving a solid footprint.
Recognized as one of the premier midfielders of his generation, Roy Keane’s trophy cabinet is adorned with several successes, achieved during his time at Manchester United.
He won an impressive seven Premier League titles with the club, highlighting his vital role in their success.
Roy Keane’s commanding presence, exceptional skills, and undeniable success make him a legendary figure in both Manchester United and Irish football history.
His contributions to the sport continue to inspire and captivate fans, ensuring his place among the all-time greats.
Robbie Keane
A renowned Irish soccer player, who retired from professional football in 2018.
Throughout his career, he served a total of 11 clubs, including prestigious Premier League teams such as Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. He also dedicated 18 years to representing the Irish national team, from 1998 to 2016, accumulating 146 appearances and an impressive 68 goals.
He holds the record of being the most-capped Irish soccer player and the all-time leading goalscorer for the country. It is no surprise that he is widely regarded as one of the most famous Irish football players in history.
To this day, Robbie Keane’s records for the Irish national team remain unbroken, a fact of his skills and lasting impact.
His impressive career, remarkable goal-scoring ability, and several achievements have solidified his status as a revered figure in Irish football.
His contributions to the game continue to inspire fans, ensuring his place among the all-time greats.
John Giles
Despite enjoying a lengthy and impressive career at several clubs, fell far short of achieving the same level of international recognition as Robbie Keane.
Giles received the honor of representing his country on only 59 occasions, a figure that pales in comparison to Keane’s impressive number of caps. In fact, Giles’ tally is less than half of what Keane accomplished throughout his career.
Giles, majorly renowned as a former player of Leeds United, left a strong mark on the club during the 1960s and 1970s.
His partnership with the esteemed Scottish footballer Billy Bremner proved instrumental in bringing a multitude of major trophies to Leeds United, propelling the team to a remarkable era of triumph and success.
The duo’s exceptional on-field chemistry and remarkable performances contributed majorly to the club’s history.
Giles decided to hang up his boots on July 1, 1983.
Jimmy Mcilroy
Jimmy McIlroy was a versatile player who excelled as a forward and attacking midfielder throughout his career.
His longest tenure was at Burnley, where he played for an impressive 13 years from 1950 to 1963.
Although he had short stints with Stoke City, Oldham Athletic, and Glentoran, an Irish club, they were brief, lasting only a year or two.
McIlroy is widely considered one of Burnley’s greatest players, having made a remarkable 497 appearances and scoring 131 goals during his time at the club.
McIlroy played a key part in Burnley’s success, most notably helping the team secure the First Division title, which was the highest level of English football at the time, during the 1959-1960 season.
Representing the Northern Ireland national team from 1951 to 1965, McIlroy earned 55 caps and scored 10 goals for his country. His talent and contributions were instrumental in the national team’s achievements.
Paul McGrath
Throughout his career, Paul McGrath played for several teams, including Hibernians FC, Sheffield United, and Derby County.
However, the majority of his club career was spent at two prominent English clubs, Manchester United and Aston Villa, each for a period of seven years between 1982 and 1996.
It’s worth noting that McGrath played more games for Aston Villa than he did for Manchester United, with a difference of around 100 appearances.
McGrath’s contributions extended beyond his club career. He was a crucial member of the Irish national team, especially during two significant World Cup tournaments.
In the 1990 World Cup, Ireland made it to the quarter-finals, thanks in large part to McGrath’s defensive skills and presence on the field.
He also played a key role in Ireland’s victory over Italy in the group stage of the 1994 World Cup, despite carrying a knee injury. His outstanding defensive performance in that match was remarkable.
Between 1985 and 1997, McGrath earned 83 international caps for the Irish national team.
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Shay Given
An esteemed goalkeeper who proudly represented Ireland with a remarkable 134 international caps, he established himself as one of the finest players in Irish football history.
During his prime, Shay Given stood out as one of the Premier League’s exceptional goalkeepers, making the art of shot-stopping appear effortless. He showed his skills and abilities while playing for prominent English clubs like Newcastle United and Manchester City.
Given’s contribution extended to the international stage, where he became a stalwart for the Irish national team.
His longevity and dedication to the national team are testaments to his remarkable career.
Shay Given’s success, both at the club level and while representing Ireland, solidify his place as a highly respected and talented goalkeeper.
Denis Irwin
A highly skilled player, is one of the greatest Irish soccer ever.
He is particularly known for his success, having won an impressive 19 trophies in his career, which makes him the most accomplished Irish footballer alongside Roy Keane.
Irwin played as a defender for four notable English clubs: Leeds United, Oldham Athletic, Manchester United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
However, it was during his 12-year spell at Manchester United from 1990 to 2002 that he made the biggest impact. Manchester United became strongly associated with Irwin due to his contributions and achievements.
Throughout his time at Manchester United, Irwin amassed an outstanding collection of 18 club trophies, including seven Premier League titles.
His consistent performances and reliability on the field earned him a regular place in the Manchester United lineup. He was regarded as a vital part of the team during the 1990s, and legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson considered him one of his best signings ever.
His career and several achievements, both at the club and individual levels, cement his status as a highly respected footballer and a true icon in Irish soccer history.
Other Notable Irish Footballers In History
- Johnny Carey
- Pat Jennings
- Damien Duff
- John O’Shea
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