John O’Shea will make his 118th and final appearance for the Republic of Ireland on Saturday evening.
Seventeen years after making his Ireland debut, the former Manchester United defender will bow out of international football after the friendly against the United States at the Aviva Stadium.
The Waterford native has had a brilliant career. He played almost 400-times for United and won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and three League Cups. In an era when Irish players are becoming increasingly rare at the top-level of the English game, O’Shea’s achievements may never be bettered.
Since winning his first cap for Ireland against Croatia in 2001, O’Shea has been a stalwart. A versatile, intelligent and dependable player, valued by managers, players and fans alike, the defender featured at two European Championships and scored one of the most memorable Irish goals ever when he equalised against Germany in injury-time back in 2014.
He also played alongside some of the best footballers Ireland has produced. He’s an XI of the best players (including O’Shea) that the Waterford man featured alongside for the Republic of Ireland.
In goal, it has to be Shay Given. The Donegal ‘keeper was one of the best in his position in the Premier League during his prime and saved Ireland on several occasions. An agile shot-stopper, Given made 134 appearances for the national team across a 20-year international career.
At right-back, Steve Finnan gets the nod. The former full-back won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and was a key player for Ireland at the 2002 World Cup.
In central defence, Richard Dunne and Steve Staunton start. Dunne was a brilliant player for Ireland, particularly under Giovanni Trapattoni in the campaigns to qualify for the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. His heroic performance against Russia in 2011 was reminiscent of Paul McGrath’s display against Italy in 1994 and he was Ireland’s most important player alongside Robbie Keane during those years.
A deceptively quick player, who read the game extremely well, Dunne was arguably underrated across the water but was always appreciated by Irish fans.
Staunton’s best performances for Ireland came at left-back, but he has been picked at centre-half in this team because of his displays in the position at the 2002 World Cup. Staunton won 102 caps for the national team and his leadership was vital to Ireland in the tournament. The less said about his stint as Ireland manager the better, but no-one can deny his status as one of the countrty’s best footballers of the last 30 years.
At left-back, Ian Harte has been selected, (partly because O’Shea didn’t play alongside Denis Irwin for Ireland). At his peak, Harte was one of the best full-backs in the Premier League. The former Leeds United defender scored an impressive 12 goals in 64 caps for Ireland and was a constant threat from dead-ball situations.
In midfield, O’Shea starts. His best position was central defence, but he was capable of playing in midfield during his prime and his versatility was key to his longevity and success as a footballer.
Alongside O’Shea, we’ve picked Roy Keane. The former United captain is among the best footballers the country has ever produced. Famed for his leadership qualities, his drive and intensity, Keane was also a brilliant footballer. An excellent passer who read the game well, Keane effectively dragged Ireland to the 2002 World Cup.
Ahead of them, Wes Hoolahan starts. The Dubliner was a gifted footballer who should have won more than the 43 caps he ended up earning. However, he made his presence felt when he eventually got his chance. Of the 14 goals Ireland have scored at major international tournaments, Hoolahan is directly responsible for two of them.
He scored a wonderful soaring strike with his right foot against Sweden at Euro 2016 and then set-up Robbie Brady’s winning goal against Italy with a pinpoint cross.
On the right-wing, we’ve moved Seamus Coleman forward from his natural position at right-back. The Ireland captain has been a wonderful attacking outlet for Everton and it would be criminal to omit him from this team. On the left, Damien Duff starts. The former Chelsea winger is one of the best footballers ever to come from these shores and would make the starting line-up of any Ireland best XI.
Robbie Keane starts up-front. In 146 appearances for Ireland, Keane scored an astonishing 68 goals – a record that will never be beaten. The former Tottenham and Liverpool striker’s goals weren’t a by-product of him always starting for Ireland. Keane was a fantastic, intelligent footballer. His movement and finishing were world-class and he never let Ireland down.
Here’s the XI:
