NOEL KING’S TEAM selection against Germany last Friday caused much consternation.
Many commentators were subsequently left questioning his tactics and player selection policy.
And while it has been particularly prominent of late, the ‘why isn’t player x playing?’ complaint is hardly a new phenomenon. In fact, it has been a recurring theme within the Irish set-up for several decades.
Below are 15 of the most memorable occasions when critics have been left scratching their heads.
1. John Giles
(Pa Photos/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
What happened? Back in Giles’ time, the Irish team was picked by a much-reviled FAI panel rather than a manager. Hence, there tended to be some eccentric decision-making, including the Leeds legend at one stage being left out to accommodate the one League of Ireland player that had to be chosen in each team of the time.
2. Liam Brady
(INPHO/Billy Stickland)
What happened? Liam Brady was reluctant to embrace Jack Charlton’s direct style of football, and as a result, he was eventually ousted from the team by the Englishman and retired after the manager famously subbed him before half-time in a friendly with West Germany.
3. David O’Leary
(INPHO/Billy Stickland)
What happened? O’Leary was made to pay, as he was banished from the squad after refusing to make himself available for an end-of-season friendly tournament. He later returned and dramatically scored the winning penalty for Ireland during their famous second-round 1990 World Cup match with Romania.
4. Ronnie Whelan
(INPHO/Billy Stickland)
What happened? Many critics felt the talented Liverpool midfielder was under-used during the Charlton era because (like Brady) of his creatively inclined ways. Therefore, Whelan was only a peripheral member of the 1990 World Cup team.
5. Frank Stapleton
(INPHO)
What happened? Another player who Charlton seemed reluctant to trust. In the late 80s and early 90s, Stapleton was easily Ireland’s most skillful forward. However, the more physically robust likes of Tony Cascarino and Niall Quinn were often preferred to him.
6. Denis Irwin
(INPHO/Billy Stickland)
What happened? Despite being invariably regarded as Ireland’s finest full-back, Irwin wasn’t always first choice under Mick McCarthy, with the then-Irish boss controversially telling the Man United legend to “prove himself” and sometimes picking Jeff Kenna among others ahead of him.
7. Roy Keane
(INPHO/Billy Stickland)
What happened? A fallout with Mick McCarthy led to Keane exiting the Irish squad prior to the 2002 World Cup in what was surely the most controversial saga in Ireland’s footballing history. Keane later briefly returned to the Irish set-up when Brian Kerr was manager.
8. Kenny Cunningham
(INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan)
What happened? Cunningham had been a defensive stalwart for the early part of the Mick McCarthy reign. However, injuries caused him to miss pivotal qualifiers for the 2002 World Cup. He got over his fitness problems in time for the tournament proper, and many expected him to regain his place in the side, but — to some people’s surprise — McCarthy opted to pick Steve Staunton and Gary Breen ahead of him.
9. Robbie Keane
(INPHO/James Crombie)
What happened? During Brian Kerr’s time as manager, Ireland desperately needed a goal in a vital game against Switzerland at Lansdowne Road to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive. Therefore, it was to the shock of many that Kerr bravely substituted Keane in the all-important climactic stages of the encounter. Granted, it was only a partial snub, but it was still an extremely controversial decision given the circumstances. Ireland failed to score without Keane anyway, and their qualification hopes were consequently ended.
10. Stephen Ireland
(INPHO/James Crombie)
What happened? “His exile is self-imposed,” I hear you cry. True, but even before Granny-gate, there was a clamour for Stephen Ireland to be in the squad that was ignored by Brian Kerr, who had fallen out with the player at underage level.
11. Andy Reid
(INPHO/James Crombie)
What happened? Calls for Reid to be in the team have been loud, quiet and now loud again, owing to the fantastic season he is having with Nottingham Forest. He was initially banished by Trapattoni for playing his guitar too loudly in the team hotel late at night, before finally returning to the set-up this month.
12. Wes Hoolahan
(INPHO/Donall Farmer)
What happened? Although he was selected in the Italian’s first squad, Wes Hoolahan was ignored by Trap for the most part, despite being a regular in a steadily improving Norwich side for many of the years during the veteran coach’s reign.
13 Darron Gibson
(INPHO/Donall Farmer)
What happened? Not for the first time, Gibson fell out with Trap after he was an unused substitute for all of Ireland’s Euro 2012 campaign, with less high-profile players such as Paul Green being put ahead of him in the pecking order. After being left out continually, Gibson then decided to make himself unavailable for the remainder of Trap’s tenure.
14. Seamus Coleman
(INPHO/Donall Farmer)
What happened? While Trap eventually began picking him consistently, selecting first Kevin Foley and then, Paul McShane as reserve right-backs for Ireland’s Euros squad was arguably one of the manager’s most bizarre decisions, given the obvious talent of the Everton star.
15. Aiden McGeady
(INPHO/James Crombie)
While there was more than one controversial choice in Noel King’s first game in charge, playing Glenn Whelan on the right and leaving Aiden McGeady — an out-and-out winger — on the bench was perhaps the most contentious call last Friday.
Who should we have included?
John Delaney’s snub of the public to stand down has to be one of the greatest snubs!
Asking Denis Irwin to prove himself?! What a joke. The most consistent player in the premier league at the time. And, I’m a Liverpool fan.
The mind boggles at that one alright!
Proved himself as a premier league player , international different altogether .
I think it was a case of prove me wrong for not picking you in the first place
Denis Irwin won 17 honours with Man Utd (5 Premier Leagues, 3 FA Cups, 1 League Cup, 4 Charity Shields, 1 Champions League, 1 Cup Winners Cup, 1 Super Cup & 1 Intercontinental Cup) in the time period he played for Ireland (1990-99). What exactly had he to prove to Mick McCarthy with his 2 Scottish Cups and 1 Scottish Premier League title?
After he retired from international football at 34 he went on to add a further 2 Premier League titles and a Play-off Winners Title(?).
Irwin had done all the proving he had to do. He had proved himself when he turned himself from a rightback into a leftback. He had proved himself when he made himself into Mr. Consistency at Man United. He had proved himself when he made himself one of the first names on the teamsheet of one of the most dominant teams in history.
McCarthy made plenty of mistakes as Ireland manager, treating Irwin like that was a major one.
Whose side are you on?
Poor old Joe Lapira got a rough deal too
Denis Irwin would of walked into any club team when he was playing.
I never understood why McCarthy said he had to prove himself, hes medal collection from United said everything that needed to be said.
Mick who?
He would of or he would have? Learn English man!
It is a pity that the ‘ve abbreviation confuses so many. Does my head in to be honest.
Mc Carthy telling Irwin to prove himself and picking Jeff Kenna ahead of him, is living proof the man is a crap manager.
I will never forgive him for not realising Spain only had 10 men in extra-time against us in Japan but the above paragraph is enough evidence to no offer him the job ever again.
Denis Irwin is the only player I’ve seen that never had a bad game in his career at United.
Mc Carthy obviously has a problem with Cork.
And that’s coming from a Dub!
Irwin aside, getting runner up in a qualification group that had probably two of the favourites for a world cup is an achievement no Ireland manager can match.
Nonsense Big Pat. Qualifying for a World Cup or The Euros is a bigger achievement. You can only beat who’s put in front of you.
But Karl, by getting runners up spot in undoubtedly the hardest group we’ve ever faced, we DID qualify for a world cup.
Eh mc carthy did qualify for the World Cup
It was a comment made by McCarthy on an interview following a friendly game against Argentina where we’d been given a real football lesson. I think the comment was blown out of proportion a bit to be honest, he could easily have meant Denis proved himself against the best in the world. Again it was a friendly game hence why Irwin did’nt start, It was mid-spring so united were naturally chasing a title and Irwin would’nt have been 100% on board.
Dave, You’re right, it was blown out of proportion. McCarthy said he told him “go and prove me wrong” as in, shown that I was wrong not to pick you. What ever happened to “you’re only as good as your last game?” A player should always aim to keep proving himself. Just because you were a good player a few years ago doesn’t mean you are now.
The fai should be shown this list of player’s and be told that this is talent, this is what Ireland can produce, please invest in Irish soccer and youth development.
In fairness Reid has only come into fprm in the last year. Prior to the Euros he was earning any 1 of his 5 appearances for Blackpool.
Since moving back to Forest Reid has been consistently brilliant for them…
Ans to claims he was overweight up until a year ago you say?
Reid is a journeyman championship player. He never cut it at premier league level. These are the facts.
Some fans however would have you believe he’s as good as mesut ozil or iniesta
Bang on Joe , sure it was Liam Miller before him. We have to accept we are in the same league as Wales Scotland and sad to say N Ireland .
No one is saying he is ozil or iniesta, people are just stating he’s a much better option than Paul green or Glenn Whelan. What’s his weight got to do with it? If he can play ball who cares. Look at Jan Molby or even Le Tissier, both carried weight and were fantastic players. Ridiculous comment!
What does his weight have to do with anything?
He’s a professional footballer…
I never mentioned his weight Martin. I just said he was a championship player. No more, no less. He’s a decent passer surely, but his work rate has always been questionable and he’s too slow for premiership and international football. Glenn whelan is nothing special either, but he has been an established premiership player for the last 5/6 years, something Reid was unable to achieve in his career.
Ive never heard anyone compare Reid to “Ozil or Iniesta”. But he offers something that other Irish players ( with the exception of Hoolihan ) doesnt. The ability to pick a pass and hold onto the ball. Every successful team in the world has a Reid type player, most have several. We played the last few qualifying campaigns without any. Thats why there was a clamor for him to be in the squad/team. He gives us creativity that we dont otherwise have.
I dont know what the definition of “Journeyman” is anyway. Robin has played for more clubs that him and now plays at Bayern Munich, would he be called a Journeyman? Robbie Keane? Samuel Eto? Playing for multiple clubs doesnt make you a bad player.
Reid has had problems with his weigh and it prevented him from being a hit with Spurs, and yes that weigh issue is probably his fault but right now his is physically in the best shape of his life and has been the player of the month for promotion chasing Forest for the past two months scoring 5 goals along the way.
But its the clubs he went to and his failure to establish himself at thats the problem. As I mentioned earlier, he turned out 5 times for Blackpool.
The minimum you should expect of a professional footballer is he keeps himself in shape. Thats his bloody job! Its great that he’s in shape again but for many years that has absolutley not been the case. So it’s hardly fair to look at him as this constantly overlooked figure who’s been playing the form of the last 2 months for the last number of years of his career.
I think I speak for Joe when I say his comment should be taken with a pinch of salt saying people compared him with the worlds greatest players, but you do get the feeling that people over estimate the abilities of the likes of Gibson, McCarthy, Reid and Hoolahan who are all, at best decent footballers.
I actually sincerely dount whether you play Gibson or Whelan makes much of a difference – When has Gibson pulled and Ireland jersey on, got on the pitch, grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and demanded the ball and passed it around? Never. He is probably marginally better but it would actually make next to no difference in the grander scheme of things.
Amn’t I right in saying Gibson bet Man. City nearly on his own last season 2-0 for Everton? If Gibson and McCarthy were “at best decent footballers” they wouldn’t be playing for an Everton side who consistently challenge/get into Europe, or one that was the last side to be unbeaten in the Premier League, in which a run that was only ended on match day 7.
I agree with calling Reid and Hoolahan “at best decent footballers”.
Division 2 lads. Division 2
Rob,
Let me first off say that my first choice central two is McCarthy and Gibson for Ireland.
Second, I retract my statement when it comes to McCarthy and Gibson a bit. They’re not worldbeaters. But McCarthy is very young (and already has an FA Cup!), and Gibson, in fairness to him, has finally established himself at a better than ok club in the Premier league and is playing well.
But what concerns me is their performances in an Ireland jersey, McCarthy has looked no better than competent while Gibson has had 20 opportunities to impress for Ireland and has failed to do so to this point.
Some people could argue Trap didn’t let them play, in the previous few years, the only time I seen Whelan and Andrews play was when they were getting skinned, never when we had the ball.
I think that Gibson is an infinitely better player than Whelan. Gibson has a much better passing range and is faster and has more gas. Is he a world beater? No. But we dont really have any world beaters and havent had for a while. We are a small country who has always punched above its weight in sports, football included. Fractions can make the difference in a match and Gibson over Whelan could be one of those. The ability of Reid to open a defence is another.
If you look at Traps time in charge there were very few big wins. 4 goals twice ( against Estonia and the Faroes ) I think. We never ran up huge scores against teams that sat back because we had no one to unlock a packed defence, thats where someone like Reid would be invaluable.
I agree that Reid was the author of his own downfall by not looking after himself throughout the years and Brighton was a low point but even an unfit and overweight Reid would offer more than Whelan. I advise people to watch some of Whelans matches and see how often he hides behind a player so as not to receive a pass, the least you would expect of a professional player is to show for the ball. He constantly hides.
Anyway no point going over the past too much. I think its unlikely that Whelan will be a first team player beyond tomorrow night and both Reid and Hoolihan are the wrong side of 30 and may or may not be involved in the qualifiers for the next Euros. We have to hope that Brady keeps developing
Ger, great shout about Whelan not looking for the ball when he doesn’t have the space he requires!
This is most basic of requirements for any international midfielder, the touch and belief to take the ball when under pressure! Constantly denies the player in possession using him as an outlet by shadowing the oppenents run! It’s actually laughable when you see it happen!
An utterly brutal player! Beyond me how is a pro at the top of the game! A very good LoI player at best I feel!
Reid was nominated for Charlton Player of the Year in 06-07. He also had a wonderful spell at Sunderland in 08-09 before picking up a bad injury from which he never regained him place or form. Both of these spells were in the Premier League.
When I read these crap comments that “Reid has never cut it in the Premier League”, I take them with a pinch of salted. They could only be made by people who never watched the man play.
Columbo, Around 06/07 no one was complaining that Reid was in the Ireland team. But alas that was the Stan era so not much he could have done there.
But when you say wonderful spell at Sunderland, you could possibly mean their first season back in the Premier League, but in the season you refer too they stayed up by the skin of their teeth and if I’m not mistaken, that’s also the season they got hockeyed by Everton 7-0 and played some wonderful stuff under Ricky Sbragia.
How instrumental Reid was in a side finishing with a total of 36 points is truly debateable.
Frank Stapelton was captain in Euro 88 and started every game. By Italia 90 he was past his best.
And as far as I remember, want Whelan injured for Italia ’90? I was only 10 so I could be wrong but he was either injured or just back from a long term injury. I wouldn’t have said Jack snubbed him. Didn’t he play all the euro ’88 tournament matches?… again, my memory is sketchy
If I remember right, Whelan had a broken bone in his foot. But let’s not ruin a good story.
Both were left out at certain points when a number of critics/fans wanted them in the team e.g. both only made the bench for the Romania 1990 World Cup game. Not necessarily saying they were wrong decisions, just that they were controversial ones.
Paul, whatever about Whelan, I certainly don’t remember many fans/critics wanting Stapelton in the team. Great player for Ireland but pretty much everyone recognised that he was rightly down the pecking order by Italia 90.
You must mean some bench outside a pub in Romania cause Frank didnt make the squad I think?.. I could Google it but yearra!
No, Frank made the squad alright. Just didn’t get much of a look in.
Fair play… I’ll take yer word for it. I remember collecting his WC playing card which came free with Rice Crisps or Corn Flakes alright but they were out before the squad was announced.
So Stephen Ireland was a pillock even when he was underage? No surprise there then!
“The Irish team was picked by a much-reviled FAI panel rather than a manager”. – Imagine if they brought it back to this. Or better yet. The people of Ireland choose the team via referrendum.
Vote Conor Sammon, number 1 in your constituency!
Yes for jobs!
Picking the Irish team by a referrendum would result in a few players being “walloped” alright.
might get a bigger turn out than last week
Mc geady just runs, not a huge fan of his
Neither am I. But the stats back it up. We’re better with him than without him.
I sppose you have a point, have to make do with what we got, sadly
He’s better than Glenn Whelan though
The substitution of Brady by Jack before halftime was bad enough, but wasn’t that game also Brady’s testimonial? Jack wanted to humiliate him
Brady was hooked twice in first half back then. First was v west Germany in sept 89. He didn’t put in a challenge in the lead up to German equaliser – which was still still a belter from edge of the area. That was the last straw for jack and Brady wasn’t even present in Dublin as Ireland beat Northern Ireland 3-0 a month later. The testimonial was v Finland I think in about April 90. There was an agreement beforehand Brady would only get 20-odd minutes as jack felt he needed the game as it was close to world cups. That’s how I recall it off the top of my head anyway!
Bring back the panel, with the holy trinity of dunphy, brady and giles……we cant lose with leaders with their knowledge and expertise!
This whole Andy Reid thing does my head in. The lad has spent most of his career way over weight for a professional athlete, has been at utter flop in the premier league with more than one club. Yet in some people’s eyes he’s a midfield messiah, the reality is he may make one nice pass or take one good free kick a game but the issue is he does little else for 90 minutes.
We simply do not have the players throughout the rest of the team to cover for him.
+100. The most overrated Irish player of his generation.
+101! He’s a championship player.
I recall when he was in the team people were calling for his head.
You cant keep anyone happy in this county!
Yep, fair enough – I thought Big Pat was referring to the group at the finals. To finish level on points with Portugal and knock out Holland was some achievement alright.
Why is Reid on that list? Average journeyman who performs sporadically in the 2nd tier of English football. He’s not fit to lace the boots of Irwin, Keane, whelan or Brady.
Gary Breen was once a target for Barcelona. Legend……………….
The Paul Green of his day – Went to an international tournament unemployed!
Pointless article. . . What is the media’s fascination with players who were “snubbed” . . . Where to start . . . 1.Darron Gibson made himself unavailable for selection cos he didnt get a run at euro2012. Comes back into team on Friday night after all the noise about him from media and section of supporters and like his previous 19 caps added nothing to the team and proved against quality opposition he is not up to it! 2. Altho Brady and jack never seen eye to eye facts are build up to euro 88 Brady was struggling with injury and serving suspension. He then retired from international football half way through WC90 qualifiers and made himself available again when we qualified he was 34 and struggling with injury at that stage and retired from footie not long after. 3. Andy Reid has struggled over last few years to be fair it’s only tail end of last season and this season that he has been playing well and lost the weight .4. Less said about Stephen Ireland the better
Just looking at the Robbie Keane one there. Wasnt the first time Kerr withdrew him. Did the same against Israel at home at 2-0 up. We went on to draw. Although that may have been down to an injury if I am not mistaken.
It was down to injury against Isreal. In the games after that he was very ineffective which made the decision of the next ‘Gaffer’ to give him the captaincy pretty ludicrous.
Paul Butler’s auntie was into me wondering why Paul never got a mention
Peter Thomas, the famous Waterford United goalie. Won only 2 caps for Ireland in 1974 before falling out with Johnny Giles and never playing again despite being a far better keeper than Seamus McDonogh at the time.
Personally I think the Aiden McGeady decision has been a long time coming. I know Ireland does not have a huge choice when it comes to wingers but his decision making and final ball are pathetic at times. 2 goals in 60 caps for an attacking winger is a poor return.
Hopefully Brady can bring his club form to the National team upon his return.
Ronnie Whelan was carrying a knee injury during italia 90.
King has lost the plot already
Big Pat.. “two of the favourites for the world cup” in 2002. Germany yes.. were you thinking of Cameroon or Saudi Arabia as the other “favourite”?!
He was thinking Holland and Portugal in the qualifiers I reckon
What Kevin said Bruce.
Holland and Portugal maybe??
Really….you shouldn’t be allowed to post for that one!
I didn’t know that fact about Giles. It’s a wonder Dumphy didn’t hurl himself off a bridge when he saw the team sheet! His idol dropped… a black day for Irish football
Tommy Gaynor should be on that list. At a time in the late 80s, when you had some questionable “Irishmen” being picked capped for the country, it’s a crying shame that a born and bred Limerick man and one of the most consistent Irish players in English football at that time, was sadly overlooked. Played in a very good Forest side who challenged Liverpool & Arsenal for the title. Scored a few cracking goals and won the League Cup twice.