(N.B. THE RANKINGS WERE based on a combination of current form, past achievements and how important the players in question are to their respective teams)
15. Aiden McGeady
Showed one or two flashes of good play at Euro 2016, but for the most part, it’s been a frustrating spell at Everton for the mercurial winger. The fact that McGeady hasn’t even been given a first-team squad number by the Toffees this season indicates he may not be a Premier League player for much longer.
14. Darron Gibson
PA Archive / Press Association Images
PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
A combination of injuries and indifferent form has meant Gibson’s struggled badly in recent years and ultimately could not do enough to convince Martin O’Neill that he was worthy of a place in Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad. The ex-Man United midfielder has not reached double figures in terms of Premier League appearances since the 2012-13 season, though the fact that he signed a new Everton contract last June indicates he has a future at the club.
13. Marc Wilson
Another talented player whose form and injury problems have severely limited his game time of late, Wilson recently stated on Twitter that he deserves to be starting for Stoke — now’s the time to back up those words..
12. David Meyler
There are certainly more talented Irish players out there, but Hull vice-captain Meyler’s reliability earned him a place in Martin O’Neill’s Euro 2016 squad, and it’s likely to ensure he sees plenty of game time with the Tigers this season.
11. Darren Randolph
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EMPICS Sport
Has impressed for both Ireland and West Ham over the past 12 months, though Randolph is expected to remain second-choice goalkeeper for the latter in the Premier League this season, which could ultimately harm his chances at international level.
10. Stephen Ward
Was a regular in the second half of the season as Burnley made a successful promotion push in the Championship last year. It will be interesting to see if the former Bohemians player can continue to hold down a slot in the team amid the more challenging surroundings of the Premier League.
9. John O’Shea
The 35-year-old defender has enjoyed a distinguished Premier League career, including five league titles with Man United. However, O’Shea lost his place in the Sunderland team towards the end of last season, and may have to be content with being a more peripheral figure again this year.
8. James McClean
Not the most skillful winger you’ll ever see, but McClean makes up for his lack of technical ability through sheer determination, pace and work ethic. The 27-year-old is perfectly suited to the ugly, uncompromising and invariably effective style of football that Tony Pulis has implemented at West Brom, and made 54 appearances in all competitions for the Baggies in his debut season with them last year.
7. Jon Walters
Stoke may have brought in an array of exotic, high-profile foreign signings in recent times, but Walters remains a valued team member who they can rely upon for hard work and goals — he managed 12 in all competitions in the 2015-16 campaign.
6. Harry Arter
A technically impressive 26-year-old midfielder who is capable of inspirational performances at his best. He was a key player for Bournemouth when available last season, and if he can stay fit, he will surely continue to be an integral part of Eddie Howe’s side.
5. Glenn Whelan
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EMPICS Sport
Not always an especially popular figure among Ireland fans, Whelan is perhaps the most underappreciated footballer in Martin O’Neill’s squad. Granted, his ability is somewhat limited, and he’ll never be able to dictate a game. However, the fact that he has made over 200 Premier League appearances and been a consistent Stoke starter for the past eight consecutive seasons is a testament to the Dubliner’s sheer professionalism and understanding of his strengths and weaknesses.
4. Damien Delaney
No other Irish centre-back has shown anything like the consistency that Delaney has managed in the past three Premier League seasons for Crystal Palace. Moreover, at 35, the Cork native is showing few signs of wear and tear. Like Wes Hoolahan and Jon Walters, he is a late bloomer who has spent much of his career in the lower leagues — it’s just a shame from a Boys in Green perspective that he retired from international football while coming into the form of his life.
3. James McCarthy
He gets plenty of stick, but it’s incredibly rare for an Irish player to have been playing regular Premier League football since their teens and the best is surely yet to come from the 25-year-old Everton star, who has made almost 100 appearances since joining the Toffees in 2013.
2. Shane Long
Another player who has developed substantially in recent times, Long’s form in the second half of last season was on a par with almost any other striker in England, as he hit Premier League double figures for the first time in his career. His prowess consequently saw him earn a well-deserved new contract in the summer.
1. Seamus Coleman
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EMPICS Sport
The one Irish player that you could imagine being good enough to get into pretty much any Premier League side, Coleman is a class act. Going forward, he is routinely superb, rarely giving the ball away and troubling opposition defences with his pace and delivery, while he has improved immeasurably as a defender in recent seasons. The 27-year-old captained Ireland with distinction at Euro 2016 in the summer, and will surely continue to do so for years to come.
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Ranking the 15 best Irish Premier League players
(N.B. THE RANKINGS WERE based on a combination of current form, past achievements and how important the players in question are to their respective teams)
15. Aiden McGeady
Showed one or two flashes of good play at Euro 2016, but for the most part, it’s been a frustrating spell at Everton for the mercurial winger. The fact that McGeady hasn’t even been given a first-team squad number by the Toffees this season indicates he may not be a Premier League player for much longer.
14. Darron Gibson
A combination of injuries and indifferent form has meant Gibson’s struggled badly in recent years and ultimately could not do enough to convince Martin O’Neill that he was worthy of a place in Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad. The ex-Man United midfielder has not reached double figures in terms of Premier League appearances since the 2012-13 season, though the fact that he signed a new Everton contract last June indicates he has a future at the club.
13. Marc Wilson
Another talented player whose form and injury problems have severely limited his game time of late, Wilson recently stated on Twitter that he deserves to be starting for Stoke — now’s the time to back up those words..
12. David Meyler
There are certainly more talented Irish players out there, but Hull vice-captain Meyler’s reliability earned him a place in Martin O’Neill’s Euro 2016 squad, and it’s likely to ensure he sees plenty of game time with the Tigers this season.
11. Darren Randolph
Has impressed for both Ireland and West Ham over the past 12 months, though Randolph is expected to remain second-choice goalkeeper for the latter in the Premier League this season, which could ultimately harm his chances at international level.
10. Stephen Ward
Was a regular in the second half of the season as Burnley made a successful promotion push in the Championship last year. It will be interesting to see if the former Bohemians player can continue to hold down a slot in the team amid the more challenging surroundings of the Premier League.
9. John O’Shea
The 35-year-old defender has enjoyed a distinguished Premier League career, including five league titles with Man United. However, O’Shea lost his place in the Sunderland team towards the end of last season, and may have to be content with being a more peripheral figure again this year.
8. James McClean
Not the most skillful winger you’ll ever see, but McClean makes up for his lack of technical ability through sheer determination, pace and work ethic. The 27-year-old is perfectly suited to the ugly, uncompromising and invariably effective style of football that Tony Pulis has implemented at West Brom, and made 54 appearances in all competitions for the Baggies in his debut season with them last year.
7. Jon Walters
Stoke may have brought in an array of exotic, high-profile foreign signings in recent times, but Walters remains a valued team member who they can rely upon for hard work and goals — he managed 12 in all competitions in the 2015-16 campaign.
6. Harry Arter
A technically impressive 26-year-old midfielder who is capable of inspirational performances at his best. He was a key player for Bournemouth when available last season, and if he can stay fit, he will surely continue to be an integral part of Eddie Howe’s side.
5. Glenn Whelan
Not always an especially popular figure among Ireland fans, Whelan is perhaps the most underappreciated footballer in Martin O’Neill’s squad. Granted, his ability is somewhat limited, and he’ll never be able to dictate a game. However, the fact that he has made over 200 Premier League appearances and been a consistent Stoke starter for the past eight consecutive seasons is a testament to the Dubliner’s sheer professionalism and understanding of his strengths and weaknesses.
4. Damien Delaney
No other Irish centre-back has shown anything like the consistency that Delaney has managed in the past three Premier League seasons for Crystal Palace. Moreover, at 35, the Cork native is showing few signs of wear and tear. Like Wes Hoolahan and Jon Walters, he is a late bloomer who has spent much of his career in the lower leagues — it’s just a shame from a Boys in Green perspective that he retired from international football while coming into the form of his life.
3. James McCarthy
He gets plenty of stick, but it’s incredibly rare for an Irish player to have been playing regular Premier League football since their teens and the best is surely yet to come from the 25-year-old Everton star, who has made almost 100 appearances since joining the Toffees in 2013.
2. Shane Long
Another player who has developed substantially in recent times, Long’s form in the second half of last season was on a par with almost any other striker in England, as he hit Premier League double figures for the first time in his career. His prowess consequently saw him earn a well-deserved new contract in the summer.
1. Seamus Coleman
The one Irish player that you could imagine being good enough to get into pretty much any Premier League side, Coleman is a class act. Going forward, he is routinely superb, rarely giving the ball away and troubling opposition defences with his pace and delivery, while he has improved immeasurably as a defender in recent seasons. The 27-year-old captained Ireland with distinction at Euro 2016 in the summer, and will surely continue to do so for years to come.
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