Roy Keane and Paul McGrath named among greatest Republic of Ireland footballers
However, the survey of 1,000 Irish football supporters revealed that Kevin 'Zinedine' Kilbane - who consistently commanded respect for his wholehearted commitment on the field - was positioned just beyond the top 20.
Newcastle United and Man City legend Given wasn't the sole goalkeeper to feature on the list, with Pat Bonner also securing seventh spot.
Meanwhile, Roy Keane's old adversary, Mick McCarthy, found himself languishing at number 17, considerably distant from his former rival.
A representative for Lottoland.ie , which commissioned the study, commented: "Ireland's produced players the equal of any across the globe.
"Roy Keane is just one who would have graced the midfield of any side on the planet, across any era, while Paul McGrath is one of the most naturally gifted players ever to kick a ball.
"Of course, there were some incredible players from Northern Ireland as well – you might have heard of one named George Best."
The research subsequently discovered that 62% believe certain Irish players would have been World Cup winners - had they been born with different nationality. Additional legendary figures voted into the top 10 featured Damien Duff (27%) and Denis Irwin (26%).
Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy's infamous 2002 World Cup confrontation was considered the most unforgettable Irish footballing moment.
Meanwhile, 48% recalled with disappointment Thierry Henry's notorious handball against Ireland in a World Cup playoff, which denied the nation qualification.
Regarding individual players, 49% believed natural talent and technical ability are most crucial when determining who constitutes a genuine 'great'. 93% reckoned a truly great player can shine even in an average team. (Image: SWNS)
However, 45% attributed greatness to work ethic and determination, whilst 25% valued loyalty - whether to club or country.
Over nine in 10 (93%) believed a truly exceptional player can excel even within a mediocre team, and 72% stated that a player's trophy collection isn't the finest measure of greatness.
Among current players, Evan Ferguson is considered the footballer with the greatest potential to become a legend of the Irish men's game.
He was followed closely by Caoimhín Kelleher, Nathan Collins and Michael Obafemi, according to the OnePoll.com research.
Regarding the veteran generation, Jack Charlton was selected as the manager to have made the single most significant impact on the Republic of Ireland men's national team.
Italia '90 remains the tournament supporters were most proud of their side's performance, as Charlton steered his squad to the last eight, narrowly falling to Italy in the quarter-finals.
Lottoland.ie's spokesperson added: "When you look at the history of football, it's remarkable just how many players from the Republic of Ireland have gone on to have extraordinary careers on the biggest stages. For a relatively small nation, the contribution to the game has been nothing short of immense.
"Irish footballers have long been known for their tenacity, heart, and work ethic - but what often gets overlooked is the sheer talent.
"From local pitches to European finals and World Cups, they've consistently shown they can go toe-to-toe with the very best."
THE 20 BEST ROI PLAYERS OF ALL TIME: Roy Keane Robbie Keane Paul McGrath Liam Brady Shay Given Damien Duff Packie Bonner Denis Irwin John O'Shea John Giles Niall Quinn Ray Houghton Seamus Coleman Ronnie Whelan John Aldridge James McClean Mick McCarthy Steve Staunton Richard Dunne Andy Townsend
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