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Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Roy Keane and Paul McGrath named among greatest Republic of Ireland footballers
Roy Keane, Robbie Keane and Paul McGrath have been crowned the greatest Republic of Ireland footballers of all time. Liam Brady and Shay Given also secured places in the top five. 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 , 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 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. 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
Irish Daily Star
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Star
Darts still seen as a 'pub game' with majority disagreeing it's a sport
A recent survey has found that 53% of Irish adults in the Republic of Ireland do not believe darts can be classified as a sport. The poll, which included 1,000 respondents, highlighted two primary reasons for this perception: 22% said it lacks physical exertion, and 19% feel it is more associated with leisure than competition. Additionally, over a third (36%) view darts as "just a game," while 21% are opposed to darts being included in the Olympic Games. Interestingly, 31% described the idea of categorizing darts as a sport as 'controversial.' This sentiment is not unique to darts, with activities like poker (61%) and chess (49%) also dividing opinion. Many feel similar about snooker (Image: Getty Images) The study, commissioned by also revealed that many people in Ireland take a similar stance towards activities like axe throwing and snooker. However, darts enthusiasts firmly believe the game qualifies as a sport. Bobby Seagull, a prominent advocate for darts, argues that it is a mistake to underestimate the level of skill and effort it takes. While dart players may not appear like conventional athletes such as footballers or swimmers, Seagull points out their extraordinary concentration, their dedication to honing technique, and their mastery of mental maths, which rivals some of the sharpest minds. The research also delved into people's personal experiences with darts. While a striking 83% of respondents admitted to having tried playing darts at some point in their lives, only 4% rated their skills as "excellent." Nearly half (46%) said their abilities are "average," with 10% plainly admitting to being "terrible." Among regular players, 32% expressed a desire to improve their throwing technique, while 29% acknowledged the need to work on their accuracy. Encouragingly, two-thirds (66%) of respondents agree that darts requires as much mental focus as many physical sports, according to the statistics gathered by OnePoll. A spokesperson for said: 'Darts started as a pub game, which could be why people have this perception, but a lot has changed in the last 10 years. 'It has been racking up some unexpected fans since Luke Littler burst onto the scene in 2023 and since then, it has encouraged thousands to have a go and follow in his footsteps. 'Even though so many still don't consider darts a proper sport, it's interesting to see how the nation lacks the skills that professional players have. 'It's incredibly hard to be accurate and consistent on a darts board, so it's reassuring that even though many people don't think it's a sport, it still has the mental focus needed for more of a physical sport, like football.'
