STARTING XI
REMAINING SQUAD MEMBERS
3 best players not in the squad:
Republic of Ireland's best achievement was reaching the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup. 7 players from that squad make it into this team, but 5 of them were in their 30's, so the 1980's is the most prominent decade for player's peaks in my squad. Shay Given just made the starting XI ahead of Packie Bonner, likewise did O'Leary ahead of Lawrenson. Noel Cantwell was unlucky to miss out on the squad behind Tony Dunne, while I think Seamus Coleman deserves his spot as back-up right back after an excellent career. The midfield 3 was easy to pick, they are three of the country's best ever players. Ronnie Whelan, Ray Houghton and Liam Whelan can be the midfield back-up. I narrowly started Duff over Heighway in the front 3, while both these players being capable on either flank means that 3 wingers was enough here, so I had space for Aldridge alongside Stapleton on the bench as back-up strikers. Players by Decade: 1980's (6), 2000's (4), 1990's (3), 1970's (3), 1960's (3), 2010's (1), 1950's (1), 1940's (1), 1910's (1) Top 10 Republic of Ireland Players of All-Time (World Class Players in Bold - 6)
(& their all-time positional rank)
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