LIVERPOOL'S IRISH DREAM TEAM
Mark Platt 17 March 2005
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N148168050317-1008.htm
To commemorate St Patrick's Day, Liverpoolfc.tv take a look back at this club's proud connections with Ireland and come up with the all-time LFC Irish Dream Team...
Goalkeeper: Elisha Scott
The only member of our team to come from Northern Ireland, the legendary stopper hailed from Belfast and made his international debut back in the days before Ireland was divided. One of the all-time Liverpool greats, his Anfield career spanned an awesome 22 years during which time he played for his country on 27 occasions.
He remains the last Liverpool player to have represented Northern Ireland.
Right-back: Steve Finnan
The only current full Irish international on the club's books, Finnan was born in Limerick and, to date, has represented his country on35 occasions. Played in the 2002 World Cup and, as a regular member of Brian Kerr's side, he'll be hoping to help Ireland clinch qualification for next years World Cup.
Left-back: Steve Staunton
Drogheda-born Staunton joined Liverpool from Dundalk in 1986, winning a championship medal in 1990 and then becoming the youngster member of Eire's World Cup squad that summer. After leaving the Reds for a first time he won the FAI player of year award in 1993 and also played in the 1994 World Cup. With 38 caps during his two spells at Anfield he is Liverpool's second most capped Irishman.
Centre-back: Phil Babb
It was on the back of his fine performances for Ireland in the 1994 World Cup that then Liverpool boss Roy Evans shelled out a record transfer fee for a defender to acquire his services. His time with the Reds won't be remembered too favourably but he still managed to win a further 25 caps while plying his trade in a red shirt.
Centre-back: Mark Lawrenson
Rightly regarded as one of the finest central defenders to ever play for Liverpool and Ireland, Lawro won 24 caps during the course of his Anfield career but unfortunately missed out on Eire's halcyon days of the late 80s and early 90s after injury forced him into premature retirement.
Left midfield: Steve Heighway
Dubliner Heighway was one of the greatest wingers to ever grace a red shirt but he frustratingly struggled to reproduce his club form in the green jersey. He became Liverpool's first Irish international since Elisha Scott when he won his first cap in 1970 and went on to make 34 appearances in an unfulfilled 11-year international career.
Right midfield: Ray Houghton
A model of consistency in a Liverpool and Ireland shirt, Razor famously scored the winner versus England in the 1988 European Championships and won 73 caps in total. Glasgow born, but with an Irish father, he also netted a much-celebrated goal against Italy in the 1994 World Cup and was an integral member of Jack Charlton's team.
Centre midfield: Jason McAteer
His boundless enthusiasm made him a firm favourite of the Lansdowne Road crowd and he'd already made his name on the international stage when joining Liverpool from Bolton in 1995. His Anfield career may have reaped little in terms of silverware but the popular Scouser did manage to win a further 14 Irish caps while with the Reds. After leaving for Blackburn he continued to be a regular in the Republic side and scored the vital goal that booked their place in the 2002 World Cup.
Centre midfield and captain: Ronnie Whelan
Signed by Liverpool from famous Irish amateur side Home Farm in 1979, Whelan played 53 times for the Republic during a distinguished career but that figure could have been a lot more had it not been for injury. He's probably best remembered in the Emerald Isle for a spectacular bicycle kick against USSR in the 1988 European Championships and is Liverpool's most capped Irishman.
Attack: John Aldridge
A born and bred Scouser, Aldo qualified to play for Ireland by virtue of a grandparent and represented Eire at two World Cups and one European Championship. Despite his prolific goalscoring form for Liverpool it took him 15 games to register his first international goal but then the floodgates opened and no Reds player has scored more than the 19 goals he netted in an Irish shirt.
Attack: Michael Robinson
Although born in Leicester Robbo qualified to play for Eire via his Irish grandmother and was one of the first 'outsiders' to represent the Republic. His commitment to the cause though could never be questioned and he was already an established international by the time he joined the Reds in 1983. During his brief spell at Anfield he won a further five caps.
Subs
Jim Beglin: Waterford-born Beglin joined Liverpool from Shamrock Rovers during the summer of 1983 and made and made his international debut before making his senior club bow but a promising career was tragically cut short by a broken leg in 1987.
Bill Lacey: One of the finest wingmen of his day and a member of Liverpool's double title winning team of the 1920s. He also played in the 1914 FA Cup Final side and won 12 international caps during his Anfield career.
Ken de Mange : Failed to make the grade at Anfield after joining from Home Farm in 1983 but managed to win the first of two international caps when handed a surprise debut as a substitute against Brazil in 1987. Left Anfield without making a single first team appearance.
Mark Kennedy: During the course of an undistinguished three-year Anfield career, Britain's once most expensive teenager made more appearances for his country than his club.
Darren Potter: The Liverpool-born midfielder has followed in the footsteps of Aldo by committing his international future to Ireland and is a current under-21 international.
Full list of Liverpool's Irish internationals and caps won
Ronnie Whelan (51)
Steve Staunton (38)
Ray Houghton (34)
Steve Heighway (33)
Elisha Scott 27 (22 for Northern Ireland)
Phil Babb (25)
Mark Lawrenson (24)
John Aldridge (19)
Mark Kennedy (17)
Jim Beglin (15)
Jason McAteer (14)
Bill Lacey (12)
Steve Finnan (9)
Michael Robinson (4)
David McMullen (Northern Ireland) (3)
Ken De Mange (1)
(Thanks to LFC club statistician Ged Rea for the stats)
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N148168050317-1008.htm
To commemorate St Patrick's Day, Liverpoolfc.tv take a look back at this club's proud connections with Ireland and come up with the all-time LFC Irish Dream Team...
Goalkeeper: Elisha Scott
The only member of our team to come from Northern Ireland, the legendary stopper hailed from Belfast and made his international debut back in the days before Ireland was divided. One of the all-time Liverpool greats, his Anfield career spanned an awesome 22 years during which time he played for his country on 27 occasions.
He remains the last Liverpool player to have represented Northern Ireland.
Right-back: Steve Finnan
The only current full Irish international on the club's books, Finnan was born in Limerick and, to date, has represented his country on35 occasions. Played in the 2002 World Cup and, as a regular member of Brian Kerr's side, he'll be hoping to help Ireland clinch qualification for next years World Cup.
Left-back: Steve Staunton
Drogheda-born Staunton joined Liverpool from Dundalk in 1986, winning a championship medal in 1990 and then becoming the youngster member of Eire's World Cup squad that summer. After leaving the Reds for a first time he won the FAI player of year award in 1993 and also played in the 1994 World Cup. With 38 caps during his two spells at Anfield he is Liverpool's second most capped Irishman.
Centre-back: Phil Babb
It was on the back of his fine performances for Ireland in the 1994 World Cup that then Liverpool boss Roy Evans shelled out a record transfer fee for a defender to acquire his services. His time with the Reds won't be remembered too favourably but he still managed to win a further 25 caps while plying his trade in a red shirt.
Centre-back: Mark Lawrenson
Rightly regarded as one of the finest central defenders to ever play for Liverpool and Ireland, Lawro won 24 caps during the course of his Anfield career but unfortunately missed out on Eire's halcyon days of the late 80s and early 90s after injury forced him into premature retirement.
Left midfield: Steve Heighway
Dubliner Heighway was one of the greatest wingers to ever grace a red shirt but he frustratingly struggled to reproduce his club form in the green jersey. He became Liverpool's first Irish international since Elisha Scott when he won his first cap in 1970 and went on to make 34 appearances in an unfulfilled 11-year international career.
Right midfield: Ray Houghton
A model of consistency in a Liverpool and Ireland shirt, Razor famously scored the winner versus England in the 1988 European Championships and won 73 caps in total. Glasgow born, but with an Irish father, he also netted a much-celebrated goal against Italy in the 1994 World Cup and was an integral member of Jack Charlton's team.
Centre midfield: Jason McAteer
His boundless enthusiasm made him a firm favourite of the Lansdowne Road crowd and he'd already made his name on the international stage when joining Liverpool from Bolton in 1995. His Anfield career may have reaped little in terms of silverware but the popular Scouser did manage to win a further 14 Irish caps while with the Reds. After leaving for Blackburn he continued to be a regular in the Republic side and scored the vital goal that booked their place in the 2002 World Cup.
Centre midfield and captain: Ronnie Whelan
Signed by Liverpool from famous Irish amateur side Home Farm in 1979, Whelan played 53 times for the Republic during a distinguished career but that figure could have been a lot more had it not been for injury. He's probably best remembered in the Emerald Isle for a spectacular bicycle kick against USSR in the 1988 European Championships and is Liverpool's most capped Irishman.
Attack: John Aldridge
A born and bred Scouser, Aldo qualified to play for Ireland by virtue of a grandparent and represented Eire at two World Cups and one European Championship. Despite his prolific goalscoring form for Liverpool it took him 15 games to register his first international goal but then the floodgates opened and no Reds player has scored more than the 19 goals he netted in an Irish shirt.
Attack: Michael Robinson
Although born in Leicester Robbo qualified to play for Eire via his Irish grandmother and was one of the first 'outsiders' to represent the Republic. His commitment to the cause though could never be questioned and he was already an established international by the time he joined the Reds in 1983. During his brief spell at Anfield he won a further five caps.
Subs
Jim Beglin: Waterford-born Beglin joined Liverpool from Shamrock Rovers during the summer of 1983 and made and made his international debut before making his senior club bow but a promising career was tragically cut short by a broken leg in 1987.
Bill Lacey: One of the finest wingmen of his day and a member of Liverpool's double title winning team of the 1920s. He also played in the 1914 FA Cup Final side and won 12 international caps during his Anfield career.
Ken de Mange : Failed to make the grade at Anfield after joining from Home Farm in 1983 but managed to win the first of two international caps when handed a surprise debut as a substitute against Brazil in 1987. Left Anfield without making a single first team appearance.
Mark Kennedy: During the course of an undistinguished three-year Anfield career, Britain's once most expensive teenager made more appearances for his country than his club.
Darren Potter: The Liverpool-born midfielder has followed in the footsteps of Aldo by committing his international future to Ireland and is a current under-21 international.
Full list of Liverpool's Irish internationals and caps won
Ronnie Whelan (51)
Steve Staunton (38)
Ray Houghton (34)
Steve Heighway (33)
Elisha Scott 27 (22 for Northern Ireland)
Phil Babb (25)
Mark Lawrenson (24)
John Aldridge (19)
Mark Kennedy (17)
Jim Beglin (15)
Jason McAteer (14)
Bill Lacey (12)
Steve Finnan (9)
Michael Robinson (4)
David McMullen (Northern Ireland) (3)
Ken De Mange (1)
(Thanks to LFC club statistician Ged Rea for the stats)
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