11 Greatest Irish Footballers to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Steve Staunton

Very unfortunate to miss out on a place in the top XI, Steve Staunton's Republic of Ireland career saw him make a remarkable 102 appearances for his national team, the fourth-highest tally of any southern Irishman.

A talented asset in both defence and midfield, Staunton would later go on to have a short stint as manager of his former represented nation as well as boasting a high-profile club career, most notably with Aston Villa and Liverpool.

Ray Houghton

Though born in Glasgow, Ray Houghton qualified for the Republic of Ireland team through his father's roots, clocking up more than 70 caps in an 11-year international tenure.

The ex-midfielder saw his best days with Fulham, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, and his 1-0 winners against England at the 1988 European Championship, and Italy at the 1994World Cup have gone down in Irish folklore.

Richard Dunne

Some say that when cut, Richard Dunne bleeds green. However, we all know that to be false, such is the tough-tackling, battle-hardened nature of the centre-back's game.

Though his best days are most certainly behind him, Dunne's international career is ongoing since making his debut in 2000. Though his career has been blotted somewhat by a tendency for own goals, Dunne's prominence in the Republic of Ireland defence has made him a national legend down the years. 

Niall Quinn

Ninety-one caps collected throughout a 16-year career for the Republic of Ireland makes Niall Quinn the seventh-most experienced player ever to have represented the Boys in Green, and his 21 goals in that period is the second-highest scoring total, too.

Arsenal, Manchester City and Sunderland each benefited from the striker's scoring antics, and the man from Dublin enjoyed a glitzy career through the 1980s, '90s and early 2000s.