Contrary to the popularly held belief of the global game, the Republic of Ireland has produced some wonderful footballers over the years. In this article, OTB Sports' Colm Boohig picks the best Irish XI to have played in the Premier League era, AKA. from August 1992 to the present day.

This side has not necessarily been picked based on individual or collective achievement, nor has a player's Premier League longevity played a factor in their inclusion. In fact, some players in this team shone only briefly in England's top flight.

Rather, this team has been selected based on the most likely possibility of it defeating every other respective international Premier League XI. Each player has had to have made a significant Premier League contribution to be considered.

Most importantly, each player included in this team is playing in their first-choice, natural position. In other words, there has been no shoehorning of any player into this side or system, so players will be left disappointed. The formation is a classic 4-4-2 lineup.

Without further ado, here is the greatest Irish starting team to have played in the Premier League.

GK - Shay Given

No debate here. The Donegal native has easily been Ireland's standout goalkeeper over the 28-year history of the Premier League. He kept 113 clean sheets in 451 Premier League games for five different clubs.

Shay Given paid his dues overtime between the sticks by magnificently marshalling some truly horrendous Newcastle United defences during his 12 years at St. James' Park, more than earning his transfer to Manchester City in 2009. He toasted this nicely by winning the FA Cup in 2011 - the club's first trophy claimed under the current ownership - before departing for Aston Villa later that summer.

Starting off at Celtic under the guidance of fellow Irish goalkeeping icon Packie Bonner, Given further developed his trade at Blackburn Rovers (along with loans at Swindon Town and Sunderland) before signing for Newcastle.

Spells at Middlesbrough and Stoke City followed his Villa move. By this stage, he had already solidified his status as one of the great Premier League goalkeepers.

He was the chosen number one in the 2001/02 and the 2005/06 PFA Team of the Year.

Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given

Given's party piece was to consistently demonstrate his sub-human reflexes and incredible shot-stopping ability, both for club and country.

He made extraordinary saves commonplace and a nation thankful that he was Irish.

LB - Denis Irwin

Irish football has been blessed with fabulous fullbacks and the left-back slot had some serious contenders, namely in the shape of Steve Staunton and Ian Harte.

However, nobody can touch the best Irish fullback in Premier League history, Denis Irwin.

Like with everything in his career, little fuss was made when Irwin moved to Manchester United from Oldham Athletic (having started with Leeds United) in 1990. From there, the Togher native embarked on a glorious 12-year United career which culminated in seven Premier League titles, three FA Cup crowns, one League Cup, the European Cup Winners' Cup and, of course, the Champions League. He concluded his stellar career with two seasons at Wolves.

Now, we did say that one's trophy cabinet would not be a contributory factor in selection here and that is just fine, because this man did not require medals to justify his inclusion. Irwin was wrong-footed for a left-back but made that position his own, despite occasionally lining out at his more natural side for club and country.

Irwin - twice named in the Premier League's PFA Team of the Year - had it all for his position; tough-tackling and focused in defence, supreme going forward at a time when English-based fullbacks were not renowned for their attacking prowess.

Manchester United's Denis Irwin celebrates scoring the penalty against Liverpool

Add to that his amazing set-piece ability at free-kicks and penalties (he scored 18 Premier League goals and assisted a further 25) and Irwin was the complete player.

He may even be the best fullback in Premier League history, full stop.

CB - Paul McGrath

"Ohh-ahh, a certain choice, I say 'ooh-ahh, a certain choice'". That is Paul McGrath for you and his inclusion in this XI is unquestionable.

McGrath only played 166 Premier League games for Aston Villa and Derby County between 1992 and 1997 but, as mentioned in this article's introduction, the length of a player's service is irrelevant when under consideration for selection.

Alex Ferguson's quest for a cultural shift at Old Trafford saw the Scot banish McGrath from Manchester United in 1989, much to Aston Villa's gain. Despite never winning his battle for consistent fitness at Villa Park, McGrath earned the ultimate respect of his peers when he was voted the PFA Players' Player of the Year in the inaugural 1992/93 Premier League season.

To put that achievement into context, the only defenders to have subsequently won that award are John Terry in 2004/05 - when Chelsea clinched the Premier League at a canter - and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk in 2018/19, where the Dutchman ended the season as a European champion.

Both men were constantly fit; McGrath couldn't train properly.

L-R: PAUL McGRATH, ASTON VILLA. DARREN ANDERTON, TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Immortalised nationally after his performance against Italy at USA '94, McGrath helped Villa to two League Cups and a second-place Premier League finish during his seven years at the club. He finished his career at Sheffield United following his brief stint at Derby, where he helped maintain the Rams' Premier League status during his sole season at Pride Park.

A Rolls-Royce of a defender who, when able to perform anywhere near match fit would pocket the world's best attackers. The greatest Irish defender of all-time.

CB - Richard Dunne

The choice of McGrath's partner-in-crime was a tough call.

John O'Shea came close but despite his glowing Manchester United CV, the Waterford utility man is a victim of his own versatility. For the second time in this article, the 102-capped Staunton is deeply unfortunate, considering his overall quality and impressive double spells with Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Instead, it is Manchester City club legend Richard Dunne who gets the nod.

Defenders do no come more uncompromising than the former Everton, Villa (where he was named in the 2009/10 PFA Team of the Year) and Queens Park Rangers centre-half; the man who singlehandedly kept the Russians at bay on that famous evening in Moscow.

The Dubliner relished the ugly side of defending and excelled in an often poor City side, pre-Abu Dhabi, over nine years. Dunne became the first City player to be named the club's Player of the Year four seasons in a row, between 2005 and 2008.

That is a wonderful achievement considering the regular turmoil at Eastlands during this period.

Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor (left) and Manchester City's Richard Dunne (right) battle for the ball

His no-nonsense style would complement McGrath's consummate class nicely. It has the makings of a formidable defensive duo which would require the opposition's best to penetrate.

RB - Seamus Coleman

Back to the blessing of Irish fullbacks and the right-back slot was no easier to choose.

Champions League winner Steve Finnan came mightily close to selection here, and the Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United respective legends Stephen Carr and Gary Kelly were also considered. But for his competitive streak alone, the current Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman just pips it.

Ceaselessly tenacious, endlessly passionate and with the technique and stamina to match, the Killybegs man is the ultimate team player and one that is crucial in helping any international XI taste sweet victory.

Coleman - chosen in the 2013/14 PFA Team of the Year - has been a near-constant in the Everton side since breaking through in 2009 following his move from Sligo Rovers after a short loan period at Blackpool.

Everton's Seamus Coleman (right) and Watford's Sebastian Prodl (left) battle for the ball during the Carabao Cup, Fourth Round match at Goodison Park, Liverpool.

The 2013/14 Everton Players' and Supporters' Player of the Year has notched 20 goals and assisted a further 21 from right-back in 274 Premier League appearances to date. None of that is as impressive as Coleman's remarkable recovery and return to top-level football following that horrific leg break sustained at the Aviva Stadium against Wales.

At 31 years of age, Coleman is still going strong.

Watch as Colm Boohig, Ger Gilroy and Eoin Sheahan each name their best Irish Premier League XI on OTB AM:

LM - Damien Duff

Kevin Kilbane aside, the left flank was a no-brainer of a decision - Damien Duff is the most talented and consistent-with-his-talent Irish player in Premier League history.

There was a brief thought to select Duff up top so he could replicate his form at the 2002 World Cup, but we're putting him where he became famous.

Duff burst onto the scene at Blackburn and surprised precisely nobody by earning a big-money move to the freshly-rich Chelsea in 2003 where he would go on to thrive under José Mourinho, winning two Premier League titles and a League Cup.

Regardless of his small stature, Duff terrorised big defenders with his neat footwork and relentless speed, topped off by world-class end product.

Arsenal's goalkeeper Jens Lehmann saves at the feet of Chelsea's Damien Duff

The Ballyboden winger scored 54 and assisted 55 in 392 Premier League games for four different clubs - finishing at Newcastle and Fulham - and, despite the presumable difficulty of teaching what he could do on a pitch, is now thriving as a coach in retirement.

CM - Roy Keane (captain)

The first name on the team sheet. Captain Fantastic. Seven Premier League titles for Manchester United, four FA Cups and a Champions League (whether he likes it or not!), along with being voted as the 1999/00 PFA Players' Player of the Year having missed out the year prior to the Spurs winger, David Ginola.

Roy Keane's impact is hard to measure in numbers - 39 Premier League goals and 33 assists in 366 matches - but he had it all, and you know that already.

Roy Keane, Manchester United

He could tackle, he could run, he could fight, he could score and he was a much better passer than given credit. But more than anything else, Keane was a winner. And he won often.

CM - Stephen Ireland

Yes, controversial. Yes, there have been far more loyal central midfield servants to the Irish cause like Andy Townsend, Matt Holland, Mark Kinsella, John Sheridan, Andy and Steven Reid and Wes Hoolahan, all of who are arguably more deserving of their place when it comes to commitment.

In terms of sheer talent alone, however, the former Manchester City prodigy Stephen Ireland is picked in the centre alongside his Cork counterpart. For the briefest of moments, his star shone brightest.

It is easy to forget but Ireland was an outstanding prospect for club and country in the mid-to-late noughties. In total, he played just six times for the Republic of Ireland but still managed four goals from midfield during Steve Staunton's ill-fated reign.

Ireland played 246 Premier League matches as a creative midfielder - directly creating 28 goals and scoring 19 of his own - which included spells at Villa, Newcastle and Stoke. But it was at City where he was made.

Manchester City's Stephen Ireland and Tottenham Hotspur's Tom Huddlestone battle for the ball

While sharing a pitch with the likes of the Brazilian flair pair Robinho and Elano, Ireland was named as the club's Player of the Season in 2009. Things turned sour once Roberto Mancini was appointed and despite Ireland being voted Villa fans' Player of the Year in 2012, he was never the same after leaving City. Injuries and possible apathy took over.

He scored the occasional sumptuous goal in his peak but it was his guile on the ball and vision without it that stood Ireland apart. For a couple of seasons, Ireland was technically superior to most Premier League midfielders. He was, in fact, a-typically Irish in style.

We saw it so seldom but he flourished like few others when he produced.

RM - Jason McAteer

Not many wide players were as effective when on form, even if it was only ephemeral. Remember, each player must play in their natural position in this team and as far as Irish right-wingers go, with the arguable exception of a past-his-prime Ray Houghton, nobody has surpassed Jason McAteer in the Premier League.

Saying that name alone in these parts immediately elicits memories of September 1st, 2001 and that goal against the Netherlands at Lansdowne Road. For a couple of years in the 1990s, McAteer was superb on the righthand side for Liverpool in the Premier League as a flying, traditional wide man.

The youngster was a surprise inclusion in Jack Charlton's USA '94 squad and raised many more eyebrows following a tremendous cameo in the Italy victory.

He then performed so well for Bolton Wanderers in the 1995 League Cup final against Liverpool it prompted manager Roy Evans to sign the boyhood Liverpool supporter that summer following McAteer's eleventh-hour rejection of the newly-crowned Premier League champions, Blackburn.

Jason McAteer, Liverpool

McAteer spent four years on Merseyside with his first two seasons deemed a success, including a wonderful performance in the original 4-3 match against Newcastle in April 1996 (you remember his cross for Stan Collymore).

He played 29 Premier League games for a Liverpool side which finished third and reached the FA Cup final that year and started in all but one of Liverpool's league games in the 1996/97 campaign, when Evans' side placed fourth at season's end.

On his day, McAteer was a handful for the opposition courtesy of his direct dribbling style and insatiable work ethic. It culminated in seven goals and 17 assists throughout 156 Premier League games for Bolton, Liverpool, Blackburn and Sunderland.

Combined with Coleman's teamwork, this would be the hardest-working right side of any best international XI.

CF - Robbie Keane

Could there be anyone else?

His country's all-time top goalscorer. One hundred and twenty-six Premier League goals and 37 assists across 349 games for Coventry City, Leeds, Spurs, Liverpool, West Ham United and Villa. Spurs' Player of the Year on three separate occasions. Three Premier League Player of the Month awards with three different clubs.

Winner of the 2008 League Cup with Tottenham and one-half of a formidable strike partnership alongside Dimitar Berbatov; the Tallaght forward often acted as the provider for the Bulgarian.

Robbie Keane was a great goalscorer and a scorer of great goals. Two of his strikes made Nathan Murphy's top ten Irish Premier League goals ever and many more could have been selected.

Tottenham Hotspur's Robbie Keane does a somersalt to celebrate scoring the 2nd goal against Leeds United

Every football fan knows about Keane's goalscoring ability and the statistics provide proof. But there is a feeling he was still under-appreciated.

Keane was a brilliant footballer as well as an elite poacher. In hindsight, he was consistently more impressive than many of us realised at the time.

ST - Niall Quinn

Kevin Doyle and Shane Long each gave Niall Quinn a run for his money here, but the big man prevails. Quinn was a gifted footballer, not simply a handy target man. No Irish teen would be recruited by Arsenal if such perceived limitations were prevalent in their game.

His understanding with strike partner Kevin Phillips was a thing of beauty as the pair enthralled the Premier League when Sunderland finished seventh upon their return to the top flight in 1999/00. Quinn scored 14 league goals that season and played in all but one of the games. They finished seventh again in the following campaign with Quinn once more contributing significantly. It is little wonder that he is so revered in the North East to this day.

Quinn has additionally maintained his cult hero status among a particular demographic of Manchester City supporters since departing the club way back in 1996, six years after signing from Arsenal.

He made an impact wherever he went and if you're in any doubt about Quinn's ability, just YouTube his name and see for yourself - a collection of fantastic goals awaits.

Sunderland's Niall Quinn runs to celebrate after scoring the first goal as his team mate and other scorer Kevin Phillips runs behind him

In 250 Premier League appearances, Quinn notched 59 goals and set-up 37 more. At a time when managers sought to capitalise on the effectiveness of a front two, Quinn was the ideal strike partner.

Ask any centre-forward who played with him and any defender who battled against the 92-capped Irish international.

The Best Irish Premier League XI

(Plan B: if it's not working, Staunton and Hoolahan on as substitutes for McAteer and Quinn. A switch to a 5-3-2 formation with Staunton in as a third central defender, Hoolahan joining Keane and Ireland in midfield and Duff moving up top alongside Robbie Keane, with Irwin and Coleman providing the width.)

So, there you have it. The best starting line-up from Ireland in the 28 years of the Premier League. Disagree? Do let us know who you would have in or take out.

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