RANKED: 10 best Premier League goals scored by Irish players

One of the Premier League's all-time great set-piece specialists, nevermind Ireland's.

By the time spring 2002 came knocking, Leed United full-back Ian Harte was surprising precisely nobody with his prowess from free-kicks, making this 30-yard effort at Elland Road against Manchester United's Fabien Barthez look easy.

It was anything but simple. Harte's left-footed screamer was sublime, staking its claim as the pick of his 28 Premier League goals.

Leeds would go on to lose the game 4-3 in what proved to be a Premier League classic.

8. John O’Shea - Manchester United vs. Arsenal, February 2005

One of the great Premier League games best remembered for the role of two Irishmen, as we discussed on Off The Ball's Classic Game Club series.

Corkonian Roy Keane set the tone by squaring up to Patrick Vieira in the Highbury tunnel before Waterford's finest John O'Shea came off the bench to ensure a 4-2 victory with a sumptuous chip towards the titanic battle's conclusion.

Both goal and celebration were Cantona-esque.

7. Robbie Keane - Liverpool vs. Arsenal, December 2008

The Tallaght man's first of two entries in this prestigious list.

After six wonderful years at Tottenham Hotspur, Robbie Keane secured a big-money move to Liverpool in the summer of 2008... it did not work out. The reasons have since been detailed.

Regardless, Keane returned to White Hart Lane at the earliest opportunity - the 2009 January transfer window - but not before scoring this stunning on-the-run volley against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The goal marked the brightest moment of Keane's difficult six months on Merseyside.

6. Stephen Carr - Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United, October 1999

A supremely consistent and arguably underrated right-back for Spurs over 11 years, Stephen Carr was the first Irish player to win the Premier League Goal of the Month with this rocket against the then reigning Treble winners of Manchester United.

What a strike!

5. Steve Staunton - Aston Villa vs. Manchester United, March 1993

Aston Villa travelled to Old Trafford at the tail end of the inaugural Premier League season for a crunch game that was billed as a title decider.

The future Republic of Ireland "gaffer" Steve Staunton gave Villa the lead with this peach of a strike, courtesy of that wand of a left foot.

3.  Stephen Ireland - Manchester City vs. Reading, November 2007

It is hard to believe but Stephen Ireland was one of Manchester City's best players in the early days of the current ownership.

The season prior to Abu Dhabi's takeover, the 21-year-old Cobh native was establishing himself in Sven-Göran Eriksson's team, producing this glorious injury-time winner against Reading in November 2007.

Ireland really did have the world at his feet at one stage. What could have been, eh?

2. Stephen Reid - Blackburn Rovers vs. Wigan Athletic, December 2005

It is difficult not to add some classic Alan Partridge-inspired "foot like a traction engine" commentary to this frankly scandalous strike from the injury-plagued Stephen Reid that clocked in at 189km per hour.

This was Reid at his peak; as athletic and powerful a midfielder as Ireland has produced. Pity about the injuries which afflicted him so often throughout his still-impressive career.

1. Robbie Keane - Tottenham Hotspur vs. Blackburn Rovers, March 2006

The Republic of Ireland's greatest-ever striker scored 126 Premier League goals and this... this was the pick of the bunch.

Once Keane had completed his cheeky flick over Robbie Savage, there was only one thing on his mind. The only player on the list who could have scored this goal!