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Kenny Cunningham's had a go at picking his all-Ireland XI

Earlier, Off The Ball's Kevin Kilbane picked his all-Ireland XI composed of players from the Repu...



Kenny Cunningham's had a g...
Soccer

Kenny Cunningham's had a go at picking his all-Ireland XI

Earlier, Off The Ball's Kevin Kilbane picked his all-Ireland XI composed of players from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

His criteria was players that he was actually able to see with his own eyes which meant the cut-off point could only include players from after 1986.

Kevin's former Ireland team-mate Kenny Cunningham also had a go at picking his own team.

But who did the former Ireland centre-back go for?

Well, without further ado, here it is in no particular order and not with as strict criteria as Kevin's:

George Best

"I don't think you can put an all-Ireland team together and expect not to have George Best in the starting XI," says Kenny.

Norman Whiteside

"I think we forget how good he was at such a young age. He went to the World Cup at 17 years of age. But I think in terms of the qualities that he had at a very young age - obviously curtailed through injury - but he was outstanding." 

Pat Jennings

"I'd have Pat Jennings between the posts." 

Paul McGrath

"I was fortunate enough to play my first two games alongside Paul. I could put Paul anywhere in the team including central midfield."  

Liam Brady

Kenny also picked out the former Arsenal, Ireland and Juventus midfield star.

Kevin Moran

The former Manchester United centre-back was name-checked by Kenny. 

Roy Keane

While Kenny praised Kevin's ability to play in central midfield during one qualifying campaign for Ireland, the former captain makes the team.

Denis Irwin

"Nobody touches Denis Irwin at left-back."  

Gary Kelly/Steve Finnan/Stephen Carr

Kenny believes Ireland have been blessed at right-back in terms of the quality of player produced over the generations.

"In the last 20 years, we've had the best collection of right backs in world football," says Kenny, particularly praising the aforementioned trio including the uber-efficient Finnan.

Damien Duff 

"Damien Duff on the left hand side...maybe just pipping Kevin [Kilbane] - maybe just by a hair's breathe," says Kenny, getting in a joking quip in at Kevin's expense, to laughter from Kilbane. 

Robbie Keane

"I would suggest Robbie just in terms of his goalscoring record and longevity and the impact that he had in the Ireland setup." 

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