Most Decorated Irish FootballersThree Irish footballers have won more major honours and trophies for their clubs in Britain than any others. It will probably come as no surprise that the list of trophy winners is headed by Denis Irwin, Ronnie Whelan of Liverpool, and Roy Keane – all on 19 trophies. The three share a total haul of of 20 First Division or Premier League winners’ medals, 10 FA Cup medals, four League Cup medals, and three European Cups/Champions League titles. The most decorated footballer from Northern Ireland is Neil Lennon who has won 13 major honours in Scotland with Celtic. His tally includes five Scottish Premier League medals. The full list of Irish players that have won five, or more, major honours is below. Some of the any great Irish players have not made the list include Jimmy Dunne, Jackie Carey, Noel Cantwell, Sammy McIlroy, Pat Jennings, Liam Brady, Frank Stapleton, Niall Quinn, and Robbie Keane, to name but a few. However perhaps the most outstanding player missing from the list is the incomparable and truly great Paul McGrath. Former Liverpool winger Steve Heighway may fifth on the list below however he has the notable distinction, along with Martin O’Neill, of having won the European Cup (now Champions League) twice. Other Northern Ireland players, after Neil Lennon, that have made the list include Jonny Evans (still playing for Manchester United), Steven Davis, current Republic of Ireland Manager Martin O’Neill, Kyle Lafferty, Jimmy Nicholl, Bertie Peacock, and Elisha Scott. Somewhat surprisingly the astonishingly gifted George Best, with just five major honours to his name, is close to the bottom the list below.
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