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Northern Ireland's most capped male players: Steven Davis sets the standard

When Jonny Evans retired from international football in the summer of 2024, he did so with 107 caps collected over an 18-year period representing Northern Ireland at the top level.

The Manchester United defender had become just the fourth Northern Ireland player to win more than 100 caps, behind Aaron Hughes (112), Pat Jennings (119) and Steven Davis, who left the international stage in 2022 with an incredible 140 caps to his name.

That makes the former Southampton and Rangers midfielder the most capped male player in the United Kingdom, having claimed 15 more than the next best, England great Peter Shilton.

It is an elite club of men and while Davis' record might never be broken, there are members of the current Northern Ireland squad who would one day love to celebrate reaching 100 caps, a group currently led by Exeter City striker Josh Magennis.

Football

Most capped male Northern Ireland players

Rank

Player

Caps

1

Steven Davis

140

2

Pat Jennings

119

3

Aaron Hughes

112

4

Jonny Evans

107

5

David Healy

95

6

Mal Donaghy

91

7

Kyle Lafferty

89

8=

Sammy McIlroy

88

8=

Maik Taylor

88

10

Keith Gillespie

86

Steven Davis - 140

The answer to the quiz question 'who is the most capped player from Britain or Ireland?', Steven Davis spent nearly 20 years in the heart of Northern Ireland's midfield.

Making his name at Aston Villa, Davis was transferred to Rangers before returning to the Premier League with Southampton, heading back to Ibrox for a second spell in 2019.

Pat Jennings - 119

Known for many things - scoring in the FA Charity Shield, being the first goalkeeper to be named PFA Player of the Year, being transferred from Tottenham to Arsenal - Pat Jennings was also known, until 8 October 2020, as Northern Ireland's record appearance maker.

Jennings appeared at the 1982 World Cup, and would become the oldest player to appear at a World Cup when playing four years later in 1986.

Aaron Hughes

A versatile defender, Aaron Hughes was capable of playing all across the back line, no doubt helping him clear 100 caps for his country.

Hughes made his international debut in 1998, playing every single year until 2018 for his country.

Jonny Evans - 107

One of Northern Ireland's finest footballers, Jonny Evans came through the Manchester United academy and although he was never quite able to cement a place as a first-team regular, Evans left after nearly 200 appearances for the Red Devils, returning in 2023.

Evans was a part of Northern Ireland's squad for Euro 2016, and eventually hung up his boots in 2024.

David Healy - 95

Responsible for some of Northern Ireland's greatest nights, David Healy might have fallen short of reaching 100 caps, but holds the record as his country's top scorer with 35.

Perhaps Healy's finest hour in green came in September 2005 when he scored a 74th-minute winner to beat England 1-0 at Windsor Park.

Mal Donaghy - 90

Spending most of his career with Luton Town, Mal Donaghy lifted the League Cup with the Hatters in 1988 as they beat Arsenal in the final.

For a long time, Northern Ireland's most-capped outfield player, Donaghy appeared in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

Kyle Lafferty - 89

An incredible career that saw him play in all four divisions of the football league, as well as in Italy, Norway, Cyprus, Turkey and more also saw Kyle Lafferty retire as Northern Ireland's second highest goalscorer.

Making his debut in 2006, Lafferty made his final Northern Ireland appearance in 2022.

Sammy McIlroy - 88

A part of the Manchester United team that were relegated from and promoted to the top flight, Sammy McIlroy not only won the FA Cup with the club, but was a part of the successful Northern Irish team that made two World Cups.

McIlroy played in 1982, and captained the side in 1986.

Maik Taylor - 88

As a British citizen born abroad, Maik Taylor was able to represent any of England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, and despite no familial connections to them, Northern Ireland was Taylor's pick.

Beginning in non-league, Taylor spent time in all four tiers of English football and was on the bench for Birmingham's League Cup final win over Arsenal.

Over 12 years, Taylor was a regular stopper for Northern Ireland, making 88 appearances.

Keith Gillespie - 86

One of four players on this list to have come through the Manchester United academy, it wasn't until his move to Newcastle when Keith Gillespie really found his feet.

A preciously talented winger, Gillespie was part of Newcastle's Entertainers, and waited until 2002 until his first piece of major silverware, winning the League Cup with Blackburn, playing a total of 86 times for the national side.

*Stats correct as of 3rd December 2024.

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