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Republic of Ireland's most capped male players: Robbie Keane holds ROI benchmark

Robbie Keane is the Republic of Ireland's all-time record cap holder, with his 146 appearances 12 more than old team-mate Shay Given's 134.

The striker made his debut in 1998 and played through until 2016, also scoring a record 68 goals for the Boys in Green.

Goalkeeper Given is one of six other centurions, with John O'Shea (118), Kevin Kilbane (110), James McClean (103), Steve Staunton (102) and Damien Duff (100).

We take a look through the record books to see who are the most capped Republic of Ireland players of all time.

Football

Most capped male Republic of Ireland players

1 - Robbie Keane - 146

A regular member of the Republic of Ireland side for nearly 20 years from his debut in 1998 to his retirement in 2016, Robbie Keane holds the record for the most caps for his nation, with a record that may never be broken.

Keane played for six English Premier League clubs over the course of his career, also turning out for Inter, Celtic and enjoying a fruitful spell in MLS.

2 - Shay Given - 134

Alongside Robbie Keane almost every step of the way was Shay Given.

One of the Premier League's finest goalkeepers, Given announced his international retirement in 2012, returning six months later, and picking up nine more caps to end a 20-year international career.

3 - John O'Shea - 118

From his debut in 2001 to his retirement in 2018, John O'Shea made at least one appearance for Ireland every single year.

The ultra-versatile defender is second in terms of outfield appearances, and though the 2002 World Cup came slightly too soon in O'Shea's international career, he did appear at Euro 2008 and Euro 2012.

4 - Kevin Kilbane - 110

After breaking through into the national side in the late 1990s, Kevin Kilbane was a virtual ever-present for Ireland for a decade; indeed, Kilbane appeared in 66 consecutive games for the national team with his run eventually coming to an end in 2011, with the winger announcing his retirement shortly after.

5 - James McClean - 103

Despite his international career only lasting 11 years, James McClean became a crucial part of the Republic of Ireland side in that time, becoming just the seventh player to clear 100 appearances for the Boys in Green.

Although they'd fall short against Denmark, McClean scored the only goal of the game against Wales as the Republic of Ireland won 1-0 in a 2018 World Cup qualifier to secure their place in the play-offs.

6 - Steve Staunton - 102

Spending the vast majority of his club career between spells at Liverpool and Aston Villa, Steve Staunton's international career spanned three decades.

Making his debut in 1988, Staunton would appear at the 1990, 1994 and 2002 World Cups, captaining the side at the latter.

7 - Damien Duff - 100

Damien Duff would capture the wider footballing public's attention in the early 2000s, when his performances for Blackburn earned him a move to big-spending Chelsea. Of course, Duff was well known to the Irish public long before then, having made his debut for the national side back in 1998.

Duff would end his career on exactly 100 caps, retiring in 2012.

8 - Aiden McGeady - 93

A supremely talented winger whose performances for Celtic saw him make the unusual move to Russia to play for Spartak Moscow, Aiden McGeady remained an Ireland regular throughout those years, earning a call-up to the squad for Euro 2012 and Euro 2016.

9 - Glenn Whelan - 91

Sufficiently impressing for Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship, Glenn Whelan made his Ireland debut in 2008, becoming a regular in the side for a decade.

Unfortunate to miss out on a place in the 2010 World Cup, Whelan did contribute to their qualifying efforts with perhaps the highlight of his career, scoring from 25 yards against Italy.

9 - Niall Quinn - 91

Niall Quinn played 91 times for Ireland, scoring 21 goals, second behind Robbie Keane.

Quinn's international career spanned 16 years from 1986 to 2002, and saw him appear at two World Cups.

*Stats correct as of 18th November 2024.

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