We at Balls.ie have compiled an XI of Irish internationals who we think get the short end of the stick from all the armchair analysts and pundits out there who love nothing more than to have a moan at the boys in green.
These are they:
Goalkeeper - Keiren Westwood
The critics say: He was shite in the 6-1 loss to Germany. Not good enough.
Why that's harsh: We were absolutely steamrolled in every aspect of the game against Germany and he's in the Championship team of the year.
Right Back - Stephen Kelly
The critics say: He's shite.
Why that's harsh: A solid Premier League career and solid if unspectacular in the green jersey.
Centre Back - Paul McShane
The critics say: He's absolutely shite.
Why that's harsh: Just ask Jan bloody Koller. Very good end to the season with Hull.
Centre Back - Mick McCarthy
The critics say: "You're a crap player, and a crap manager." - Roy Keane
Why that's harsh: He was a good Ireland captain, Roy.
Left Back - Kevin Kilbane (the left-back version)
The critics say: He's a disaster at left back.
Why that's harsh: He was a bloody winger, and a damn fine one at that.
Defensive Mid - James McCarthy
The critics say: He doesn't care about Ireland. Never plays well for us.
Why that's harsh: Irish football is fundamentally based on bypassing the midfield completely.
Centre Mid - Keith Andrews
The critics say: Himself and Glen Whelan are absolutely crap in the middle.
Why that's harsh: Was easily our best option from 2009-2012, always played will in big games, best hair in the game.
Centre Mid - Glen Whelan
The critics say: Himself and Keith Andrews are absolutely crap in the middle.
Why that's harsh: Premier League stalwart, solid as they come.
Attacking Mid - Aiden McGeady
The critics say: He's a waster.
Why that's harsh: One of the only Irish players ever who could dribble, regularly double marked.
Striker - David Connolly
The critics say: He's shite.
Why that's harsh: No better man for a hat-trick against Lichtenstein, he did pop up with some very important goals.
Striker - Robbie Keane
The critics say: He needs 10 chances to take one.
Why that's harsh: By that standard he should have 650 goals in 139 appearances. He's Ireland's all time leading goalscorer, he's gotten us out of an uncountable amount of tricky situations, we've never had a striker as good as him. Pipe down.
We know some of our readers will disagree with this most serious of fantasy XI's, so to them we say...
Photo credit: SPORTSFILE.
