If you ask Irish supporters about Paddy Kenny, there is a good chance that the first that comes to their mind will be one of the most embarrassing nights in Ireland's footballing history.
We are of course talking about the 5-2 defeat in Cyprus, the game which all but ended Steve Staunton's time in charge of the team. As it turned out, it would also be the end of Kenny's international career.
The former Sheffield United goalkeeper won only seven caps during his playing days, a number that seems on the low side when you consider he operated at a high level in English football for over a decade.
He would never be brought back into the fold after the game in Nicosia. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Kenny revealed that Staunton placed much of the blame for the loss at his feet. It's something he didn't take all that kindly to.
I was looking forward to working with Stan, after enjoying my time under Brian Kerr. With the career Stan had, his background, it was very exciting.
So I was obviously disappointed when I felt his fingers were pointing at me, and only me. One goal was my fault, but he singled me out and nobody else.
I don't know if they expected me, being from the Championship, to sit and take it, but I'm not that type of person.
I got up and told him what I thought...it wasn't just me who f*cked up.
Despite never playing for Ireland again, Kenny continued to play to a high standard in England. He even had a spell as a first choice goalkeeper in the Premier League with QPR, also spending time at Leeds United.
Looking back, he feels he should have had more international caps.
When I look back, I went on to QPR after that and had two of the best years of my career, and I was thinking 'surely I am in the mix here...' I'd 25 clean sheets in 44 games but keepers in the lower down leagues were still being picked.
Seven caps is still seven more than I ever thought I'd get – I made it to the pro game without a goalkeeping coach – but I do feel there should have been a lot more.
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