It's the second year of EA Sports FC and in FC 25 there's been little change in the fortune of the Irish player ratings.
We unfortunately don't have any attackers over the rating of 75 that aren't special cards and, in the overall ratings of Irish players, it's the women doing a lot of the heavy lifting, much like in real life.
However, it is a new era of Irish football with Heimir Hallgrímsson at the helm and the game gives players the chance to play with a potential Ireland team they would like to see the Icelandic play.
That being said here's the best XI of male Irish players you can play with on EA Sports FC 25 based purely on overalls.
Note: This is just a male Irish XI, we will have a female XI coming as well
Best Male Irish XI In EA Sports FC 25
Formation: 3-1-4-2
Goalkeeper- Caoimhin Kelleher (77 OVR)
10 September 2024; Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher during the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match between Republic of Ireland and Greece at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
In nets much like in real life Caoimhin Kelleher has asserted himself at first choice for Ireland and after his impressive spells in between the sticks for Libverpool at points last season Kelleher is now the highest rated male Irish player at 77 overall.
Centre-Backs- Jake O'Brien & Nathan Collins (75 OVR), Dara O'Shea (74 OVR)
27 September 2022; Republic of Ireland players, from left, Nathan Collins, Dara O'Shea, Troy Parrott and Robbie Brady before the UEFA Nations League B Group 1 match between Republic of Ireland and Armenia at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
At the back, we have an all-Premier League back 3 with Jake O'Brien and Nathan Collins coming in as the highest-rated Irish defenders at 75 while Ipswich's Dara O'Shea isn't far off at 74.
O'Brien looks to be the best player to use out of the three with his 76 pace meaning he will be able to keep up with pacy forwards as well as standing at 6'6 so he can compete physically with the best of them.
CDM- Josh Cullen (76 OVR)
11 June 2024; Josh Cullen of Republic of Ireland during the international friendly match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland at Estádio Municipal de Aveiro in Aveiro, Portugal. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
At the heart of midfield, there's now-Championship player Josh Cullen who's the highest-rated outfield player at 76. Much like real life, Cullen is the highest-rated passer in the team with 75 passing.
Right Midfielder- Chiedozie Ogbene (73 OVR)
10 September 2024; Chiedozie Ogbene of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match between Republic of Ireland and Greece at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
On the right flank, it's the fastest Irish player in the game Chiedozie Ogbene. The Ipswich man has 91 pace and has a right-back base card but can set out at RM too.
Centre-Mids- Will Smallbone (73 OVR) & Alan Browne (72 OVR)
10 September 2024; Will Smallbone of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match between Republic of Ireland and Greece at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
In the centre of the park, it's Will Smallbone and Alan Browne. There isn't a plethora of choice for the middle of the park with Brisbane Roar's Jay O'Shea nearly making the side with his 71 rating.
Both can do a job for you especially Browne who looks like a real all-rounder.
Left Midfielder- Mikey Johnston (72 OVR)
26 March 2024; Mikey Johnston of Republic of Ireland during the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Switzerland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Mikey Johnston looks like he might be the most fun to play with in this squad with his 4-star skills as well as 85 pace.
Strikers- Sammie Szmodics (75 OVR) & Evan Ferguson (74 OVR)
22 March 2024; Sammie Szmodics and Evan Ferguson, left, during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Up top, we have a strike pairing that is yet to click together in real life but it could be very effective. Sammie Szmodics finally made his Premier League move with Ipswich over the summer after finishing last season as the Championship's top goalscorer for a struggling Blackburn Rovers side.
And next to him it's probably one of the most talked about Irish footballers at the moment in Evan Ferguson. Ferguson didn't get the chance to build on his breakthrough 2022-23 season as injuries kept him out of the squad but at only 19, the future is still bright for the Brighton forward.
Now if you want to use special cards you can improve this team with the likes of Roy Keane's Icon card, Robbie Keane's Heroes card and Troy Parrott's 80-rated in-form card.
Hopefully, there will be more Irish special cards as the year goes on.
