March 19, 2024

Republic of Ireland Squad at 2002 World Cup Finals

2002-world-cup-logo

The Irish football squad that travelled to Japan was quite experienced in terms of caps and in terms of age. The Republic of Ireland manager at the time, Mick McCarthy, did not spring any surprises with his squad choices.

The youngest player in the squad was Steven Reid, a 21 year old that played in midfield for Milwall. With just five caps he, along with Andy O’Brien, had the least international experience.

The rest of the Irish squad were largely seasoned campaigners with an overall average age of 27 years and an average of 33.7 caps each. The most experienced players in the squad were Niall Quinn and Steve Staunton who would become the first Irish footballer to win 100 hundred caps during the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan. At 35, Niall Quinn was also the eldest member of the of the playing panel.

Colin Healy almost made it into the squad on the back of Roy Keane’s departure following the infamous Saipan Incident however he missed out because the situation spiralled out of all control and thus Ireland began the competition with a diminished squad.

Republic of Ireland Squad Details

No. Name Position Club
Age
Caps
Goals
1
Shay Given Goalkeeper Newcastle United
26
39
0
2
Steven Finnan Defender Fulham
26
15
1
3
Ian Harte Defender Leeds United
24
40
8
4
Kenny Cunningham Defender Wimbledon
31
38
0
5
Stephen Staunton Midfielder Aston Villa
33
98
7
6
Roy Keane Midfielder Manchester United
30
58
9
7
Jason McAteer Midfielder Sunderland
31
47
3
8
Matt Holland Midfielder Ipswich Town
28
19
3
9
Damien Duff Forward Blackburn Rovers
23
26
1
10
Robbie Keane Forward Leeds United
22
33
10
11
Kevin Kilbane Midfielder Sunderland
25
33
3
12
Mark Kinsella Midfielder Charlton Athletic
31
28
3
13
David Connolly Forward Wimbledon
25
33
8
14
Gary Breen Defender Coventry City
28
43
5
15
Richard Dunne Defender Manchester City
22
14
3
16
Dean Kiely Goalkeeper Charlton Athletic
31
6
0
17
Niall Quinn Forward Sunderland
35
88
21
18
Gary Kelly Defender Leeds United
28
46
2
19
Clinton Morrison Forward Crystal Palace
23
7
2
20
Andy O’Brien Defender Newcastle United
23
5
0
21
Steven Reid Midfielder Milwall
21
5
2
22
Lee Carsley Midfielder Everton
28
19
0
23
Alan Kelly Goalkeeper Sheffield United
33
34
0
Averages
27.3
33.7

 

Ireland Euro 2016 – Irish Squad Euro 2016 – Ireland V Sweden Euro 2016
Ireland V Belgium Euro 2016 – Ireland V Italy Euro 2016 – Ireland V France Euro 2016

Ireland Euro 2012 – Irish Squad Euro 2012 – Euro 2012 Warm-up Matches
Ireland V Croatia Euro 2012 – Ireland V Spain Euro 2012 – Ireland V Italy Euro 2012
Fields of Athenry at Euro 2012

Ireland Euro 88 – Irish Squad Euro 88
Ireland v England Euro 88 – Ireland v Soviet Union Euro 88 – Ireland v Holland Euro 88

Ireland & 1990 World Cup Finals – Irish Squad World Cup 1990
Ireland V England 1990 – Ireland V Egypt 1990 – Ireland V Holland 1990
Ireland V Romania 1990 – Ireland V Italy 1990
Ireland & 1994 World Cup Finals – Irish Squad World Cup 1994
Ireland V Italy 1994 – Ireland V Mexico 1994 – Ireland V Norway 1994 – Ireland V Netherlands 1994
Ireland & 2002 World Cup Finals – 2002 World Cup Irish Squad – 2002 World Cup Irish Group Matches
Ireland V Cameroon 2002 – Ireland V Germany 2002 – Ireland V Saudi Arabia 2002 – Ireland V Spain 2002

Irish Soccer Information
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