March 28, 2024

Most Decorated Irish Footballers

Denis Irwin of Manchester United

Three Irish footballers have won more major honours and trophies for their clubs in Britain than any others. It will probably come as no surprise that the list of trophy winners is headed by Denis Irwin, Ronnie Whelan of Liverpool, and Roy Keane – all on 19 trophies. The three share a total haul of of 20 First Division or Premier League winners’ medals, 10 FA Cup medals, four League Cup medals, and three European Cups/Champions League titles.

The most decorated footballer from Northern Ireland is Neil Lennon who has won 13 major honours in Scotland with Celtic. His tally includes five Scottish Premier League medals.

The full list of Irish players that have won five, or more, major honours is below. Some of the any great Irish players have not made the list include Jimmy Dunne, Jackie Carey, Noel Cantwell, Sammy McIlroy, Pat Jennings, Liam Brady, Frank Stapleton, Niall Quinn, and Robbie Keane, to name but a few. However perhaps the most outstanding player missing from the list is the incomparable and truly great Paul McGrath.

Former Liverpool winger Steve Heighway may fifth on the list below however he has the notable distinction, along with Martin O’Neill, of having won the European Cup (now Champions League) twice.

Other Northern Ireland players, after Neil Lennon, that have made the list include Jonny Evans (still playing for Manchester United), Steven Davis, current Republic of Ireland Manager Martin O’Neill, Kyle Lafferty, Jimmy Nicholl, Bertie Peacock, and Elisha Scott. Somewhat surprisingly the astonishingly gifted George Best, with just five major honours to his name, is close to the bottom the list below.

Footballer Republic / Northern
No. Trophies
Denis Irwin Republic of Ireland ireland
19
Ronnie Whelan Republic of Ireland ireland
19
Roy Keane Republic of Ireland ireland
19
John O’Shea Republic of Ireland ireland
15
Steve Heighway Republic of Ireland ireland
15
Neil Lennon Northern Ireland northern-ireland
13
Mark Lawrenson Republic of Ireland ireland
12
Kevin Sheedy Republic of Ireland ireland
9
Jonny Evans Northern Ireland northern-ireland
9
John Giles Republic of Ireland ireland
9
Steven Davis Northern Ireland northern-ireland
8
Ray Houghton Republic of Ireland ireland
8
Packie Bonner Republic of Ireland ireland
8
Martin O’Neill Northern Ireland northern-ireland
8
Aiden McGeady Republic of Ireland ireland
8
Steve Staunton Republic of Ireland ireland
6
Kyle Lafferty Northern Ireland northern-ireland
6
Jimmy Nicholl Northern Ireland northern-ireland
6
David O’Leary Republic of Ireland ireland
6
Tony Dunne Republic of Ireland ireland
5
Paddy Mulligan Republic of Ireland ireland
5
John Aldridge Republic of Ireland ireland
5
George Best Northern Ireland northern-ireland
5
Elisha Scott Northern Ireland northern-ireland
5
Damien Duff Republic of Ireland ireland
5
Bertie Peacock Northern Ireland northern-ireland
5
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