Moments Irish fans still talk about: Premier League stories that never fade
The English Premier League is extremely popular in Ireland. Local fans closely follow the performances of their country’s representatives in the league and its associated cup competitions. Naturally, they have their favorite clubs, and many become fans of their family heritage, carrying on the family tradition. In this article, we’ve compiled some memorable Premier League stories featuring Irish players.
Why the Premier League holds a special place in Ireland
People in Ireland are very passionate about soccer. In terms of popularity, it rivals rugby, second only to Gaelic sports. Unfortunately, the Irish football league isn’t particularly strong, so the best players traditionally move on to stronger leagues. The most attractive option for them is England. They don’t have to travel far from home, learn a new language, or make a major cultural adjustment. The Premier League is considered the strongest soccer league in the world, so playing there is highly prestigious.
A long-standing connection between Irish fans and English clubs
Of course, Irish fans closely follow the achievements of their compatriots, but for many of them, interest in English soccer goes beyond mere patriotism. Since the mid-20th century, when the BBC began broadcasting sports, viewership ratings for First Division matches (the predecessor of the current Premier League) have always been high. It was then that the widespread tradition of supporting specific English clubs began, a tradition that has now spanned many decades. There are families where favorite teams are “passed down” from generation to generation.
Travel, TV coverage, and generations growing up with the league
Irish soccer fans today don’t just watch match broadcasts at home or in pubs. Many of them attend their favorite clubs’ matches in person, since the distances aren’t that great. In short, it’s safe to say that the Premier League is practically considered a local championship in the country. The League of Ireland still lags far behind in terms of overall interest in the tournaments. Whether that’s good or bad, it’s a fact.
Iconic matches that became Irish pub legends
Many Premier League stories are directly linked to figures from Irish football.
Let’s look back at some of the highlights.
Dramatic title deciders and last-minute winners
Let’s start with the matches that decided the fate of English association footballtitles.
Arsenal vs. Manchester United 3–2 (1979). A match that went down in FA Cup history as the “five-minute final.” Frank Stapleton scored the Londoners’ second goal, making it 2–0. After Manchester United managed to tie the game with two goals in the 86th and 88th minutes, Liam Brady orchestrated the decisive attack that brought the trophy to Arsenal.
Liverpool vs. Tottenham 3–1 (1982). Here, a brace by Ronny Whelan secured the League Cup for the Merseysiders.
Liverpool 1–0 Manchester United (1983). And once again, Ronny Whelan, who scored the “golden goal” in extra time of the League Cup final.
Manchester United vs. Brighton 4–0 (1983). In this FA Cup final replay, Frank Stapleton made history as the first player to score in the tournament’s decisive matches while playing for two different teams.
Liverpool – Chelsea 0–0, 11–10 on penalties (2022). The League Cup final served as a debut for young goalkeeper Caoimhín Odhrán Kelleher, who kept a clean sheet during regulation time and scored the decisive goal in the penalty shootout.
Of course, this is by no means an exhaustive list. For example, we haven’t included matches featuring Roy Keane, who won numerous titles with Manchester United, or other Irish players who made significant contributions to their clubs’ championship runs. Here are the matches in which Irish players became the heroes of decisive encounters.
Comebacks and rivalries that dominated conversations
Some matches, even those with little significance in the tournament, remain forever etched in fans’ memories thanks to their dramatic conclusions. For example:
Manchester City 2–1 Derby County (1991). The home team’s striker, Niall Quinn, became the hero of the match. First, he put his team ahead, and at the end of the game, he took his place in goal after the goalkeeper was sent off, managing to save a penalty and keep a clean sheet.
Tottenham 3–5 Manchester United (2001). After the first half, the visitors were hopelessly down 0–3, but in the second half, they didn’t give the home team the slightest chance. Roy Keane and Denis Irwin played a significant role in this comeback.
Newcastle – Arsenal 4–4 (2011). The first match in Premier League history where a team managed to come back from a 4-goal deficit. Irish forward Leon Best played an active role in the hosts’ comeback, scoring Newcastle’s second goal.
Everton vs. Crystal Palace 3–2 (2022). In a Premier League relegation battle, the home team went into halftime down by two goals. Then a minor miracle occurred, orchestrated in part by Everton defender Séamus Coleman.
It’s matches like these that make people love soccer, and in England, they happen more often than anywhere else.
Irish players who shaped Premier League history
Premier League stories are remembered by many Irish players who became true idols for their clubs’ fans. Through their achievements, they have fully earned their status as legends.
Roy Keane, George Best, and others
We’ve compiled our top 5 list of the best Irish players to have played in England’s top flight:
Roy Keane. Long-time captain of Manchester United during Alex Ferguson’s golden era. With the club, he won the Premier League seven times, the FA Cup and League Cup four times each, and also claimed the Champions League and Intercontinental Cup. In 2004, the midfielder was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.
George Best. A winger considered the greatest British player in history. Best played for the Northern Ireland national team, but many Irish people also consider him one of their own. In 1968, he led Manchester United to victory in the European Cup and was awarded the Ballon d’Or that same year. He ranks 8th on World Soccer’s list of the greatest footballers of the 20th century.
Robbie Keane. The all-time leading scorer for the Irish national team is remembered as one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League during the 2000s. He played for six Premier League clubs, scoring 126 goals in the process.
Liam Brady. An Arsenal star of the 1970s, recognized by fans as one of the team’s best midfielders in its history. He helped the London club win the FA Cup. Despite his relatively early move to Italy, he fully earned his status as an Arsenal legend.
David O'Leary. A defender best known for his time at Arsenal. He holds the club record for most appearances (722).
The list could easily be expanded to include Denis Irwin (Manchester United), Shay Given (Newcastle, Manchester City), Damien Duff (Chelsea, Blackburn), David O'Leary (Arsenal), Paul McGrath (Manchester United, Aston Villa), Martin O'Neill (Nottingham), Frank Stapleton (Arsenal, Manchester United), and Ronald Whelan (Liverpool). All of these players also left a very significant mark on English football.
Moments that made Irish fans feel personally connected
Every fan has their own story. Some have supported their favorite club for as long as they can remember. For others, a specific memorable event served as a turning point. For example, many became Manchester United fans after the spectacular comeback in the 1999 Champions League final, with two goals from corner kicks in stoppage time. But for some, the magic happened a little earlier, in the semifinals, when the goal by Roy Keane—as reported by the Irish Examiner—against Juventus sparked Manchester United’s comeback from a seemingly hopeless 0–2 deficit to a 3–2 victory. There have been more than enough dramatic stories in the history of the Premier League.
Clubs that built massive Irish followings
Many Premier League teams have fan clubs in Ireland, including groups such as Dempsey Carryduff MUSC. Their members not only closely follow all the matches and news, but also regularly travel to England to cheer on their favorite teams at the stadium.
Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal fandom in Ireland
A Football fan survey shows that Liverpool and Manchester United are currently vying for the top spot in popularity among the Irish. Arsenal follows closely behind. These are Ireland’s all-time favorites. Chelsea and Manchester City also make the top five, but the World Football Index notes that interest in these two clubs has surged in the 21st century after they began achieving significant success on the domestic and international stages.
How supporter culture formed
Liverpool is a city with a very strong Irish diaspora. The dominance of the local club of the same name in the 1970s and 1980s helped foster a strong fan base that continues to grow. St Derry official Liverpool supporters consider Ronnie Whelan, Steve Staunton, John Aldridge, and Ray Houghton to be legends. By the way, Everton is also very popular in Ireland.
Manchester United is loved for its history. Many have rooted for this team since 1958, following the Munich air disaster. The Manchester United supporters club has always valued Irish players; one need only recall George Best and Roy Keane. Moreover, the city is connected to Dublin by ferry and short flights, which makes it much easier for “MU” fans to visit Old Trafford or the Etihad Stadium.
The core of London’s Arsenal in the 70s and 80s consisted of Irish players, which naturally ensured the club had massive fan support. It was even jokingly renamed “Éiresenal” (a pun on Éire). Emirates Stadium (formerly Highbury) is located right next to the historic center of the Irish diaspora in London. Famous players: David O'Leary, Liam Brady, Frank Stapleton, Niall Quinn.
Match day rituals that Irish fans still share
For most Irish fans, watching the Premier League matches is a whole ritual. In the UK, traditions are highly valued, and people try not to break them.
Watching big games together in pubs and fan clubs
On soccer days, Irish men have a legitimate reason to visit the pub. There, they can cheer on their favorite team in an atmosphere that’s as close as possible to being in the stands. Interacting with other fans always adds to the excitement of the game, whether it’s a regular League of Ireland season or a world football.
Travelling to England for unforgettable match day experiences
As mentioned earlier, trips to Premier League matches are quite common in Ireland. Supporters clubs for many English teams regularly organize group trips to England. Naturally, ordinary tourists don’t miss the opportunity to attend a match either.
How Irish fans follow the Premier League today
These days, it’s easy to watch the Premier League in Ireland. This season, the official broadcasters are Sky Sports, TNT Sports, and Premier Sports. You can also use popular streaming services to watch online.
Stories that continue to be retold
People describing themselves as fans will always find something to talk about. Their memories can hold onto Premier League stories that took place decades ago. They’re ready to argue until they’re hoarse about all sorts of topics, from what Arsenal was missing to win the title during its best Irish times era in the 1970s, to whether Alex Ferguson’s decision to kick Roy Keane out of Manchester United in the mid-2000s was fair.
Famous goals
Irish footballers have scored many beautiful goals that fans still remember to this day. For example, George Best’s goal against Sheffield in 1971, where he dribbled past four defenders and the goalkeeper. Or Roy Keane’s decisive strike in the 1993 Manchester derby, which allowed United to snatch a victory from a 0-2 deficit. Many United fans also still remember John O’Shea’s goal against Liverpool, which practically secured the championship in 2007. There have also been record-breaking goals. In 2019, it took Southampton forward Shane Long just 7.69 seconds to beat the Sheffield goalkeeper.
Why certain Premier League moments never fade for Irish fans
The Premier League is a competition with a rich history, full of fascinating moments. And that history continues to unfold before our very eyes. Irish fans feel a deep connection to this great competition and are always eager to relive the most memorable moments in the Premier League.
