LEINSTER’S UPCOMING CLASH with Munster in the Pro12 later today got us thinking: what if the two sides had equivalent teams in football?

Once, Leinster and in particular Dublin was considered the main soccer stronghold in the country. However, over the years, the game has undoubtedly expanded considerably in Munster (and indeed Connacht and Ulster too), as highlighted by the fact that it would currently be possible to field a decent team from players born in the province.

So check out the sides below, while keeping in mind the added imaginary caveat that the teams can’t sign foreign players (unlike in rugby), and let us know who you would choose in a Leinster and Munster best XI.

Leinster

Darren Randolph (Wicklow)

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Joey O’Brien (Dublin)

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Paul McShane (Wicklow)

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Richard Dunne (Dublin)

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Glenn Whelan (Dublin)

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Jeff Hendrick (Dublin)

Tim Goode Tim Goode

Robbie Brady (Dublin)

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Andy Reid (Dublin)

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Wes Hoolahan (Dublin)

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Robbie Keane (Dublin)

Jae C. Hong Jae C. Hong

Kevin Doyle (Wexford)

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Subs: Stephen Henderson (Dublin), Stephen Ward (Dublin), Matt Doherty (Dublin), Stephen Quinn (Dublin), Damien Duff (Dublin), Stephen Hunt (Laois), Anthony Stokes (Dublin).

Munster

Brian Murphy (Waterford)

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Brian Lenihan (Cork)

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Damien Delaney (Cork)

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John O’Shea (Waterford)

Scott Heppell Scott Heppell

Eoghan O’Connell (Cork)

Mike Egerton Mike Egerton

David Meyler (Cork)

Richard Sellers Richard Sellers

Stephen Ireland (Cork)

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Liam Miller (Cork)

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Daryl Murphy (Waterford)

Barrington Coombs Barrington Coombs

Shane Long (Tipperary)

Chris Ison Chris Ison

Noel Hunt (Waterford)

John Walton John Walton

Subs: Colin Doyle (Cork), Kevin Long (Cork), John Egan (Cork), Alan Browne (Cork), Kenny McEvoy (Waterford), Colin Healy (Cork), Mark O’Sullivan (Cork).

Formations

Leinster XI

Randolph

McShane Dunne O’Brien

Brady Hoolahan Hendrick Whelan Reid

Keane Doyle

Munster XI

Murphy

Lenihan Delaney O’Shea O’Connell

Miller Meyler Ireland

Long Hunt Murphy

Who would make your respective Leinster and Munster soccer teams?

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