ON THIS DAY in 1976, Ireland’s football future began to look a little brighter.
Shay Given was born in Lifford, Co. Donegal, and things have been on the up ever since.
When he was 12 Ireland went to the European Championships and… well, the three World Cups that followed are a bit of a haze, but suffice to say he has dragged the country back to the top table.
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With Giovanni Traapattoni resting our entire hopes on a solid defence, Given is arguably the only irreplaceable player in the side.
He has come in for criticism for some of the more intangible goal-keeping skills like organising defence or commanding his area, but lets not get into all that now.
What’s important is that he’s one of the best shot-stoppers the Premier League has ever seen and, in the words of John Giles: ‘isn’t shot-stopping what goalies are there for?’
36 today: Shay Given is a big boy now
ON THIS DAY in 1976, Ireland’s football future began to look a little brighter.
Shay Given was born in Lifford, Co. Donegal, and things have been on the up ever since.
When he was 12 Ireland went to the European Championships and… well, the three World Cups that followed are a bit of a haze, but suffice to say he has dragged the country back to the top table.
With Giovanni Traapattoni resting our entire hopes on a solid defence, Given is arguably the only irreplaceable player in the side.
He has come in for criticism for some of the more intangible goal-keeping skills like organising defence or commanding his area, but lets not get into all that now.
What’s important is that he’s one of the best shot-stoppers the Premier League has ever seen and, in the words of John Giles: ‘isn’t shot-stopping what goalies are there for?’
Here’s proof of Shay’s mad skillz.
YouTube credit: LCTrussell1992Media
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Aston Villa COYBIG Euro2012 Legend like fine wine Newcastle Republic Of Ireland Shay Given shot-stopper