Midfielders

LEE CARSLEY
Born: 28/2/74 Height: 5’9”

Lee joined Derby County as a trainee and is now a regular in the side at Pride Park. A former Ireland U-21 international, he was brought into the Senior side for the first time against Romania on October 11th 1997. His form for his country played a big part in persuading Blackburn Rovers to swoop for his services in March 1999. After captaining the Ewood Park club, he transferred back to the Premiership with Coventry in December 2000.

RORY DELAP
Born: 6/7/76 Height: 6’1”

Born in Sutton Coldfield, Rory's father is from Letterkenny and his mother from Navan. He started his career at Carlisle United, initally as a striker. His performances after then coach Mervyn Day switched him to wing-back drew the scouts and he joined Derby County in 1998. After progressing through Ian Evans' U-21 international squad, he played in three Senior friendlies in 1998 before starring in the Euro 2000 qualifiers. Joined Southampton for £4 million in August 2001.

DAMIEN DUFF
Born: 2/3/79 Height: 5’10”

Skilful player who has starred mostly on the left wing but stood out at the 1997 World Youth Cup in Malaysia as part of a three-man midfield. Made his Senior international debut against the Czech Republic in 1998 and became the first Irish player to play in two World Youth Cup tournaments when he starred in the 1999 tournament in Nigeria. Played schoolboy football for Leicester Celtic, Lourdes Celtic and St Kevins Boys.

STEVE FINNAN
Born: 20/4/76 Height: 5’10”

Born in Limerick, Steve's family moved to London when he was a child. He started his career at non-league Weymouth and attracted attention from Birmingham City. A loan spell with Notts County eventually led to a permanent move and as he progressed with the Irish U-21 team, he won a move to Fulham. A good B international display caught Mick McCarthy's eye and on April 26, 2000, he had his Senior debut against Greece.

MATT HOLLAND
Born: 11/4/74 Height: 5’10”

Began his career with West Ham but never managed to make the first team there. He established himself with Bournemouth under Mel Machin and impressed to earn a move to First Division Ipswich Town. Born in Bury, he qualifies for Ireland through his grandmother. One of the best players outside the Premiership, he made his Ireland debut as a substitute against Macedonia in Skopje on October 9, 1999.

ROY KEANE
Born: 10/8/71 Height: 5’10”

Roy started his career with Cobh Ramblers in Cork before moving to England to join Nottingham Forest. Under the guidance of Brian Clough he became one of the most promising midfielders in England and as a result Manchester United then paid a record fee of £3.75 million for his services. He won his first cap for the Republic of Ireland against Chile on May 22 1991. Now captain of club and country, winning Premiership, FA Cup and Champions League in 1999. Double player of the year in England in 2000.

MARK KENNEDY
Born: 15/5/76 Height: 5’11”

Mark started his football career with Belvedere in Dublin before moving to Milwall. He played 43 matches with the London club prior to joining Liverpool for £2 million in March 1995.A month later he scored a memorable goal against for the Republic’s U-21 side against Portugal at Richmond Park and he won his first full cap against Austria on September 6th 1995. He only made 16 appearances at Anfield and had a loan spell with QPR before joining Wimbledon. Joined Manchester City in the summer of 1999 and moved to Wolves in August 2001.

KEVIN KILBANE
Born: 1/2/77 Height: 6’0”

Kilbane started his career at his home town club, Preston North End, but rejected an England youth call-up to wait for his Irish drafting. His parents are from Mayo and Longford. A dynamic left winger, he can also play as wing-back. He won his first Senior cap against Iceland in 1997 but only in 1999 really developed on the senior stage. Joined West Brom in 1997 and moved to Sunderland in December 99.

MARK KINSELLA
Born: 12/8/72 Height: 5’8”

Mark started his football career with Home Farm before joining Colchester United. He scored 27 times for them in 180 League appearances. In May 1992 he made his Ireland U-21 debut against Albania and won eight caps at that level before joining Milwall in September 1996. During the 1996/97 season he joined Charlton Athletic. He won his first Senior international cap against the Czech Republic in 1998.

JASON McATEER
Born: 18/6/71 Height: 5’11”

Jason played with Bolton Wanderers before making the move to Liverpool. He could actually have played for any one of four countries at international level, but declared for the Republic and won his first cap against Russia at Lansdowne Road on March 23 1994. Starred at the World Cup that year. Joined Blackburn in 1998.

STEVEN REID
Born: 10/3/81 Height: 6’1”

Born in Kingston, London. His grandfather is from Ballinasloe. Joined the Irish set-up at the beginning of 2001 when drafted by Don Givens into the U-21 squad. Good performances against Cyprus, Estonia and Portugal prompted Mick McCarthy to give him his first start against Croatia. He has played his entire career with Millwall.

STEPHEN McPHAIL
Born: Height:

After a strong first full season in the Leeds team, Millwall took Stephen McPhail on loan towards the end of 2001/02. A spate of injuries of the past two years have robbed him of the chance to realise his full potential. He won his first Ireland cap against Scotland in 2000, going on to score his first international goal against South Africa that summer. However, an Achilles tendon injury wrote off the following season. McCarthy called him up for Ireland's match against Croatia at the start of the season but, as he was unable to break into the Leeds team, he did not make the squad for the competitive fixtures against Holland, Cyprus or Iran.

COLIN HEALY
Born: 14/3/80 Height: 5’11”

Moved from his native Ballincollig straight to youth appearances at Celtic Park. Has recently been on loan to Coventry City, where he attracted attention. Man of the Match in the Ireland friendly against Russia in early 2002.

GARETH FARRELLY
Born: 28/8/75 Height:

His was the goal that saved Everton from relegation in 1998. With only a handful of Premiership games with Aston Villa behind him, Mick McCarthy awarded him his first cap against Croatia in 1996. Unable to gain a regular place in the Villa side, he moved to Everton. However, when Walter Smith replaced Howard Kendall, Farrelly found he was no longer wanted at Goodison Park. He signed for Bolton Wanderers in 2000 and helped the Trotters win promotion to the Premiership. After picking up an injury early in the season, he has found it difficult to regain a regular place in the side, or to claim a regular spot in the Irish team.

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