IT’S OVER 20 years now since Shay Given made his Republic of Ireland debut.
That came on March 27, 1996, when, in Mick McCarthy’s first game as Ireland manager having replaced Jack Charlton, a 19-year-old from Lifford kept goal at Lansdowne Road in a 2-0 loss to Russia.
[adrotate group=”66″]Given has been named on the bench for tonight’s friendly at the Aviva Stadium against the Netherlands, 20 years and 61 days since he first appeared for the Boys in Green.
Tonight, the 40-year-old might see his first action for his country since last October – and he could break a record if he comes on in place of Darren Randolph.
Given hasn’t played for Ireland since he was forced off through injury during Ireland’s 1-0 win over Germany, a result that paved the way for qualification for Euro 2016.
Ireland open their campaign in that particular competition on Monday fortnight when they take on Sweden at the Stade de France in Paris and will also face Belgium in Bordeaux and then Italy in Lille in Group E.
Johnny Giles made his Ireland debut at Dalymount Park on November 1, 1959 at Dalymount Park and his 59th and last cap was in their 3-1 loss to West Germany on May 22, 1979. The former Leeds United midfielder therefore was an international football for 19 years and 202Â days.
[adrotate group=”69″]*Giles and Given are currently the two longest players to have played for the Republic of Ireland in its current guise.
However, Bill Lacey, who played for Shelbourne, Liverpool and Everton was in fact a longer-serving international, albeit under different federations. Before partition, he made his first international appearance on February 13, 1909 for the single Irish national team, which was run out out the Irish Football Association in Belfast.
Lacey then fielded for the Republic of Ireland – run by the Football Assocation of Ireland in Dublin – making his ‘debut’ as the oldest player to be capped by Ireland on April 23, 1927. He was 37 years and 211 days old at the time.
The Enniscorthy, Co Wexford native was 40 years and 225 days when he won his third, and last, cap for the Republic of Ireland  in a 3-1 victory over Belgium in Brussels on May 11, 1930.
From his first appearance for Ireland till his last with the Republic of Ireland, his tenure was 21 years and 69 days.
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