With Jake O’Brien’s recent move to Everton, we take a look at some of the boys in green who have donned the famous blue jersey and graced Goodison Park.
1. Seamus Coleman
Hailing from Killybegs, Coleman started his career at Sligo Rovers before moving to England to sign for Everton in 2009 (the £60,000 transfer fee must surely represent one of the best value transfers in the history of the English Premier League). He has amassed over 400 appearances for the Toffees over a 15-year spell at the club with 72 caps and counting for Ireland. Coleman has captained both his club and international side and he has shown leadership qualities in abundance. He even overcame personal adversity after a horror leg break in a World Cup Qualifier against Wales in 2017. Quick, skilful, and hardworking, Coleman has rightly earned respect as one of Irelands finest ever defenders.
2. Kevin Sheedy
With a wand of a left foot, Kevin Sheedy spent ten years at Everton, playing 357 games and scoring 97 goals. During his spell with the blues, he won two League Championships. In both League title wins (in 1985 and 1987) Sheedy featured in the PFA Team of the Year. He also won the 1985 Cup Winners Cup (scoring in a 3-1 win over Rapid Vienna). Although born in Wales, Sheedy held Irish citizenship from birth and chose to play for Ireland (his Father was from County Clare). Sheedy played 46 times for Ireland, scoring nine goals (including a famous strike against England in the 1990 World Cup in Italy – a first ever Ireland goal in a World Cup Finals). In the subsequent 5-4 shootout success against Romania in the second round, Sheedy scored the first of Ireland’s penalties.
3. Peter Farrell
From Dalkey, County Dublin, Farrell joined Everton in 1946. In eleven seasons with the club, he played over 453 games for Everton and scored 17 goals. He was appointed Everton captain in the 1953-1954 season, leading them to runners-up place in the Second Division, gaining promotion to the First Division. Farrell played 28 times for Ireland before injury forced him into retirement. He also scored a goal in Ireland’s 2-0 win over England at Goodison Park in 1949 – the first time that England were defeated on home soil.
4. Mick Meagan
Between 1952 and 1964, Mick Meagan played 165 times for Everton, scoring one goal. Often deployed at left-back, despite being right footed, the Dublin born defender rose from dark days in the Second Division, to lifting the Division One Championship in 1963. Playing 17 times for Ireland, Meagan was appointed Ireland’s first Manager in 1969 (as before then the team was chosen by a panel of selectors) a role that he served in until 1971.
5. Lee Carsley
Carsley made 198 appearances over six years for the Blues and earned 40 caps for Ireland. He became a regular in the Everton team, holding his own position in front of the back-four. Beginning his coaching career in 2011, Carsley had caretaker spells in charge of Coventry, Brentford, and Birmingham, before he became England under 20’s coach in 2020. He was elevated to the England under 21’s job within a year and he led them to triumph in the European Championships in 2023. Previously linked with the Ireland job, Carsley is currently a candidate to become the next England Manager.
6. Kevin Kilbane
Signed on the last day of the transfer window at the start of the 2003-2004 season, Kilbane moved to Everton for just under £1 million. “Zinedine” as he is affectionately known spent three years at Everton making over 100 appearances and netting four times. One of the most versatile players in the Premier League, Kilbane could play in either midfield or defence. Playing for the Boys in Green, Kilbane made 110 appearances, scoring 8 goals. During his international career, Kilbane clocked up 66 consecutive appearances, underlining his commitment and passion for representing Ireland. And for this he is adored by Ireland fans.
So, do you have any other suggestions? Let us know!