Shay Given retires from Republic of Ireland duty

Last updated on .From the section Euro 2012comments110

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given has announced his retirement from international football.

Given, 36, is the highest-capped player in Republic history having played 125 times for his country.

The Aston Villa man said that his decision to quit international football had been "extremely difficult".

"I have dedicated 16 years of my life to my country and I have a great affinity with Giovanni Trapattoni's squad," he added.

"I'd like to thank Giovanni, Marco (Tardelli) and Alan Kelly for their support during my time with the team.

"I will continue to be Ireland's biggest fan and wish the lads well as they embark upon their new campaign."

Given made his international debut aged 19 in the 2-0 friendly defeat to Russia, and quickly established himself as the long-term replacement for Paddy Bonner.

After continuing to excel for club and country, he played every minute at the World Cup in 2002 but was unable to stop Ireland going out in the second round on penalties to Spain.

It would be another decade before he played tournament football again, with the end of the wait proving bittersweet as both he and his nation endured a difficult time at Euro 2012 as Ireland exited at the group stage after they lost all three games and conceded nine goals.

While he did confirm his international retirement, a Football Association of Ireland statement added that Given had indicated that he would be prepared to "make himself available" in any emergencies in the future.

The FAI statement added the Trapattoni had spoken "at length" with Given on Monday afternoon before the retirement was confirmed.

Trapattoni praised Given for his "outstanding contributions to Ireland during his 16-year international career".

"I understand the difficult decision that Shay had to make and appreciate all of his efforts during his international career," said the Republic manager.

"He is a strong player with a great character and his love of playing for his country always shone through.

"It has been a pleasure to work with him during my time with the team. I wish him the very best in his future."

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110 comments

  • Shay has Given up.

  • Lesser keepers have won more honors. The cruelty of being loyal.

  • @russ i think you are on the wrong website you must have been looking for www.dailymail.com.

    good on ya shay. tough act to follow.

  • On his day, one of the best keepers I've seen in the last 2 decades. One of those players whose number of mistakes you can count on one hand. Top keeper, model professional.

  • @40
    What are you going on about?

    We all enjoyed the Olympics. I was happy we did well.

    A lot of us like football. Shay Given was a top keeper and deserves some credit.

    Now do one. I am SICK to death of the idiots wh have watched a bit of rowing and feel the need to try and discredit the world's most popular sport.

    And it always will be.

    Well done Shay btw.

  • Ah man that is a real shame. I am a Liverpool fan but always hoped he might come to us, my friends who support all different teams feel the same, one of those guys everyone just likes, even if he plays for tge opposition. Best of luck for the rest of your playing career Mr Given, you are top class

  • What a magnificent servant, a wonderful player. I truly think he could and should have been a gk with a top 4 team. Roy Keane was perhaps right, Shay did "love a cap" but that is no bad thing. I fear Westwood andForde won't get regular 1st eam outings at club level, Darren Randollph at Motherwell looks a better bet for Trap.

  • @Russ, you clearly have some unresolved daddy issues...

  • Met him in temple bar after the Dutch play off match. No airs and no graces. A man of the people and a true gent. Thanks Shay.

  • A legend.

    Kept Ireland in so many games over the years. Pure class.

    If Wenger had signed him for Arsenal ten years ago they might have a few extra trophies.

  • I'm sure it's been mentioned before, but Given's performance for Newcastle against Man City was the stuff of legend. They lost 5-1 but without Shay it would have been double figures, he was United's man of the match by a long way and was probably the only thing preventing relegation even earlier than it was confirmed that year.

  • 84 lol @ vampirical I'm nicking that one!

    As a villa fan I'm glad we have a keeper like shay... He's a quality player and played a huge part in us avoiding relegation by the skin of our teeth...

    He sounds pretty Irish when you hear him in interviews so can't argue with that really...

  • I guess that russ guy who's getting all the minus for his comments doesn't want to see stories about the champions league, messi, usain bolt, etc, etc, etc. Never mind the fact that given plays for a UK team and villa fans will want to know he's retired coz it affects their team! One of the most iditotic comments i've seen, well, anywhere.

  • It's a shame he only has two FA Cup runner up medals to show (and yes he got a winners with City, but can we count that?).

    By far one of the best PL keepers.

  • Surely someone has to do a "50 Saves of Shay" compilation....?
    What an absolute LEGEND!

  • @69 my Wiggins point was just a piece of banter in response to a comment about most Irish players being English/Scotttish. I totally agree with what you say. Furthermore, nine players born in Ireland played against Spain. McGeady and St Ledger chose Ireland through their family heritage.

  • Alot of comments about Given on crosses. I always thought he was a brilliant all round keeper, excellent with crosses. It will be along time until we find a keeper with his calibre.

  • #88 Simon Cox? Its a bit of an old argument I agree and I wish FIFA would stop all of it and only allow players to play for the nation of their birth or their parents birth but you may as well get things correct if you are going to post.

  • an absolute disgrace to refuse to play for your country, A DISGRACE!
    (at least, that's what they said about Micah Richards & Michael Carrick)

  • Without doubt a great keeper, one of the premier leagues finest on his day, will always remember his performances for Newcastle against Liverpool in 2009 and Arsenal and in particular Henry at Highbury in 2006. True model professional who kids and other professional could learn a thing or two from. Ireland Legend

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