Live

Repeat: OTB Breakfast

12:00 AM-02:00 AM

Repeat: OTB Breakfast
Advertisement
Soccer

Where are they now: The Wales side from Irish soccer's Croke Park debut

Ten years ago during the Euro 2008 qualifiers, Wales made history as the first team to face Irela...



Where are they now: The Wales...
Soccer

Where are they now: The Wales side from Irish soccer's Croke Park debut

Ten years ago during the Euro 2008 qualifiers, Wales made history as the first team to face Ireland in an international soccer match at Croke Park.

A decade on and the Welsh return to Dublin for a 2018 World Cup qualifier on Friday, this time at the Aviva Stadium.

March 24th will be exactly 10 years to the day since Ireland won 1-0 against Wales, courtesy of a Stephen Ireland goal.

Recently, Kevin Kilbane recalled that day in his Newstalk column, reminiscing, "I still remember the match itself vividly. The Stephen Ireland winning goal still springs to mind, rounding the goalkeeper and then scoring. It was a great game to be involved in."

Here is the Ireland XI and subs from that day: Given; O'Shea, McShane, Dunne, Finnan; Ireland (Doyle), Carsley, Douglas (Hunt), Kilbane, Duff; Keane (McGeady).

But what became of the members of the Welsh starting team from 2007? Interestingly there are more than a couple of current Wales internationals who remain involved in the team to this day... 

Danny Coyne

The 43 year old won 16 Wales cap from 1996 until 2007 and after retiring at Shrewsbury Town in 2013, went into coaching at the English club. 

He is current goalkeeping coach at the club, having also briefly served in a caretaker manager capacity in 2016.

Steve Evans 

The 38 year old had a short Wales career between 2006 and 2008, winning seven caps. The Wrexham native had still been playing club football until very recently with The New Saints in his home nation.

But he has now began getting on the coaching ladder at the club.

James Collins

The West Ham defender is still part of the Wales setup to this day and was part of the team that made a fairytale run to the Euro 2016 semi finals.

The 33 year old is in Chris Coleman's squad to face Ireland in Dublin.

Lewin Nyatanga

Just 28, the former Derby County and Bristol City player hasn't featured for Wales for six years. Currently he is at Northampton Town on loan from Barnsley. 

Republic of Ireland's John O'Shea and Wales's Ryan Giggs ©INPHO/Tom Honan

Gareth Bale

Back in the days when he was a promising left back rather than the rampaging attacking force that has won Champions League titles with Real Madrid and spearheaded Wales' run to the Euro 2016 semis, the ex-Tottenham winger was still four months from reaching his 18th birthday when he played at Croke Park in 2007.

The 27 year old already had four caps and a goal to his name by then too. 

Sam Ricketts

It's three years since the midfielder featured for Wales, having won 52 caps. Last November, he retired as a player last season at Coventry City due to injury.

Joe Ledley

The 30 year old Crystal Palace midfielder is another one from 2007 still involved in the Wales team to this day and although he had been a doubt due to a pre-tournament injury, participated at Euro 2016. 

Carl Robinson 

The 40 year old also 52 caps and after moving to Major League Soccer from 2007, he is now the manager of Vancouver Whitecaps. 

Steve Finnan of Ireland follows Simon Davies of Wales ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

Simon Davies 

The former Tottenham, Everton and Fulham winger is now 37 and last won a Wales cap in 2010. He now enjoys playing in Welsh football for village team Solva.

Ryan Giggs 

The Manchester United legend never got to play in a major tournament at international level despite immense trophy success for club.

He has been linked with some managerial positions since departing the role of Man United assistant but is more likely to be seen on our screens as a pundit these days. 

Craig Bellamy

Also involved in punditry is the former Wales, Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester City striker. He retired from international duty in 2013 after winning 78 caps and scoring 19 goals for Wales. 

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

Soccer