Shay Given is About to Become a Centurion

October 13th, 2009 | by: Daryl |

Ireland’s reflex-tastic super-keeper Shay Given will reach the magic 100 cap mark tomorrow when he plays against Montenegro. Ireland have second place in Group 8 and a World Cup playoff place sewn up, so there’s not much riding on the game. But it will still be a big moment for the Man City keeper.

Given has been almost impossibly committed to the Irish national team. So much so that Given’s level of commitment somehow managed to annoy Roy “commitment” Keane a couple of years ago.

“I think players have agendas, certain players come over all the time no matter what,” Keane said. “Maybe they want to get 50 or 100 caps and a pat on the back for it. Shay is one of those ones. He wants to get 200 caps.”

Well, as of tomorrow he’ll be halfway there Roy. So here’s a WorldCupBlog “pat on the back” for Shay Given, in the shape of two YouTube videos:

First, a brilliant save from a Zinedine Zidane free kick back in 2006:

Second, a “Thank You” video from a Newcastle fan made after Given left:

Not sure where Offside and WorldCupBlog readers rank Given, but I’d say he’s up there with the best. Maybe he’s not quite Iker Casillas or Gigi Buffon. But he’s got to be close.

He was more or less single-handedly keeping Newcastle afloat last season (that’s not quite accurate, as he used two hands) and in hindsight their relegation was sealed the second he signed for Manchester City.

He’s 33 now (good age for a goalie) and in a team that could very likely be doing big things in the next few seasons. Given will be integral to that and will likely command a bit more worldwide respect as a result.

So that we don’t overlook his achievement, Kevin “Zinedine” Kilbane will also win his 100th cap vs Montenegro tomorrow. I was going to say there weren’t any good YouTube videos of Kilbane in action, but then I found this one titled: “Kevin Kilbane – World Class” and subtitled “He’s ace and you know it.” Enjoy:

For more on the Irish national team, visit Eugene at Ireland World Cup Blog

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Brad

i luv him.
tapejunior

Ireland’s best player over the last decade
http://hull.theoffside.com MW

I was at Croker on Saturday night for the Italy match and both put in battling performances. Not much Given could do for Italy’s goals, but he made some solid plays, and Kilbane was decent as well. They’re experience will be crucial in the playoffs.
http://juventus.theoffside.com alessio

I think he’s a very good keeper, whether he is up with Buffon or Casillas is up to debate (moreso than Cech, IMO) but he will never be given the consideration given that his club and country are both “minnows.”
Diane

Aww, the shy and retiring Roy Keane once again. He’s not really one to talk on this topic though, is he, having his own views on the appropriate time to leave one’s NT, such as when their captain in a World Cup training camp. But I guess each is entitled to their opinion.

Good for Given, he deserves whatever recognition he gets, whatever number of caps he gets to, he’s fantastic.

p.s. Can we have a post requesting our most offensive Roy Keane quotes? Please? Or does that narrow the field too much?
Diane

(sorry, that would be…”when they ARE their captain in a WC training camp”…)
http://scotland.worldcupblog.org Ian

I’m glad the Newcastle video finally shows him catch a ball about 3 minutes in. Until that point, it looks like all he ever does is swat it. Given’s a great keeper and I hope he’s still got a good number of years for Ireland ahead of him.