The Republic of Ireland national team has a long and proud history, and many players have served their country with distinction in the international game.
However, which players are the Republic’s record appearance holders in the international game?
Robbie Keane (146 caps from 1998–2016)
The forward enjoyed an 18-year international career with the Boys in Green, having made his international debut in 1998.
Not only is Keane’s Ireland top appearances maker, but also his country’s top goalscorer, finding the net 68 times in a green shirt.
The highlight of Keane’s international career was the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. His three goals in four games helped his team to the last 16 before suffering a penalty shootout heartbreak against Spain.
Shay Given (134 caps from 1996-2016)
The former Newcastle stalwart made 134 international appearances in a Republic of Ireland career that spanned two decades.

sportsphotographer.eu / BigStock.com
Like Robbie Keane, Given was part of the Ireland squad that played at the 2002 World Cup. However, due to the lack of qualification for major tournaments, he had to wait until 2012 in Poland and Ukraine for his next appearance in an international tournament.
Given was also part of the Euro2016 squad before retiring from international football.
John O’Shea (118 caps from 2001–2018)
The former Manchester United defender served his country well, making 118 appearances for Ireland between 2001 and 2018. He also scored three international goals, one of which saw Ireland secure a 1-1 draw with Germany, contributing to qualification for Euro2016.

David Ribeiro / BigStock.com
Like fellow former teammates Keane and Given, O’Shea made appearances at major international tournaments, including the 2002 World Cup and the European Championships in 2012 and 2016.
At club level, O’Shea enjoyed a trophy-laden career with Manchester United, with the highlights being winning the Premier League on five occasions and the Champions League once.
Kevin Kilbane (110 caps from 1997-2011)
Although born in Preston, England, Kevin ‘Killa’ Kilbane won an impressive 110 caps for the Republic in an international career that lasted 14 years, from 1997 until 2011. During his career with the Boys in Green, Kilbane scored eight goals.

David Ribeiro / BigStock.com
The only international tournament in which the full-back/winger played for the Republic was the World Cup 2002 in Japan and South Korea. In 2004, Kilbane was also awarded the FAI Senior International Player of the Year.
Kilbane featured in the Premier League for over a decade at club level for Sunderland, Everton, Wigan Athletic and Hull City.
James McClean (103 caps from 2012–2023)
The much-travelled and often controversial winger was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, and played for the country’s under-21 team. However, he opted to represent the Republic when it came to senior football.
McClean enjoyed an 11-year international career from 2012 until 2023, scoring 11 goals in his 103 appearances. The winger featured at the European Championships in 2012 and 2016. One of his international goals came in a 7-0 hammering of Gibraltar in qualifying for Euro2016.
He also scored three goals in the Republic’s unsuccessful 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Steve Staunton (102 caps from 1988–2002)
The former Liverpool and Aston Villa star made 102 appearances for the Republic of Ireland, scoring three eight times in a green shirt.
Staunton was one of the players who made history in 1990 when the Republic qualified for the World Cup for the first time. Jack Charlton’s team made it to the quarter-finals, only to suffer defeat against host nation Italy.
Ireland and Staunton were back at the World Cup four years later in the USA. However, they didn’t fare as well this time and exited the group stage competition.
Staunton appeared in his third World Cup in 2002, as he captained the team in the tournament held jointly in Japan and South Korea.
The defender made history in that tournament, becoming the first Irish player to win 100 caps. He retired from international football in 2002, having made 13 World Cup appearances, a record for Irish players.
In January 2006, Staunton was appointed head coach of the Republic of Ireland. His tenure lasted until October 2007. In truth, his managerial career at international level was highly underwhelming, as his team won just six of his 17 games in charge.
Damien Duff (100 caps from 1998–2012)
The diminutive winger made 100 international appearances for the Republic, finding the net eight times.
Duff played in every game of the 2002 World Cup for his national team that made it to the knockout stages of the competition. He also captained Ireland at Euro2012, where he played his final international game against Italy.

David Ribeiro / BigStock.com
The winger finished his club-playing career in Ireland with Shamrock Rovers. He also later returned to manage in the League of Ireland Premier Division with Shelbourne.
Aiden McGeady (93 caps from 2004–2017)
The mercurial winger enjoyed an international career from 2004 until 2017. During his time with the national team, the former Celtic star scored five international goals.

sportsphotographer.eu / BigStock.com
McGeady scored his first international goal in a Euro2012 qualifying 2-1 victory over Macedonia. The goal helped the Republic book their place in the 2012 finals, but they were eliminated after losing all three group games.
Ireland and McGeady returned four years later, this time making it to the last 16 of Euro2016 in France. However, all three of the winger’s appearances in the competition came from the substitute’s bench.
Niall Quinn (91 caps from 1986–2002)
The imposing forward made 91 appearances for the Republic from 1986 until 2002, scoring 21 goals in his international career.
Quinn was part of the Republic of Ireland squad for World Cups 1990 and 2002, as well as the European Championships in 1988. However, he missed USA ’94 due to injury.
He scored some vital goals, including one in a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands at World Cup 1990 that helped his team seal a place in the knockout stages of the competition.
He also scored in qualifying for the 2002 World Cup against Cyprus on his 35th birthday to become the Republic’s all-time leading goalscoring, replacing Frank Stapleton.
Quinn was his country’s record goalscorer when he retired from international duty after the World Cup. However, Robbie Keane took his record in 2004.
Glenn Whelan (91 caps from 2008–2019)
Born in the country’s capital, the midfielder played for the Republic of Ireland from 2008 until 2019, scoring twice on the international stage.
Whelan played every game in qualifying for Euro2012, as his team sealed a place in the finals in Poland and Ukraine by recording a 5-1 aggregate victory over Estonia in the play-offs.

sportsphotographer.eu / BigStock.com
The midfielder also represented the Republic at Euro2016, helping his team through the group stage and into the last 16 of the competition.
Who is your favourite Republic of Ireland player from our list?