Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given announced his retirement from football on this morning's 'Now That’s What I Call Sport' on 98FM.
The Donegal man was capped 138 times by his country and played at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan and European Championships in 2012. He was also a member of Euro 2016 squad but did not play a game. We look back at some of the outstanding moments from Given's amazing career.
Given makes his debut against Russia 27th March 1996: Given made his international debut as a 19-year-old against Russia in Lansdowne Road. It was Mick McCarthy's first game in charge as manager of the national side.
Ireland vs. Netherland 2002 WCQ game: The former Blackburn keeper was involved in some key moments against the Dutch in Lansdowne road. A ten man Ireland went on to beat, and eliminate Louis Van Gaal's side from the World Cup qualification. Ireland would ultimately qualify for the tournament in a playoff game against Iran.
2002 World Cup qualification: The former Newcastle man was instrumental in helping his country qualify for the finals in South Korea and Japan. Ireland lost 1-0 in Tehran but advanced 2-1 on aggregate. Given produced a number of crucial saves in the game to keep his team ahead of Iranians to advance to the 2002 World Cup.
2006 World cup qualifying campaign game against France in Lansdowne Road: Given produced a sensational save from a Zinedine Zidane free-kick. Zizou whipped the ball over the Irish wall as it looked to be heading towards the top corner. Given leaped like a fresh water salmon and somehow managed to claw the ball away to safety.
Arsenal vs. Newcastle 2005: Given made numerous world class saves as Newcastle earned a 1-1 draw at Highbury in the 2006/7 season. The Irish man put in a man of the match performance, denying Thierry Henry on several occasions.
You can listen to the full interview with Shay Given on this morning's '98FM’s 'Now That’s What I Call Sport.'
