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Happy birthday, Steve Staunton! Here are 9 reasons we still love Stan

Okay, so the management thing didn’t work out but he’s still an Irish football legend.

IRISH FOOTBALL LEGEND Steve Staunton turns 44 today. Let’s celebrate. Here’s why we love you, Stan…

1. #BÁN Because there’s no one as Irish as him. After 90 minutes in the unforgiving Orlando sun, all that was left of the ten Aston Villa man was a pool of water and a white cap.

2. #PUNT ‘His upfield diagonal punts to Cas or Quinny. Arrows!’ remembers one colleague on the sports desk, as he wipes a tear from his eye and stares into the middle distance. Simpler times.

3. #LOCAL LAD Because he’s hung onto his Louth accent despite spending a lifetime in English dressing-rooms.

YouTube: ragaman7

4. #DEAD BALL He could hit a set-piece. We all remember him taking and even scoring from corners, but check out this dinked, little free kick against ‘the Soviets’ in 1990.

5. #GOOD IMPRESSION He’s good in Apres Match.

YouTube: ParnellMooney

Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer

6. #YOU TELL ME His period in charge of Ireland was a complete and utter disaster. (But we all enjoyed Liveline the Monday after the Cyprus trip, I guess?) But he brought a new slant to press relations. What are the tactics, Steve?

“Well… Shay Given in goal. Four at the back, four in midfield and two up front.” Sew it into ‘em, Steve!

Peter Byrne/PA Archive/Press Association Images

7. WALK ON After two spells at Anfield, an FA Cup and a First Division title, he’s a club legend at Liverpool.

8. #BOOM! He had a left leg like a traction engine.

YouTube: Counce79

9. #SKIPPER He was genuinely brilliant at the 2002 World Cup. Led the team superbly in the absence of Roy Keane, who had a hamstring injury, I think. Can’t remember. He bowed out with an incredible 102 caps.

What are your memories?

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    Mute Henry Porter
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    Jan 19th 2013, 2:13 PM

    Feel sorry for Staunton. He was a loyal player for Ireland and always gave his best. Probably not suited for management and certainly needed much more experience before being international manager. Being teamed with Robson undermined him and the players never respected him or gave their all for him.

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    Mute Naes Gnik
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    Jan 19th 2013, 2:32 PM

    Forget the management, legend of a player.

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    Mute Gary Cairnduff
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    Jan 19th 2013, 2:31 PM

    Liverpool and Ireland legend, a player I loved when i was growing up, lost a lot of credibility when he took the national team job. #gentleman

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    Mute Eamonn Hourigan
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    Jan 19th 2013, 2:11 PM

    I’m the gaffugh!!!

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    Mute John O'Neill
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    Jan 19th 2013, 2:24 PM

    Those were the days…when we had a football team. We owe him a debt of gratitude for all his heroism in the Irish cause. It is so sad that some decided to make him a figure of fun because he didn’t do so well in management.

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    Mute Brendan Cunningham
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    Jan 19th 2013, 2:40 PM

    Top man.

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    Mute Mark O'Flaherty
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    Jan 19th 2013, 2:13 PM

    He’ll always be a tosser for backing Mick McCarthy in Saipan.

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    Mute John Collins
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    Jan 19th 2013, 2:19 PM

    I’d report ye but I’m too busy….back to the Republic of Roy with ye…

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    Mute Statler Waldorf
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    Jan 19th 2013, 4:35 PM

    So will you, Mark…

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    Mute Statler Waldorf
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    Jan 19th 2013, 4:36 PM

    Aargh I read it wrong. Silly me… I’d better follow Lance’s example and apologise… :)

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    Mute Garrett O' Brien
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    Jan 19th 2013, 4:39 PM

    Mark O’ Flaherty; I agree wholeheartedly. A real lap dog to Mick and a yes man who was right in thinking that his brown nosing would work in his favour. Toeing the line as he did no doubt helped to get him the managerial job. Irish football might be a very different thing nowadays if we had less of those spineless mugs who wouldn’t rock the boat.

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    Mute Mark O'Flaherty
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    Jan 19th 2013, 5:01 PM

    Well said Garrett. Knew the Ole Ole brigade wouldn’t be happy with my comment.

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    Mute Rob Zombie
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    Jan 19th 2013, 2:54 PM

    He also told Bobby Robson to address him as the gaffer.

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    Mute Paddy
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    Jan 19th 2013, 3:54 PM

    Top man indeed. Legend of a player, manager not so much

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    Mute Tom Halpin
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    Jan 19th 2013, 4:06 PM

    Sometimes you forget what a cracking player he was . Awful manager but Irish and Liverpool legend.

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    Mute Terry sheridan
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    Jan 19th 2013, 3:23 PM

    and for all the gift grubs ….

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    Mute Dr.fury
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    Jan 19th 2013, 6:09 PM

    Another Delaney cockup,how on earth he became the Irish gaffer is beyond comprehension,great player though can’t knock him for that

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    Mute james doyle
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    Jan 19th 2013, 4:08 PM

    One of the best left footed players of all time,my first football game was watching stan score against the soviets

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    Mute Jason Naughton
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    Jan 19th 2013, 4:36 PM

    In fairness all Ireland managers end up being condemned by the Irish fans and media alike. Poisoned chalice. Even Jack C and Trap.

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    Mute tmwtbc
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    Jan 19th 2013, 10:53 PM

    Love the man. Total legend. Go on The Town!

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    Mute Michael Cronin
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    Jan 19th 2013, 2:17 PM

    First captain, second captain, pfft, whatever.

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    Mute supercoolcol
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    Jan 19th 2013, 2:25 PM

    Off the ball there….

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    Mute Patrick Cadogan
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    Jan 19th 2013, 9:03 PM

    As an individual….the man is a born Gentleman.

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    Mute Gavin O'Connor
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    Jan 19th 2013, 6:55 PM

    In the Soviet video check out Wolfie the Wolfhounds celebration behind the goal. Magical stuff.

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    Mute Adam Hankin
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    Jan 19th 2013, 3:45 PM

    Darlington never recovered after that fool was put in charge. I hope he’s constipated for the day.

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    Mute billy the fish
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    Jan 19th 2013, 4:09 PM

    Super ending to your post

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    Mute Gerard Behan
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    Jan 19th 2013, 7:07 PM

    #YNWA

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    Mute jonathan kerr
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    Jan 19th 2013, 7:14 PM

    Youl Never Win Again….

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