Picking an All-Irish Premier League Starting XI for St Patrick's Day

Happy St Patrick's Day, 90min readers!

Ireland's plethora of talent have graced the Premier League and made a lasting impact on the game and although you are likely to have a non-stop day full of action and Guinness no doubt awaiting you, your afternoon will be richer in considering who the best members of Ireland's elite are currently plying their trade in the Premier League. 

Here is the best starting eleven of Irish players currently in the Premier League...

11. GK: Rob Elliot

Move aside Shay 'the King of Another Season' Given, it is time for Rob Elliot to take the mantle of Ireland's most experienced keeper currently in the Premier League. 

Whilst Elliot will have hoped to have earned his place in this starting eleven following a consistent and impressive run with Newcastle, the reality is Irish keepers currently in the English top flight are far and few between.

The 31-year-old has featured just 16 times for the Magpies across all competitions this season as he has taken a backseat to both Karl Darlow and Martin Dubravka in the second half of the season. 

10. DF: Séamus Coleman

No one epitomises and embodies the passion of being Irish as much as Everton's Séamus Coleman, the 29-year-old has put his body on the line for his country more times than one can count and is the greatest stalwart for Ireland in the Premier League. 

Coleman has not looked out of place since his return from a horrific leg break suffered on international duty last year and has duly been rewarded with his fist call up to Martin O'Neill's side since the injury. 

The Irish skipper will no doubt add to his impressive 43 caps in the years to come. 

9. DF: Shane Duffy

The centre-back is having an impressive season with Brighton in the club's debut season in the Premier League as his contribution to the side has proved paramount in edging the Seagulls ever closer to another season in the top flight - having missed just one league game. 

Ireland will no doubt still be thanking their lucky stars that Duffy switched his allegiance from Northern Ireland despite representing them all throughout his younger years. 

8. DF: Ciaran Clark

Clark, like his defensive partner, switched allegiances in his younger years after turning his back on England to represent the country of his parents' birth and the 28-year-old's versatility across defence makes him a perfect member of this starting eleven.

The defender was a key player in Newcastle's Championship winning side last season and with 29 caps to his name and 22 appearances for the Magpies this season, the 28-year-old is an experienced figure who is still showing signs of improvement.  

7. DF: Stephen Ward

There is no doubting Stephen Ward is one of the main reasons for Burnley's impressive season to date as although the 32-year-old has featured just 20 times for the club in the Premier League this term 11 of his appearances have resulted in a win and just four in a defeat. 

Ward is one member of Burnley's Irish contingent and he is arguably their most impressive. 

6. MF: Harry Arter

Bournemouth's Harry Arter posses leadership skills in abundance and his hard working and diligent nature make him the perfect man to offer defensive stability within this Irish eleven.

The 28-year-old has 11 caps for his country after representing Ireland throughout the age levels and although he has fallen on hard times for the Cherries this season - having made just 16 appearances - interest from the likes of West Ham prove Arter still has a lot to offer the Premier League. 

5. MF: James McCarthy

Despite suffering a season ending double leg break James McCarthy is one of the leading lights in Ireland's squad, much like his Everton teammate Coleman. 

McCarthy had the option of playing for Scotland but since making his decision to play for the Republic of Ireland the 27-year-old has already amassed 41 caps since making his senior debut as a 20-year-old. 

With experience beyond his years, McCarthy is a valuable player for both club and country and both are to suffer following his horrific injury earlier this year. 

4. MF: Jeff Hendrick

Since switching Derby for Burnley in the summer of 2016 Jeff Hendrick has gone from strength to strength and all but cemented his position in Sean Dyche's side each matchday - having missed just three league games this term. 

The 26-year-old is one of the youngest members of Ireland's Premier League contingent and with 37 caps to his name he is already one of the most experienced. Despite struggling on the Euro 2016 stage, Hendrick is entering the prime years of his career and reaching a consistent level of performance that has been crucial to the Clarets' success so far this season. 

3. FW: Shane Long

The striker's recent form may be reflecting Southampton's drab and lacklustre campaign but the 31-year-old always seems to muster his best in an Ireland shirt despite opinions that he has yet to reach his full potential, for either club or country. 

Long's pace, stamina and lethal shot on goal make him an invaluable asset in a period where Ireland are awaiting a new batch of stars to make their mark in the opposition box. 

2. FW: Jonathan Walters

Would this even be an Irish eleven without Jonathan Walters?

The 34-year-old may have fallen on tough times since moving to Burnley but there is no denying that anytime this man is on the pitch that he will give you every last ounce of energy. 

With a remarkable record of 51 caps and 14 goals, Walters is a reliable figure and a presence Ireland need in the dressing room. 

1. FW: James McClean

As a loud and proud Irishman, James McClean certainly could not be overlooked for this one. 

McClean experienced a coming of age for Ireland in their World Cup qualifying campaign and despite falling short the 28-year-old stood up when the pressure mounted and ended up scoring more goals for his country than for West Brom in 2017. 

Despite his vast experience and ability to play in a number of position across the park, McClean has started just eight league games this season and has ultimately been unable to halt the Baggies' dramatic drop to the bottom of the Premier League table.