33·Legends

David O'Leary vs Tony Dunne

Ireland against Ireland. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.

DO

David O'Leary

Ireland · 1975–1995 · CB

Almanac rating
87
Rank in Ireland
#9 of 33
Caps
68 · 1 goals
Clubs
Arsenal, Leeds United

Packie Bonner's save from Daniel Timofte in Genoa on 25 June 1990 left one penalty to take, and O'Leary, a centre-half, walked up from the halfway line to score it and put Ireland in a World Cup quarter-final. He holds Arsenal's appearance record at 722 games and won two league titles there, in 1989 and 1991, with the FA Cup in 1979 and 1993 and the League Cup in 1987 and 1993. Career record: 68 caps and 1 goals for Ireland; club career at Arsenal, Leeds United.

vs
TD

Tony Dunne

Ireland · 1958–1979 · LB

Almanac rating
88
Rank in Ireland
#7 of 33
Caps
33 · 0 goals
Clubs
Shelbourne, Manchester United, Bolton Wanderers

Only Bobby Charlton and Bill Foulkes had played more games for Manchester United when he left in 1973, and on the night Benfica were beaten 4-1 at Wembley in 1968 he was there at left-back, quick, quiet, immaculate. The European Cup crowns honours that also hold the 1963 FA Cup and the league championships of 1965 and 1967. Career record: 33 caps and 0 goals for Ireland; club career at Shelbourne, Manchester United, Bolton Wanderers.

The verdict

The almanac puts Tony Dunne ahead by 1 rating point, 88 against 87.

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