Aaron Hughes vs Jimmy McIlroy
Northern Ireland against Northern Ireland. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Aaron Hughes
Northern Ireland · CB
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in Northern Ireland
- #5 of 33
- Caps
- 112 · 1 goals
- Clubs
- Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Fulham
- Honours
- Hall of Fame
A cornerstone of the Northern Ireland defence for decades, Aaron Hughes was a calm, composed, and always reliable centre-back. Career record: 112 caps and 1 goals for Northern Ireland; club career at Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Fulham; honours include Hall of Fame.
Jimmy McIlroy
Northern Ireland · 1958–62 · RM
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in Northern Ireland
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 55 · 10 goals
- Clubs
- Burnley, Stoke City, Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
- Honours
- Hall of Fame
Burnley did not top the First Division for a single day of 1959-60 until the final afternoon, a 2-1 win at Manchester City on 2 May 1960, and the passing that carried them there belonged to the inside-forward Turf Moor called the Brain of Burnley. That championship, the 1962 FA Cup final lost to Tottenham, 55 Northern Ireland caps and the 1958 World Cup quarter-final run sit beside 497 Burnley games and 131 goals. Career record: 55 caps and 10 goals for Northern Ireland; club career at Burnley, Stoke City, Oldham Athletic A.F.C.; honours include Hall of Fame.
The verdict
The almanac cannot separate them: both are rated 87.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.