33·Legends

Jimmy McIlroy vs Peter McParland

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

JM

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.

vs
PM

Peter McParland

Northern Ireland · 1952–1971 · LM

Almanac rating
87
Rank in Northern Ireland
#10 of 33
Caps
34 · 10 goals
Clubs
Aston Villa, Plymouth Argyle, Atlanta Chiefs
Honours
Hall of Fame

Both Aston Villa goals in the 1957 FA Cup final were his, struck against a Manchester United side reduced by his infamous sixth-minute collision with goalkeeper Ray Wood. A year later he scored five times at the 1958 World Cup to carry Northern Ireland into the quarter-finals, and in 1961 he added the League Cup to that Wembley winner's medal. Career record: 34 caps and 10 goals for Northern Ireland; club career at Aston Villa, Plymouth Argyle, Atlanta Chiefs; 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.

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