It’s fair to say that County Armagh has produced some seriously talented footballers over the years who haven’t just made it big in Ireland – but they’ve also managed to make it on the international stage.
From some of the earliest players back in the early 20th century to the most modern footie stars today, there have definitely been some noteworthy names. Here, we’re going to look at some of the very best footballers from County Armagh who’ve made their names in the world of international football.
Paddy Sloan
Going back just a few years, we have Paddy Sloan – born Joshua Walter Sloan in Lurgan on April 30, 1920. This guy was an absolute trailblazer for British and Irish players as he ventured his way into European football.
He began his career with Glenavon before moving over to arguably the biggest team in the world, Manchester United. But that was just the start, and his career took him to major European clubs like AC Milan and Arsenal, making him one of the first players from the British Isles to play over in Italy. It was Sloan who paved the way for future generations to take their footballing careers into the continent.
Neil Lennon
Next, we have Neil Francis Lennon, born on June 25, 1971, in Lurgan, who was renowned for his contributions not just as a player but also as a manager. He had an impressive playing career at clubs like Leicester City and Celtic, where he enjoyed a lot of success.
Internationally, he earned no less than 40 caps playing for Northern Ireland – tenacious and solid as he led the midfield. When he retired as a player, he tried his hand at management – most notably managing Celtic – and leading them to more than one Scottish Premiership title!
Eoin Toal
Then, there’s Eoin Toal, who was born on February 15, 1999, in Armagh and is one of the newer generations of football talent from the county. Right now, if you’re looking to put your football bets on a local Armagh player, you’ll find him playing as a defender for Bolton Wanderers – and we’re sure there’s plenty more to come.
He’s also been involved with Northern Ireland’s underage international squads, and there’s no doubt he’ll do well in the national team in the future.
Thomas Stewart
Thomas Stewart, born on November 12, 1986, in Craigavon, has had a very varied playing career, and he’s played in a number of different countries. He’s played for clubs in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and even over in the United States, including Sacramento Republic FC and Ottawa Fury FC. Because he’s so versatile as a forward, he’s always a very valuable asset, no matter who he’s playing for.
Stephen McMullan
Another more recent player is youngster Stephen Desmond Soraghan McMullan, who was born on December 31, 2004, and is a very promising young goalkeeper who hails from County Armagh.
He began his professional career playing for Warrenpoint Town before going on to sign with Fleetwood Town. However, he’s also represented both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland at underage levels – and we reckon he definitely has the potential to become a huge name in international football.
Keith Rowland
Keith Rowland, who hails from Lurgan, has had a very solid career as a defender. He’s played for big English clubs such as West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers – but that’s not all. On the international stage, he earned 19 caps playing for Northern Ireland between 1993 and 1999 and was always a solid performer in the national team’s defense.
Sammy Stewart
Last, but by no means least, we have Sammy Stewart, who was born in 1991 in Portadown and has played as a midfielder for a number of different clubs in Northern Ireland. Although his international exposure has been somewhat limited, he’s always been a solid and consistent player at the club level, which has made him a hugely popular and respected figure in Northern Irish football.
Armagh is a county of talents – and these are just some worth a mention. There will no doubt be plenty more to add to the list in the not-so-distant future!
