AFC Bournemouth
To mark St Patrick’s Day, afcb.co.uk has selected a Republic of Ireland XI of current and former players who have represented the club.
The list includes two goalkeepers – Tommy Godwin and Gerry Peyton – both of whom were capped by the Boys in Green and played key roles during their time with the Cherries.
Matt Holland, who skippered the club during the dark days of receivership, is another ex-player to have won international honours, as is former manager Sean O’Driscoll.
Not all the players on the list were capped by their country with Garreth O’Connor and Shaun Maher, who joined from Bohemians, both having made more than 100 appearances for the club.
One loan player is included as David McGoldrick’s exploits during a brief stay in 2007 proved crucial as the Cherries preserved their League One status.
TOMMY GODWIN
Legendary goalkeeper Tommy Godwin remains AFC Bournemouth’s seventh highest leading appearance-maker.
He played 357 league games between 1952 and 1962 and starred during the club’s run to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in 1956/57 when they toppled Wolves and Spurs.
Capped 13 times by Republic of Ireland, Dubliner Godwin featured in their 2-0 win over England at Goodison Park in 1949 as they became the first non-UK team to beat the Three Lions on home turf.
GERRY PEYTON
Goalkeeper Gerry Peyton was crowned AFC Bournemouth supporters’ player of the year after helping the club to promotion in 1986/87.
Signed by Harry Redknapp from Fulham, Peyton played a starring role as the Cherries claimed the Division Three title with a then-record 97 points.
Peyton, who won 33 caps for the Republic of Ireland and played in the 1990 World Cup finals, was also named in the PFA Division Three team of the season in 1986/87.
IAN HARTE
Skilful left-back Ian Harte was one of Eddie Howe’s first signings following AFC Bournemouth’s promotion to the Championship in 2013.
The Drogheda-born defender, who earned legendary status during an eight-year stay with Leeds, arrived on a free transfer from Reading.
He made 35 appearances and featured as the Cherries won promotion to the Premier League in 2014/15 before retiring to become a players’ agent.
HARRY ARTER
Midfielder Harry Arter played a leading role in AFC Bournemouth’s rapid rise from the depths of League One to the Premier League.
Signed by Eddie Howe for a bargain £4,000 from non-league Woking in 2010, Arter starred in the League One and Championship promotion campaigns of 2013 and 2015.
Capped 13 times by the Boys in Green, he was named supporters’ player of the year as Howe’s team won a place in the top flight for the first time in their history.
MATT HOLLAND
Midfielder Matt Holland captained AFC Bournemouth when the club suffered financial struggles which resulted in it going into receivership in 1997.
He was eventually sold for a then-club record fee of £800,000 to Ipswich Town, the funds going a long way to saving the club from going out of business.
Signed by Mel Machin on a free transfer from West Ham following a successful loan spell, Holland played a key role in the club’s escape from relegation in 1994/95.
EUNAN O’KANE
Signed by Paul Groves from Torquay United in July 2012, midfielder Eunan O’Kane flourished under the management of Eddie Howe at Vitality Stadium.
Capped seven times by Republic of Ireland, O’Kane’s exploits with the Cherries saw him put on standby for their Euro 2016 squad.
He made 118 appearances for the club and helped them to promotion from League One in 2013 before starring in their first season in the Championship.
SEAN O’DRISCOLL
One of AFC Bournemouth’s leading appearance-makers, Sean O’Driscoll has featured prominently in the club’s recent history.
He played 423 league games between 1984 and 1995 and was a key member of Harry Redknapp’s Division Three title-winning squad in 1986/87.
O’Driscoll was appointed manager in 2000 and presided over the club’s League Two play-off final victory against Lincoln City in 2003.
GARRETH O’CONNOR
Gifted midfielder Garreth O’Connor was a key member of Sean O’Driscoll’s 2002/03 League Two promotion-winning squad.
The Dubliner netted during the play-off final victory over Lincoln City which saw the Cherries make an immediate return to League One.
Signed by Mel Machin from Bohemians, O’Connor scored 28 times in 204 appearances for the club and returned on loan in 2007 having joined Burnley.
STEPHEN FOLEY
Midfielder Stephen Foley signed permanently for AFC Bournemouth in January 2006 following a fruitful spell on loan from Aston Villa.
During his time at Villa Park, he featured in Villa’s FA Youth Cup win in 2002 and was crowned FA of Ireland under-16 player of the year.
The Dubliner scored six goals in 61 games for the Cherries before his career was cruelly cut short by a serious back injury which forced him to retire in 2008.
SHAUN MAHER
Central defender Shaun Maher made 128 appearances in all competitions for AFC Bournemouth during a six-year stay between 2001 and 2007.
Signed by Mel Machin from Bohemians along with Garreth O’Connor, Maher played and scored in Champions League qualifiers for the League of Ireland outfit.
Although he suffered his fair share of injuries during his time with the Cherries, the Dubliner was a linchpin of the team which went close to reaching the League One play-offs in 2004/05.
DAVID MCGOLDRICK
Much-travelled frontman David McGoldrick enjoyed a brief but extremely fruitful loan spell with AFC Bournemouth in 2006/07.
Drafted in from Southampton to help ease a crippling injury crisis, McGoldrick arrived with the Cherries stuck in the League One relegation zone.
But his six goals in 12 games helped hoist Kevin Bond’s team out of the bottom four with safety assured in their penultimate game of the season.
