18 Facts About Denis Irwin

1.

Joseph Denis Irwin was born on 31 October 1965 and is an Irish former professional footballer and sports television presenter.

2.

Denis Irwin has been regarded by Alex Ferguson as, pound for pound, his greatest ever signing.

3.

Denis Irwin was capped by the Republic of Ireland national side 56 times, scoring four goals and featuring in the side that reached the second round at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

4.

Denis Irwin is the joint most successful Irish footballer in history, a record he shares with fellow Manchester United stalwart Roy Keane, having won 19 trophies in his career.

5.

Denis Irwin was born and raised in Cork, County Cork and was educated at Togher Boys' National School and Colaiste Chriost Ri.

6.

Denis Irwin began his career with Leeds United in 1983, making 72 appearances in the Second Division, before moving on to Oldham Athletic on a free transfer in 1986.

7.

Denis Irwin was comfortable in either of the full back positions and an expert at free kicks and penalties, and even in his mid thirties he was still United's first choice left-back in preference to the much younger Phil Neville.

8.

Denis Irwin scored a total of 22 league goals for Manchester United, including several penalties.

9.

Denis Irwin went off injured in the 37th minute after a bad challenge by City striker George Weah.

10.

Denis Irwin scored twice in his first season at Wolves, against Burnley and Grimsby.

11.

Denis Irwin played for the Republic of Ireland national under-19 team that qualified for the 1983 UEFA European Under-18 Championship and the 1984 UEFA European Under-18 Championship.

12.

Denis Irwin was capped 56 times for the Republic of Ireland between 1990 and 1999, and scored four goals.

13.

Denis Irwin scored his first international goal on 29 April 1992 in a friendly against the United States at Lansdowne Road.

14.

Denis Irwin played for his country at the 1994 World Cup.

15.

Since 2004, Denis Irwin has worked as a presenter on MUTV.

16.

Denis Irwin has been involved in coverage of several football tournaments on RTE.

17.

Denis Irwin is a columnist with Ireland's Sunday World newspaper.

18.

Denis Irwin contributed to RTE Sport's coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.