DENIS Irwin is one of the most successful Irish footballers of all time.
From winning numerous league titles to representing Ireland at the World Cup – here’s what we know about his incredible career.
Denis Irwin is Ireland’s most successful footballer
Who is former Man Utd defender Denis Irwin?
Joseph Denis Irwin is an Irish former professional footballer and sports TV presenter.
He was born on October 31, 1965, and raised in County Cork.
He attended Togher Boys’ National School and Coláiste Chríost Rí.
During his time at school he excelled in Gaelic football and hurling, playing at Croke Park more than once.
The full-back played for Manchester United for an incredible 12 years.
He signed for them in 1990 and made 368 appearances for the Lancashire club.
During his time at Manchester United he made 296 Premier League appearances, won seven Premier League title medals, two FA Cup winner’s medals, a League Cup winner’s medal and Uefa Champions League and European Cup Winners’ Cup honours.
He played his last game for the Old Trafford outfit at the end of the 2002 season, and was given the captain’s armband by manager Alex Ferguson.
As for his international career, Irwin debuted for the Republic of Ireland on October 17, 1990, at the beginning of their Uefa Euro 1992 qualifying campaign.
He scored his first international goal in a friendly against the United States on April 29, 1992.
Irwin played his final international game on November 17, 1999, at the age of 34, when Ireland lost to Turkey at the Euros in 2000.
He also played during the 1994 World Cup, where Ireland defeated Italy in their first game, but were knocked out by the Netherlands in the round of 16.
He was capped by the Republic of Ireland national side 56 times and is the joint most successful Irish footballer in history.
He shares this record with Roy Keane having won 19 trophies in his career.
Despite retiring, Irwin pulled on his boots in September 2022 to play alongside Keane in a charity match.
What other clubs did Denis Irwin play for?
Irwin’s career began at Leeds United in 1983 and made 72 appearances in the Second Division (which was then the second tier).
He moved to Oldham Athletic for a free transfer in 1986, and turned out for them 167 times.
Denis helped Oldham reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the final of the League Cup in 1990 before he transferred to Manchester United.
After his successful time at the club, Irwin transferred to Wolverhampton Wanderers on a free transfer in 2002.
Wolves were relegated at the end of the 2003-04 and Denis announced his retirement.
Where is Denis Irwin now?
Since 2004, Irwin has been a presenter for MUTV.
He has also been involved in the coverage for several football tournaments on RTE.
Irwin is a columnist for Ireland’s Sunday World Newspaper.
He also contributed to RTE Sport’s coverage of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
What is Denis Irwin’s net worth?
Irwin’s net worth is estimated to be $5million (£4million).
This will have been accumulated throughout his career as a footballer and presenter.
In December 2022 he hosted An Evening With Denis Irwin to raise funds for his schoolboy club – Togher’s Everton AFC.