Fans have witnessed some brilliant teams over the years, but who are the best Irish soccer teams of all time? We’ve seen the likes of Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk enjoy success at home and in Europe. Plus, Linfield is one of the most dominant sides of world football. Meanwhile, in the Republic of Ireland, teams have passionate fan bases who’ve turned the Irish Premier Division into the ‘best league in the world.’
Some classic Irish clubs like Kilkenny City and Limerick no longer exist. However, the future is bright for others on the Emerald Isle. Let’s look at some of Ireland’s best soccer teams. We’re looking at their history, success, and significance to Irish football. Who did we leave out?
15. Athlone Town
It’s been a rough few years for Athlone Town in the League of Ireland First Division. But make no mistake, the Midlanders have a grand history. Formed in 1887, they’re the League of Ireland’s oldest club but not their oldest continuous member. Over the years, they’ve given their fans incredible moments. Their 1975-76 European run remains the stuff of legend. First, they beat Vålerenga 4-2 over two legs in the UEFA Cup. Then they held the mighty AC Milan to a draw at St. Mel’s Park. Unfortunately, they lost 3-0 in the away fixture at the San Siro.
They’ve won two League of Irelands in the early 1980s and have one FAI Cup. Unfortunately, they also suffered the worst loss ever in the latter competition when they went down 11-0 against Dundalk. The past decade has been tough for Athlone because they’ve spent most of it in the second tier. However, they maintain a strong fanbase with many youth sides and an excellent women’s team that won the Premier Division in 2024. They are the 15th best Irish soccer team and expect it won’t be too long before they are back competing at the top.
14. Galway United
Irish President Michael D. Higgins is arguably Galway’s most famous supporter. Another of Ireland’s greatest clubs, the Tribesmen has a rich history. They began life as Galway Rovers in 1937, before changing their name in the eighties. Galway plays home games at Eamonn Deacy Park and wears distinctive maroon jerseys. The club has won many honours over the years. They claimed their only FAI Cup in 1991. Meanwhile, they are two-time League Cup Winners and won the First Division in 1992-93 and 2022-23.
Many stalwarts of Irish football came through Galway’s doors. Former Millwall legend David Forde and current international Ryan Manning are two notable names. Galway competed in Europe in the eighties and nineties. They had big games against the likes of Odense and Groningen.
In 2022, the Comer Property Group took over the team with massive ambitions. The team looks competitive and features in some of our weekly soccer predictions. The future appears to be bright for the Connacht side.
13. Drogheda United
Drogheda is a side that has enjoyed glory over the past few years. They’re one-half of one of the nation’s biggest rivalries with Dundalk FC. Unlike their neighbours, they’ve spent more time bouncing between divisions. Paul Doolin was the catalyst behind their change as he forced the club to become professional in 2004. Since then, they’ve enjoyed some of their greatest successes. In 2005, they won the FAI Cup for the first time. Two years later, they became the League of Ireland champions.
Their claret and blue kit is one of the league’s most distinctive. Over the years, many top players came through their ranks. Ian Harte, Garry Kelly, and Tommy Breen are some of the most famous. Declan O’Brien is Drogheda’s all-time top scorer with 88 goals. Drogheda play their games at Weavers Park with a century of history behind them. Arguably, their greatest European result was against HJK Helsinki in 2006 and they remain one of the best Irish soccer teams of all time.
12. Cliftonville
Our first NIFL entry on this list, Cliftonville, is a legendary institution. It’s the oldest football club on the island of Ireland since its foundation in 1879. They play at Solitude in North Belfast and are a central part of the community. Cliftonville has notorious rivalries with the likes of Crusaders and Linfield. They don’t disguise their allegiances with their iconic shamrock badge. Cliftonville are five-time Irish League champions with their most recent league title in 2013-14. They also clinched their ninth Irish Cup title in 2023-24 when they defeated Linfield.
They’ve had many forays in Europe, with big games being played against Celtic and Copenhagen. However, Cliftonville is one of Ireland’s greatest clubs because of what they mean to the fanbase that supports them. They represent a distinct culture in Northern Ireland. Cliftonville is the first semi-professional side on this list, but that doesn’t change their significance. They deserve a spot on our list of the best Irish soccer teams.
11. Waterford FC
It may not seem like it now, but there was a time when Waterford was Ireland’s most dominant team. They had a remarkable dynasty in the 1960s with six league titles between 1965 and 1973. There’s still a generation of fans who remember those amazing days when the Blues were at their peak. They’ve also won a couple of FAI Cups and four First Division titles, the most recent being in 2017.
Some outstanding players have starred for Waterford over the years. Damien Delaney, Terry Conroy, and Shay Brennan are amongst many notable names. Waterford’s main rivalry is with fellow Munster side Cork City. There’s a reason they call themselves the ‘Only Team in Munster.’ Waterford’s fans hope the former giants will reemerge as a League of Ireland powerhouse.
10. Cork City
One of Ireland’s first fully professional clubs, Cork City, is a bastion in the south. They play at Turners Cross Stadium and have a diehard fanbase. Several of Ireland’s best-ever strikers came through Cork City’s ranks. Kevin Doyle, Shane Long, and Chiedozie Ogbene are some of their highest achievers. But with success with Cork, we can’t look past the legendary Dave Barry. He scored iconic goals against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup and Champions League.
Cork are three-time Premier Division champions with their most recent title in 2017. They went through a tough period at the end of the 2010s as they bounced between divisions. Cork is one of the youngest teams in the League of Ireland. Various sides used the name before, but this version of Cork City was formed in 1984. However, they’ve become one of the nation’s most recognisable sides throughout their four-decade history.
9. Derry City
Derry City is one of the best Irish soccer teams and one of the most unique clubs. They’re the only Northern Irish side to play in the League of Ireland since they joined in 1985-86. However, the Candystripes’ history stretches back to 1928. Since then, they’ve won two Premier Division titles and six FAI Cups. Derry plays their home games at the Brandywell and has one of the island’s most passionate fan bases.
They’ve had many legendary players over the years. Peter Hutton played over 660 times for them in the LOI. James McClean may be their most famous player in recent years. He made 79 appearances for them before joining Sunderland in 2011. Former Ireland manager Stephen Kenny also played a crucial role in their recent history. He famously led them to win over Lyn Oslo and Goteborg. Kenny also helped rebuild the club after relegation following financial irregularities.
8. Crusaders
Another iconic Northern Irish football club, Crusaders, hails from Belfast. They currently play their games at Seaview in front of a diehard fanbase. They have an intense rivalry with Cliftonville that boiled over many times. Focusing on their on-field achievements, the Crusaders are seven-time league winners. They’ve also claimed six Irish Cups throughout their history. Their iconic crusader badge and red and black colours ensure they stand distinct from other Northern Irish teams.
Legendary manager Stephen Baxter led the side for 19 seasons before he stepped aside in 2024. This semi-professional outfit has enjoyed European success in recent years. They defeated the likes of Bruno’s Magpies and Haka while competing valiantly with Rosenborg and Basel. Crusaders also won the cross-border Setanta Sports Cup in 2012, as they beat Derry City on penalties.
7. Sligo Rovers
Sligo has evolved into one of the League of Ireland’s most competitive sides. They’ve spent their entire history at the Showgrounds and enjoyed success over the decades. The ‘Bit O’Red’ are three-time Premier Division winners. They enjoyed a golden era between 2006, under Paul Cook and Ian Baraclough. The managers led Sligo to FAI Cup victories and the league title in their successive reigns. It was an outstanding period for the team, with players like Joseph Ndo and Mark Quigley lighting up the league.
Rovers also famously produced Seamus Coleman, one of the best Irish soccer players of all time. They sold him to Everton for a meagre £60,000 in a deal that became one of the bargains of the century. Sligo also has some of the best fans in the country. They enjoyed entertaining European nights against Motherwell and Bala Town, cementing their position as one of the best Irish soccer teams ever.
6. St. Patrick’s Athletic
The first of the four major Dublin sides, St. Pats, is an institution in Dublin. These Premier Division mainstays have never suffered relegation. Former Ireland manager Stephen Kenny took the reins in 2024 and revived them after a tough period. They have a rich history as one of Ireland’s top soccer clubs. They’re eight-time champions with their most recent title coming in 2013. St. Patrick’s also won five FAI Cups, including the 2023 edition.
Some outstanding Irish soccer players wore their iconic red and white jerseys. Paul McGrath, Kevin Doyle, and Enda Stevens played for the Pats in their careers. Liam Buckley is one of their greatest managers and led them through a successful era in the early 2010s. The legendary Shay Gibbons remains St. Pat’s top goalscorer with 108 goals for the Dublin side. In 2024, they enjoyed a competitive UEFA Conference League campaign and remained European regulars.
5. Dundalk FC
This Louth-based soccer club is historically one of the best Irish soccer teams. They’ve enjoyed unprecedented European success over the years. Famously, they were the first Irish team ever to win an away European Cup game when they beat FC Zurich. Their victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2013 was an Irish team’s first group-stage victory. Stephen Kenny was one of their greatest coaches before he became Irish U-21 manager.
Sadly, Dundalk suffered relegation in 2024 after years of mismanagement. It’s a shame because they were League of Ireland stalwarts. Their 14 league titles make them the competition’s second-most successful club behind Shamrock Rovers. Steve Staunton came through their ranks before he joined Liverpool in 1986.
4. Linfield FC
To say that Linfield is Northern Ireland’s most dominant side is the understatement of the century. The 56-time league winners have enjoyed four unbeaten seasons throughout their history. They’re also the only top-flight club in world soccer to win seven trophies in a single season. The Belfast Giants play at Windsor Park and have enjoyed spectacular success. One of Northern Ireland’s greatest strikers, David Healy, has coached the team for almost a decade.
Linfield has a massive rivalry with Glentoran. They’ve also enjoyed massive European nights with games against Celtic and Zurich in recent years. Unlike other Northern Irish teams, they are fully professional. This is one of the main reasons they’ve enjoyed such dominance over their competition and why they have maintained their position as one of the best Irish soccer teams.
3. Bohemians
The League of Ireland’s oldest continuous member, Bohemians, is one of Dublin’s most iconic clubs. The 11-time champions have also won seven FAI Cups. Their dominance under Pat Fenlon saw them become one of the Premier Division’s strongest-ever sides. They maintain a rich connection with their Northside fanbase. Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers have one of Ireland’s most passionate rivalries.
A supporter-owned side, the Bohs make no secret of their political leanings. They’ve also produced iconic kits over the years, including one Bob Marley-inspired number. This makes them a favourite with hipsters. They’ve attracted many celebrity fans over the years, including Samuel L. Jackson and Christy Dignam. Current Ireland international Evan Ferguson made his debut for Bohemians at the tender age of 14. Now he’s on course to be one of the best Irish strikers. Bohemians aren’t just a great club, they’re one of the coolest in the country.
2. Shelbourne
Shelbourne is one of Ireland’s most successful soccer teams. The 14-time League of Ireland winners play their games at Tolka Park in Drumcondra. Their recent revival under Damien Duff has been one of the most high-profile stories in Irish soccer. They won the 2024 Premier Division in a pulsating title race that went to the wire. Duff helped revive the club and brought fresh interest to the league. It was their first title since 2006.
Shels won three titles in four years in the early 2000s before financial woes struck them. Arguably, the club is most famous for one of Irish football’s greatest European runs. Their fans will never forget them holding Deportivo La Coruna to a 0-0 draw at Lansdowne Road. Shelbourne had massive highs and lows over the years. Their fans hope that another amazing dynasty is around the corner.
1. Shamrock Rovers
Only one team could top our list of the best Irish soccer teams, and it had to be Shamrock Rovers. They’re the most successful club in the history of the Republic of Ireland. The 21-time Premier Division winners have also won 25 FAI Cups. They’ve dominated both competitions and provided more international than any other club. Gavin Bazunu, Johnny Giles, and Jimmy Dunne played for ‘The Hoops.’
Rovers league success gave them increased access to European competitions. Their earnings from continental campaigns helped consolidate their status as Ireland’s dominant team. Their iconic green and white shirts make them very distinctive. Shamrock Rovers play their home games at the Tallaght Stadium and have big rivalries with St. Patrick’s Athletic and Bohs. They’re a winning machine and continue to compete at the top. Some of their top players over the past couple of decades include Jack Byrne, Alan Mannus, and Gary Twigg.
