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Matty Hewitt

The Leeds United stalwart criminally underrated in fans poll

Football fans have been ranking the best Irish footballers in history and one former Leeds United star is way down the list.

According to ranker, a website where fans get to vote in polls and have their say, former Whites defender Ian Harte has been ranked the 17th best Irish player in history.

The left-back, who was also capable of playing in midfield, made just shy of 300 appearances at Elland Road in a nine year spell with the Whites.

Harte was well known for his ability to score the spectacular and was a free-kick specialist throughout his career.

One of his finest moments in a Whites shirt came during a Champions League quarter final against Deportivo La Coruna.

Harte scored a brilliant free-kick during the first leg, opening the scoring as Leeds ran out 3-0 winners against the Spanish champions.

Former Leeds striker Robbie Keane tops the charts ahead of the likes of Roy Keane, Liam Brady and Shay Given.

Keane signed for the Whites on loan from Inter Milan in 2001, scoring nine times in 18 appearances before making the move a permanent one.

The Republic of Ireland striker wasn't able to recapture his fine form and dropped down the pecking order before being sold as a result of Leeds' financial woes.

Here's how Harte compared with the top 20 Irish footballers:

  1. Robbie Keane
  2. Paul McGrath
  3. Liam Brady
  4. Roy Keane
  5. John Aldridge
  6. Shay Given
  7. Steve Staunton
  8. Ray Houghton
  9. Steve Finnan
  10. Damien Duff
  11. Steve Heighway
  12. Jim Beglin
  13. Jason McAteer
  14. Seamus Coleman
  15. Ronnie Whelan
  16. David Kelly
  17. Ian Harte
  18. Phil Babb
  19. Kenny Cunningham
  20. Stephen Carr

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