Stuart McCloskey, a rugby star at 33, has only 26 Ireland caps! But he's not alone. Here are other overlooked Irish players:
TONY WARD (1978-87, 19 caps): A maverick with explosive off-the-cuff style, Ward was a nightmare to defend. Despite his talent, he was unfairly overlooked, ending with just 19 caps.
MICK GALWEY (1991-2002, 41 caps): Renowned for being the most dropped player in Irish rugby history, Galwey's talent was evident in big matches. His leadership and impact with Munster were acknowledged later.
ALAN QUINLAN (1999-2008, 27 caps): A fast, tough talent, Quinlan's most memorable moment was scoring a try against Argentina in the 2003 World Cup. His lack of caps can be attributed to Simon Easterby.
JACK CONAN (2015-, 57 caps): A late bloomer, Conan's impact since 30 was remarkable. His time was hindered by CJ Stander's presence, but he proved his worth post-2021.
GEORDAN MURPHY (2000-2011, 72 caps): Murphy's attacking brilliance was overshadowed by Girvan Dempsey. Despite his talent, injuries and strategy differences impacted his Ireland career.
JOHN COONEY (2017-, 11 caps): Cooney, a cult hero, was the best No9 in European rugby for four years. His 'face didn't fit' with Ireland, possibly due to squad dynamics.
MATT HEALY (2016, 1 cap): Healy's rapidness and effectiveness for Connacht were overlooked due to his maverick style. His solitary cap came despite his talent, highlighting Ireland's missed opportunity.
