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Hall of Fame - Good Old Boys


Northern Ireland have been blessed with some players with outstanding longevity...

The following Players represented (Northern) Ireland beyond their fortieth year.

Player

Date

Age

Absolute Days

 

Born

Last Cap

Years

Days

Elisha Scott

24/08/1893

11/03/1936

42

199

15540

Pat Jennings

12/06/1945

12/06/1986

#

41

0

14975

Jack Henderson

31/07/1844

*

11/04/1885

40

254

14864+

Matt Wilson

31/12/1843

*

23/02/1884

40

54

14664+

Maik Taylor

04/09/1971

11/10/2011

40

37

14647

Bill McCracken

29/01/1883

03/03/1923

40

33

14643

Archie Goodall

19/06/1864

21/03/1904

39

275

14520

Roy Carroll

30/09/1977

02/06/2017

39

245

14490

Billy Gillespie

06/08/1891

20/10/1930

39

75

14320

* Exact date of birth unconfirmed, the recorded date is the latest they could have been born. Wilson is believed to have been considerably older than noted above. 
# Jennings' final cap was gained on his 41st birthday against Brazil at Mexico 86. At the time that made him the oldest player to appear at a World Cup finals, though the record has since been surpassed by Cameroon's Roger Milla. Jennings remains second in the list.
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Ireland's oldest confirmed debutant was Jack Henderson, though Matt Wilson is believed to have been older by "several months".

At 38 years and 283 days, (Northern) Ireland's oldest scorer is believed to be Archie Goodall.

In addition, Patsy Gallagher/Gallacher (40 years, 272 days) and Billy Lacey (40 years, 229 days) played for the Irish Free State beyond their 40th birthdays.

More information may be added to this article as it becomes available.

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