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Seamus (Shay) Given (born April 20, 1976 in Lifford, County Donegal) is an Irish football goalkeeper. He plays for Newcastle United and Ireland, and is regarded as one of the finest and most reliable custodians in the game today.

He was originally on the Celtic youth team before moving to Blackburn Rovers, where he was spotted by Peter Reid, who loaned him for Sunderland. At Sunderland, he showed himself to be a capable player, and soon after leaving Sunderland was poached by their local rivals Newcastle and established himself in the first team immediately, displacing Pavel Srnicek For Ireland, Given has been capped over 70 times and was his country's starter at the 2002 World Cup.

Football History

Shay was playing for the local mens team Lifford Celtic at the age of 14. He was propelled into the limelight when he played in the FAI's Junior Cup for Lifford in the semifinal in Dundalk. Inspite of being on the wrong end of the 1-0 scoreline, Shay had done enough by holding his own between the sticks. Shay was invited to join Celtic on a pre-season tour of Ireland when he was just 15 and then signed terms at 16.

He moved to Scotland before moving down to Blackburn Rovers in 1994 to join Kenny Dalglish. Unable to dislodge England international Tim Flowers from goal at Ewood Park, Shay went on loan to Swindon Town and Sunderland, after playing only two games for Blackburn. At Sunderland he put in a notable performance, keeping 16 clean sheets out of 17 appearances. Even though brought back to Blackburn, Sunderland sent on the "Division One winners medal" to Shay.

Kenny was instrumental then in bringing Shay to the north-east again joining him in the top flight with Newcastle United in 1997 costing 1.5 million. He played in the 1998 FA Cup Final and then missed out on the 1999 FA Cup Final when displaced by Steve Harper, but after sitting out the start of the 1999/2000 season, ended the campaign in possession of the first-team place.

In 2000/01, Shay was once again in magnificent form for club and country and earned most supporters' awards as their Player of the Season.

Shay lost his place briefly to Steve Harper due to injury and handed in a transfer request. The request was more a protest rather than a genuine wish to ever leave the club. The club rejected the request and, as it happened, Steve Harper injured himself in training and Shay was back in goal.

In 2001/02 Shay played in every Premiership match and was named in the PFA Premiership Team of the Season.

He was outstanding in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea/Japan, but could not prevent the Republic of Ireland being shown the door by Spain.

In February 2003, Shay's save to deny Kevin Phillips on 24 February 2003 made the FAPL's 10th Season Awards under the category Save of the Decade.

On 30th April 2003, the keeper became Newcastle's most capped player when he won his 41st cap while at St. James' Park, overtaking Alf McMichael's previous record. He ended 2003 as the holder of the Premiership's record for the most consecutive appearances record, now surrendered to Frank Lampard of Chelsea.

Shay became Newcastle's most experienced European performer in the game against Hapoel Sakhnin on September 16, 2004.

The goal conceded against Wigan Athletic on October 15 2005 meant Shay raised his Premiership shut-out record to 387 minutes. His record for all competitions is 425 minutes (2001).

Clubs

• Blackburn Rovers (1994-1998)
• Swindon Town (1994-1995) (on loan)
• Sunderland (1995) (on loan)
• Newcastle United (1998-)

Statistics

External link

• Official site

• 1976 births
• Blackburn Rovers F.C. players
• English Premiership players
• Football (soccer) goalkeepers
• Newcastle United F.C. players
• Republic of Ireland footballers
• Sunderland A.F.C. players
• Swindon Town F.C. players