Ex-Cork City star George O'Callaghan picks best XIs from his time in League of Ireland

O'Callaghan includes some LOI legends of the 2000s era in his best 11s

George O'Callaghan had three spells at Cork City and was FAI League of Ireland Player of the Year when the Leesiders were crowned champions in 2005.

The Cork native enjoyed a number of spells in England and also featured for Dundalk and Waterford in the domestic game.

O'Callaghan is the latest to feature in Mirror Sport's best XIs series, after Shelbourne legend Tony Sheridan kicked things off two weeks ago.

He gives us his take on the best players he played with and against during his time in Irish football - with some league legends of the 2000s era included.

O'Callaghan's best XI played against

Dan Connor

"Dan and I have never really seen eye-to-eye but I knew he was a very good keeper.

"I would spend the whole game trying to chip him even when giving back the ball after they kicked it out for an injury."

Owen Heary

"To say I hated Owen is an understatement. I have never been in his company so I don't know him - but everyone tells me he is a great guy.

"He was the leader of Shels and both of us just wanted our clubs to win. I'm sure we will meet one day and laugh about those days as I have nothing but respect for him."

Dave Rogers

"Biggest pain in the ass to play against. He would scream at me all game and call me every name you can think of, but I loved our battles.

"It's crazy I ended up being great friends with him playing in Dundalk."

Greg O'Halloran

"Greg and myself are married to two sisters so when he went to Shels we had a problem!

"The first game after two minutes he nailed me in a tackle so I said to him, 'you know I'm going to get you back'.

"After 30 minutes I went in to get Greg but Neale Fenn got him before me and i ended up landing on his leg, which I broke.

"As he is my mother-in-law's favourite, I was not invited for dinner for months! Greg was a very good player and very underestimated by everyone."

John Frost

"John was someone I knew from schoolboy football. He was always a great competitor and had a lovely left foot - just a shame he wasn't from Cork."

Paddy McCourt 

"Paddy was amazing on the ball and would get in any team in Ireland. He was blessed with so much skill."

Keith Fahey

"Keith was as talented as Paddy and when we played against each other it was like a game of chess.

"I knew straight away he was a player and I was so happy he went back to England and showed that talent."

Stephen O'Donnell

"When I came back from Ipswich I played against him at Bohs and he gave me so much grief the whole game. I was thinking, 'who is this guy?', but by the end of the game I knew he was a player.

Wes Hoolahan

"I always knew Wes was a centre-midfielder. When we used to play against him he was stuck out on the left wing, we all knew he was brilliant.

"We had Neal Horgan marking him so I would run over every time and shout, 'he has no pace, show him the line'.

"That is no disrespect to Wes, out of everyone on my list he was the best player I played against but in those days we had to do what was needed."

Declan 'Fabio' O'Brien

"Another guy that I clashed with many times in our day.

"Great player and person but we did not like each other on the pitch. Worked hard, scored goals and won games for Drogs that they shouldn't have won."

Liam Coyle

"I was so happy to play against Liam and I used to model my game on him at the start of my LOI career. He was just a class footballer, which I loved."

O'Callaghan's best XI played with

Mick Devine

"Top quality keeper, never really ever made mistakes and he was an outstanding shot-stopper."

Neal Horgan

"I played with Hoggey with the Cork schoolboys teams, he was a top pro and learned how to adjust quickly in his career. Always reliable and you knew he'd always be there if you needed him."

Declan Daly

"I was lucky I got to play with him near the end of his career because straight away you got to understand what it takes to play for Cork City. His team talks and advice were invaluable."

Dan Murray

"He was one of my favourite City players. He took over as captain at a young age and excelled in the role.

"Great on the ball and in the air, he also scored important goals on the big occasions. I miss our Saturdays and maybe Sundays together. He is exactly what you see - a total gentleman."

Alan Bennett

"He had strength, speed, aerial ability and learnt quickly to have leadership skills. A great servant to the club and that he is still playing shows what a great professional he is."

Liam Kearney

"The Conna Maradona could have played in a number of positions. When we lost him in 2006 it took away the balance of the team.

"I used to love playing with Liam as he is a character and a tough lad on the pitch, which people didn't realise.

"When he was in full-flight he was magic and he is the one I missed the most because he was such a character."

Roy O'Donovan

"Had everything to be a great player and hated losing.

"He came into a team that suited him when he was young and when you look back on games now you realise the impact he had on the team.

"He might think different, but I feel Roy watched me on the pitch and off the pitch with media and teams and took over that when I left."

Joe Gamble

"We were always in competition together to be the best midfielder in Cork, which pushed us both.

"When he was moved into centre-midfield with me from the wing, I think teams knew they would not be able to kick us out of games anymore."

Alan Reynolds

"One the toughest guys I ever came up against, I was so happy to eventually be watching him getting physical with people instead of me!

"But he was a really good footballer which sometimes I feel he did not get credit for."

John O'Flynn

"He was an unbelievable finisher.

"From our first game we just clicked as a partnership - I never enjoyed being on a pitch with someone as much as him.

"In my opinion the best Cork City striker ever."

Kevin Doyle

"When he joined he was playing on the right wing and it took him a few months to settle in - but when he did he was unstoppable.

"Again, a player that had everything and with all his success he is still the lovely lad he was back then."