IT’S St Patrick’s Day, so why not take a look at the Irishmen who have made a difference for Wanderers down the years?

The stipulations are simple – the player must have represented the Republic or Northern Ireland AND played at least one first team game for the Whites, even if it was on loan.

Keith Branagan – The man whose penalty save against Reading nearly 20 years ago changed the course of the modern-day Bolton Wanderers. Fondly remembered by Whites fans as one of the club’s best-ever goalkeepers.

Joey O’Brien – Brought through by Sam Allardyce at the peak of Wanderers’ Premier League pomp, the Irishman started as a midfielder but moved into a right-back role later in his career. Injuries blighted his final couple of seasons at Bolton but he has since bounced back under Allardyce at West Ham.

Andy O’Brien – Reliable centre-back who helped stablise the club after Allardyce’s departure and Sammy Lee’s horrific spell in charge. Instrumental in the young career of Gary Cahill – the likeable defender recently finished a spell in MLS and won 26 caps for Ireland.

Gerry Taggart – Rock solid centre-half who signed for £1.5million in 1995 but could not stop the club slipping out of the Premier League. He stuck around, however, and was a big part of the team that bounced straight back with a record-breaking 98 points and 100 goals under Colin Todd.

Tony Dunne – Dubliner who made close to 200 appearances for Wanderers, helping Ian Greaves’s side win promotion from the old Second Division, this after more than 500 games for Manchester United.

John Sheridan – Another hard-as-nails midfielder, but one with a classy touch, Sheridan earned 34 caps for Ireland. His time at Wanderers lasted about 18 months but included a short spell in the Premier League and a promotion.

Keith Andrews – Well-travelled midfielder who was voted Ireland’s player of the year on his arrival at Wanderers in 2013. Became a regular starter in the Championship for both Owen Coyle and Dougie Freedman but fell out of favour and has spent the last two-and-a-half seasons on loan at Brighton, Watford and MK Dons.

Jason McAteer – Famously signed by Phil Neal for pittance from non league Marine, McAteer went on to help Wanderers to two promotions under Bruce Rioch before leaving for Liverpool in a lucrative £4.5million deal in 1995.

Gareth Farrelly – Much-maligned in spells of his Wanderers career but highly rated among the club’s staff for his tireless running, the Irish midfielder helped Sam Allardyce’s side back into the top flight in 2001.

Jon Walters – Has undoubtedly had more success elsewhere than at Wanderers but before finding his feet with Ipswich and Stoke City, Walters played four times for Wanderers after signing from local rivals Blackburn Rovers for just £50,000. Six years after leaving Bolton he scored twice against them in the FA Cup semi-final for Stoke.

Owen Coyle – Capped once by the Republic, Coyle’s goals were an important ingredient in Rioch’s 1995 promotion-winning side. Later went on to manage the Whites but will more fondly be remembered for goal against Reading in the play-off final at Wembley.

Subs: Jim McDonough, Paddy McCarthy, Gerry McIlhinney Charlie Hurley, Alan Kernaghan, Conor Wilkinson, Wayne Buchanan, Billy McAdams, Joe Mason.