According to Transfermarkt, 11 players aged 40 or over have featured in Northern Ireland’s top-flight during that time period with some absolute legends making the list. Let’s get into it!
NOTE: All age and player data courtesy of Transfermarkt and is relevant only for Premiership.
5. Glenn Ferguson (Lisburn Distillery)
Perhaps the greatest Irish League striker ever, Glenn Ferguson finished his career with Lisburn Distillery in a 4-3 victory over Cliftonville in April 2011 aged 41 years, 9 months and 20 days. He made over 1,000 appearances during spells with Ards, Glenavon, Linfield and Distillery, scoring 563 goals and collected 30 trophies, including six league titles and five Irish Cup crowns. Photo: William Cherry/Presseye
6. Gerard Doherty (Cliftonville)
After winning three league titles with Welsh outfit The New Saints and an FAI Cup for Derry City, former Derby County goalkeeper Doherty arrived in the Irish League with Crusaders in 2018. He signed for Cliftonville in January 2023 and made two Premiership appearances, the last of which was in a 3-0 defeat to Glentoran aged 41 years, 7 months and 21 days. Photo: David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
7. William Murphy (Glenavon)
Another great of Irish League football, William Murphy played his final match of a stellar career for Glenavon against Crusaders in April 2015 aged 41 years, 2 months and 26 days. He won nine Premiership titles during a trophy-laden spell with Linfield. Photo: Stephen Hamilton/Presseye
8. Davy O'Hare (Glenavon)
Goalkeeping legend Davy O'Hare made 790 appearances and kept 178 clean sheets (credit BBC) during spells with Coleraine, Crusaders, Newry Town and Glenavon. His final appearance came for the Lurgan Blues in their 3-1 Premiership win over Donegal Celtic in April 2013 aged 41 years, 1 month and 25 days. Photo: Gareth Irvine / Presseye