Given gained his first international cap in 1996 and played in goal during every match for his country during the 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign,[4] helping them reach the knockout stage.

He was later on the pitch in Paris when the Republic of Ireland were knocked out of the play-offs for a spot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup by France before helping his team qualify for UEFA Euro 2012.

[11] His performances for Celtic's youth team did bring him to the attention of Blackburn Rovers manager Kenny Dalglish, and he signed for the English side on a free transfer in the summer of 1994.

[14] The season after Given's arrival saw Blackburn win the Premier League title and Given was unable to oust first-choice goalkeeper and England international Tim Flowers from the team.

[18] Given kept 12 clean sheets during his 17 games for the club,[19] and formed part of the team who won promotion to the Premier League as champions.

[21] However, he stayed at the club throughout the summer transfer window, with manager Ray Harford intended to keep him and told him to challenge Flowers for the first-choice goalkeeper role.

[24] He made his debut for the club on 24 September 1996, coming on as an 86th minute substitute in Blackburn's 2–0 win against Brentford in the second leg of the League Cup second round.

[27] It was later revealed that Given did not sign the contract offered to him and intended to leave at the end of the 1996–97 season due to a lack of first team football.

[29] His performances on loan impressed Kenny Dalglish, who had recently been appointed manager of Newcastle United, and prompted him to sign Given again.

Given made his debut in Newcastle's 2–1 home victory over Sheffield Wednesday on 9 August 1997 and immediately established himself in the first team, beating fellow goalkeepers Pavel Srníček, Shaka Hislop and Steve Harper to the position.

[34][35] Newcastle advanced to the final of the FA Cup, and Given played the whole match as the team were defeated 2–0 by league champions Arsenal.

[37] In November 1997, Given conceded a strange goal against Coventry City when, after collecting a cross, he rolled the ball out in preparation to make a long clearance.

[38][39] Given submitted a written transfer request in December 2000 after failing to regain his place in the first team from Harper after a thigh injury had ruled him out of a match against Leeds United.

[13][67] On 17 September 2006, Given suffered a one-centimetre tear in his bowel after a tackle by West Ham United striker Marlon Harewood.

[68] Manager Glenn Roeder signed ex-Newcastle veteran Pavel Srníček as cover for Steve Harper,[69] and youth goalkeeper Tim Krul played a full match in Newcastle's 1–0 UEFA Cup win at Palermo on 2 November.

[77] Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear had already stated that the club was "not interested at all in selling him",[76] and described the amount on offer for Given as "insulting".

[86] On 5 December 2009, he made an outstanding penalty save from Frank Lampard to deny Chelsea an equalising goal.

[87] The same month, Daily Telegraph football correspondent Henry Winter named Given as "Premier League Goalkeeper of the Noughties".

[104] On 15 April 2014, Given was appointed temporary assistant to Paul Lambert after the club suspended Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa, pending an internal investigation for an undisclosed reason.

[120] After conceding four goals against Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace in September, Given lost his place in the side to Lee Grant.

[122] On 21 April 2018, the day after his 42nd birthday, Given announced his retirement from professional football whilst receiving an award for Donegal Person of the Year in Dublin.

[2] Although he did not become a regular first team player for Blackburn, Given's performances while on loan at Swindon and Sunderland led to him being called up to the Republic of Ireland squad in 1996.

[124][125][126] Due to his lack of playing time at Blackburn Rovers in the 1996–97 season, manager Mick McCarthy dropped him from the squad.

Given obtained his 100th cap against Montenegro at Croke Park, Dublin on 14 October 2009 in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying game.

Ireland reached a qualifying play-off against France, but were controversially eliminated by a goal scored after Thierry Henry handled the ball.

On 13 August 2012, Given announced on Twitter his decision to retire from international football, describing it as an "unforgettable experience" to play for his country.

[134][135] Due to Given's lack of playing time with his club Aston Villa, there was speculation that he would make himself available for selection as part of Ireland's 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

[142] On 8 October 2015, Given suffered a knee injury and had to be stretchered off after 44 minutes against the 2014 FIFA World Cup winners Germany in what turned out to be a memorable night for Ireland as they prevailed with a 1–0 win.

[155] In November 2020, Given was part of an interim coaching quartet alongside Wayne Rooney, Liam Rosenior and Justin Walker after Cocu was sacked earlier that month.

[164] Honours Sunderland Swindon Town Newcastle United Manchester City Aston Villa Republic of Ireland Individual