I was wondering who if anyone has had a better debut season than Paul Murphy?
Scored a goal on his championship debut from corner back, played every minute of every championship game, scored a crucial equalising point in the All-Ireland final that was a good bit closer to the sideline than Dooher's much acclaimed point in 2008, played very well in every game, won Man Of The Match in the All-Ireland final, won an All-Ireland medal, is a definite for an All-Star and had a shooting accuracy for the year that forwards could only dream of (https://mobile.twitter.com/sidelineye/status/515521428717068289/photo/1).
Ronan Clarke in 02 would be close but didn't get the motm in an AI final or an All-Star but did get young player of the year.
Aaron Kernan in 2005 had a great debut season. Young player of the year too.
Quote from: blanketattack on October 01, 2014, 07:31:38 PM
I was wondering who if anyone has had a better debut season than Paul Murphy?
Scored a goal on his championship debut from corner back, played every minute of every championship game, scored a crucial equalising point in the All-Ireland final that was a good bit closer to the sideline than Dooher's much acclaimed point in 2008, played very well in every game, won Man Of The Match in the All-Ireland final, won an All-Ireland medal, is a definite for an All-Star and had a shooting accuracy for the year that forwards could only dream of (https://mobile.twitter.com/sidelineye/status/515521428717068289/photo/1).
Ronan Clarke in 02 would be close but didn't get the motm in an AI final or an All-Star but did get young player of the year.
Murphy had some season, but in the comparison you have given i think Ronan Clarke has to be ahead. Coming from Kerry and helping them win their 37th All-Ireland carries less weight than coming through an ulster Championship Tyronex2, Cavan and Donegal and then Sligox2 Dublin and then Kerry in the final to win their 1st ever All-Ireland. Although not MOTM in the final he scored 3 top drawer points and gave 'the great Moynihan' a light head. That summer the southern media went a bit overboard with the 'new messiah' Ray Cosgrove and if Clarke have had that breakthrough for an establish southern superpower he would have had a lot more attention.
We beat Fermanagh in 2002, not Cavan.
And yes, I'd have Clarke ahead.
Jason Sherlock 1995 - none better
Probably has to be the Bomber Liston in 78, Kerry struggled to beat Dublin the previous 2 years and the big man entered the fray that year and give Kerry the aerial threat they previously missed,and he run riot that year. and collected 7 big ones over the next 9yrs
Quote from: RealSpiritof98 on October 01, 2014, 08:04:40 PM
Quote from: blanketattack on October 01, 2014, 07:31:38 PM
I was wondering who if anyone has had a better debut season than Paul Murphy?
Scored a goal on his championship debut from corner back, played every minute of every championship game, scored a crucial equalising point in the All-Ireland final that was a good bit closer to the sideline than Dooher's much acclaimed point in 2008, played very well in every game, won Man Of The Match in the All-Ireland final, won an All-Ireland medal, is a definite for an All-Star and had a shooting accuracy for the year that forwards could only dream of (https://mobile.twitter.com/sidelineye/status/515521428717068289/photo/1).
Ronan Clarke in 02 would be close but didn't get the motm in an AI final or an All-Star but did get young player of the year.
Murphy had some season, but in the comparison you have given i think Ronan Clarke has to be ahead. Coming from Kerry and helping them win their 37th All-Ireland carries less weight than coming through an ulster Championship Tyronex2, Cavan and Donegal and then Sligox2 Dublin and then Kerry in the final to win their 1st ever All-Ireland. Although not MOTM in the final he scored 3 top drawer points and gave 'the great Moynihan' a light head. That summer the southern media went a bit overboard with the 'new messiah' Ray Cosgrove and if Clarke have had that breakthrough for an establish southern superpower he would have had a lot more attention.
Just wondering why you have put the words the great Moynihan in inverted commas?
Quote from: 5 Sams on October 02, 2014, 12:23:34 AM
Quote from: RealSpiritof98 on October 01, 2014, 08:04:40 PM
Quote from: blanketattack on October 01, 2014, 07:31:38 PM
I was wondering who if anyone has had a better debut season than Paul Murphy?
Scored a goal on his championship debut from corner back, played every minute of every championship game, scored a crucial equalising point in the All-Ireland final that was a good bit closer to the sideline than Dooher's much acclaimed point in 2008, played very well in every game, won Man Of The Match in the All-Ireland final, won an All-Ireland medal, is a definite for an All-Star and had a shooting accuracy for the year that forwards could only dream of (https://mobile.twitter.com/sidelineye/status/515521428717068289/photo/1).
Ronan Clarke in 02 would be close but didn't get the motm in an AI final or an All-Star but did get young player of the year.
Murphy had some season, but in the comparison you have given i think Ronan Clarke has to be ahead. Coming from Kerry and helping them win their 37th All-Ireland carries less weight than coming through an ulster Championship Tyronex2, Cavan and Donegal and then Sligox2 Dublin and then Kerry in the final to win their 1st ever All-Ireland. Although not MOTM in the final he scored 3 top drawer points and gave 'the great Moynihan' a light head. That summer the southern media went a bit overboard with the 'new messiah' Ray Cosgrove and if Clarke have had that breakthrough for an establish southern superpower he would have had a lot more attention.
Just wondering why you have put the words the great Moynihan in inverted commas?
He must be a magician these days.
Darren Fay.
All Star in his debut season in 1996 at the age of 19.
Didn't concede a single score from play from his direct opponent in any game.
Was attacked by several Mayo players in the replay and didn't let it faze him.
Quote from: Jinxy on October 02, 2014, 09:54:14 AM
Was attacked by several Mayo players in the replay and didn't let it faze him.
Jinxy, you are an absolute pleasure to come on this board and read your comments. Legend.
Coming from Kerry and helping them win their 37th All-Ireland carries less weight than coming through an ulster Championship
[/quote]
We have suspected this attitude for a long time
good to see it confirmed
Every time I hear Ronan Clarke mentioned I shake my head thinking about what we were deprived of as spectators.
He was absolutely top drawer, its a tragedy he was so plagued with injury.
This is an enjoyable thread.
Kevin Moran, 1976 was another good debut season.
Tony Kellys first full season is as good as it gets. Player Of The Year, Young Player of the Year, All Star and All Ireland winner.
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 02, 2014, 03:01:03 PM
Tony Kellys first full season is as good as it gets. Player Of The Year, Young Player of the Year, All Star and All Ireland winner.
Technically not his debut season though. Played in some games in 2012.
Maybe not up there with the others mentioned but Martin Clarke had a fairly decent first season with Down, helping them to within a pt of an All-Ireland title.
Not bad for a player who had been playin a foreign sport for few years right up to that senior debut.
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 02, 2014, 03:01:03 PM
Tony Kellys first full season is as good as it gets. Player Of The Year, Young Player of the Year, All Star and All Ireland winner.
He played 2 full championship games in 2012 though, so that's his debut season. If it was only a few sub appearances I'd say different.
Jimmy Barry Murphy in 1973 was another great debut season.
Aaron Kernan in 2005. In his first year he became the highest scoring defender ever in an Ulster Championship. Was a key player in the team that won the greatest Ulster Championship that was ever won, and topped it off by giving Peter Canavan a wedgie in the middle of Croke Park! 8)
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on October 02, 2014, 03:19:50 PM
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 02, 2014, 03:01:03 PM
Tony Kellys first full season is as good as it gets. Player Of The Year, Young Player of the Year, All Star and All Ireland winner.
Technically not his debut season though. Played in some games in 2012.
As I said, 2013 was his first real season of inter county hurling as in 2012 he appeared in 2 qualifiers.
Padraig Joyce? 1-3 in the AI final.
Joe Canning; first senior game v Cork in NHL semi-final in Limerick, whipped over a sideline from 60 yards, made the rest of the forwards play. Great goal in the final v Tipp. 2-12 v Cork in Thurles qualifier, played them on his own mostly that evening.
Martin Clarke certainly had an excellent first season in 2010, as Brick Tamlin says, but the best Down newcomer in the modern era was probably Gregory McCartan in 1994.
He played a couple of league games in the half backs that year and was then thrown in away to the All Ireland holders Derry for his championship debut at midfield against what was reckoned to be the top pairing in the country of Tohill and Magilligan.
McCartan also took on the main responsibility for free taking and had an outstanding match as Down won at Celtic Park. He kept up the same standard for the rest of the season and ended up with an All Ireland and an All Star in arguably the most demanding position of all.
He was later unlucky with injuries, and had a spell in the US, but he remained an automatic choice for Down whenever he was available over the next decade.
Is that he of the epic goal celebration?
Not sure if i can mention Cillian O'Connor in this thread. He had a great first 4 seasons. One hampered by a dislocated shoulder injury. But of course he is not a marquee forward and he is not an AI medal holder so he cannot be eligible for a thread of this profile! :-[
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 02, 2014, 03:42:23 PM
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on October 02, 2014, 03:19:50 PM
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 02, 2014, 03:01:03 PM
Tony Kellys first full season is as good as it gets. Player Of The Year, Young Player of the Year, All Star and All Ireland winner.
Technically not his debut season though. Played in some games in 2012.
As I said, 2013 was his first real season of inter county hurling as in 2012 he appeared in 2 qualifiers.
I would count qualifiers as legitimate championship games. Even if he only played in 2 of them.
Quote from: mouview on October 02, 2014, 04:50:51 PM
Padraig Joyce? 1-3 in the AI final.
Yeah 98 was PJ's debut season. Donnellan made an appearance in 97 I think.
Keane, Gregory McCartan's war dance was at the final whistle in Celtic Park. The celebrations after the goal were much more restrained as Down still had to hold out for ten minutes against the AI champions on their own ground.
Quote from: blanketattack on October 01, 2014, 07:31:38 PM
scored a crucial equalising point in the All-Ireland final that was a good bit closer to the sideline than Dooher's much acclaimed point in 2008,
Dooher's acclaimed point had nothing to do with the distance.
Quote from: ONeill on October 02, 2014, 10:39:40 PM
Quote from: blanketattack on October 01, 2014, 07:31:38 PM
scored a crucial equalising point in the All-Ireland final that was a good bit closer to the sideline than Dooher's much acclaimed point in 2008,
Dooher's acclaimed point had nothing to do with the distance.
Nothing to do with it? So if it was 4 yards out it would have gotten the same acclaim?
Bouncing off two tackles on the sideline on the run may have something to do with it.
Not receiving a pass and slicing it.
Quote from: Mourne Rover on October 02, 2014, 05:37:36 PM
Martin Clarke certainly had an excellent first season in 2010, as Brick Tamlin says, but the best Down newcomer in the modern era was probably Gregory McCartan in 1994.
He played a couple of league games in the half backs that year and was then thrown in away to the All Ireland holders Derry for his championship debut at midfield against what was reckoned to be the top pairing in the country of Tohill and Magilligan.
McCartan also took on the main responsibility for free taking and had an outstanding match as Down won at Celtic Park. He kept up the same standard for the rest of the season and ended up with an All Ireland and an All Star in arguably the most demanding position of all.
He was later unlucky with injuries, and had a spell in the US, but he remained an automatic choice for Down whenever he was available over the next decade.
He resides in Liverpool now I believe. Tried to get him down to take our lads to no avail
Quote from: Mourne Rover on October 02, 2014, 10:18:21 PM
Keane, Gregory McCartan's war dance was at the final whistle in Celtic Park. The celebrations after the goal were much more restrained as Down still had to hold out for ten minutes against the AI champions on their own ground.
The only one I've seen is on YouTube of him doing a Ministry of Silly Walks type run back to midfield celebrating a goal, it's absolutely f**king class! I must check if there's a video of him after the whistle goes.
Here's the goal celebration anyway (presume it's the same game) - love it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6IZysuPkLs
Quote from: Mourne Rover on October 02, 2014, 10:18:21 PM
Keane, Gregory McCartan's war dance was at the final whistle in Celtic Park. The celebrations after the goal were much more restrained as Down still had to hold out for ten minutes against the AI champions on their own ground.
Go to 9:14 in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxU9aCiLW3o
That's class. I love that guy!
Quote from: 5 Sams on October 03, 2014, 11:50:39 AM
Quote from: Mourne Rover on October 02, 2014, 10:18:21 PM
Keane, Gregory McCartan's war dance was at the final whistle in Celtic Park. The celebrations after the goal were much more restrained as Down still had to hold out for ten minutes against the AI champions on their own ground.
Go to 9:14 in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxU9aCiLW3o
Does Logie (?) say just after the above: '
Celtic Park is a happy humping ground'?
The commentator is Jimmy Smyth. It is a little difficult to make out what he says but the pictures speak for themselves. Few players enjoyed their celebrations more than big Gregory, and he was unlucky that his prime years coincided with a wider period of decline for Down. He would probably have finished up with another Ulster medal in 2003 if he had not been sent off in the first half of the final through an outrageous piece of acting by Brian McGuigan. However, as a two-footed midfielder who could score from play and frees, he had few equals in his day.
Quote from: Mourne Rover on October 03, 2014, 01:24:33 PM
The commentator is Jimmy Smyth. It is a little difficult to make out what he says but the pictures speak for themselves. Few players enjoyed their celebrations more than big Gregory, and he was unlucky that his prime years coincided with a wider period of decline for Down. He would probably have finished up with another Ulster medal in 2003 if he had not been sent off in the first half of the final through an outrageous accomplished piece of acting by Brian McGuigan. However, as a two-footed midfielder who could score from play and frees, he had few equals in his day.
Quote from: Mourne Rover on October 03, 2014, 01:24:33 PM
The commentator is Jimmy Smyth. It is a little difficult to make out what he says but the pictures speak for themselves. Few players enjoyed their celebrations more than big Gregory, and he was unlucky that his prime years coincided with a wider period of decline for Down. He would probably have finished up with another Ulster medal in 2003 if he had not been sent off in the first half of the final through an outrageous piece of acting by Brian McGuigan. However, as a two-footed midfielder who could score from play and frees, he had few equals in his day.
Not only was he two footed, he could throw a ball like a cannonball, Brian McGuigan was lucky he wasn't killed by that ball..
Big Ger McGrattan won Downs only hurling allstar in his debut year, he was only 20 at the time.
Tony Kelly in all fairness probably bettered him in 2013, only just though 8)
Martin Clarke had a outstanding debut season mostly because he led the team. It's not that he only played well, he was the defacto captain and focus of the entire play both defensively and attacking.
But another Down man with a terrific debut season was Peter Rooney. Started the 1968 championship as a minor and finished as an All-Ireland Senior winner. That's a pretty impressive. I also think (but not sure) that he actually played minor and senior championship on the same day.
I remember the buzz around Clarke returning home from the afl and was well justified in my opinion, was a play-maker through and through, was consistently good in 2010 and his aura lifted the team itself.
I feel he will make a huge impact for Down this year if he opts in, also expect Caolan Mooney to break into the panel and show his worth,
Going on the bbc report today Clarke has had some ill health of late. I hope he recovers fully with no lasting impact on his health and fitness.
QuoteNot only was he two footed, he could throw a ball like a cannonball, Brian McGuigan was lucky he wasn't killed by that ball..
Big Ger McGrattan won Downs only hurling allstar in his debut year, he was only 20 at the time.
Tony Kelly in all fairness probably bettered him in 2013, only just though 8)
I bet Tony couldn't carry off the white socks with tux look though! ;D
You Ards boys were always fashion leaders. ;)
Quote from: ONeill on October 03, 2014, 01:02:36 AM
Bouncing off two tackles on the sideline on the run may have something to do with it.
Not receiving a pass and slicing it.
Yup, and if he was wearing a green and gold jersey he'd have been dragged to the ground on the first tackle.
I suppose its easier to win when one team is naively trying to play fair.
Quote from: Mike Sheehy on October 03, 2014, 09:02:41 PM
Quote from: ONeill on October 03, 2014, 01:02:36 AM
Bouncing off two tackles on the sideline on the run may have something to do with it.
Not receiving a pass and slicing it.
Yup, and if he was wearing a green and gold jersey he'd have been dragged to the ground on the first tackle.
I suppose its easier to win when one team is naively trying to play fair.
lol Did you see Kerry this year in the All Ireland. Kerry are as cynical as any other team, If you took the blinkers off maybe you would see this.
Quote from: Ethan Tremblay on October 03, 2014, 04:04:48 PM
I remember the buzz around Clarke returning home from the afl and was well justified in my opinion, was a play-maker through and through, was consistently good in 2010 and his aura lifted the team itself.
I feel he will make a huge impact for Down this year if he opts in, also expect Caolan Mooney to break into the panel and show his worth,
He was anonymous against Tyrone in 2010.
Quote from: No1 on October 03, 2014, 07:47:06 PM
QuoteNot only was he two footed, he could throw a ball like a cannonball, Brian McGuigan was lucky he wasn't killed by that ball..
Big Ger McGrattan won Downs only hurling allstar in his debut year, he was only 20 at the time.
Tony Kelly in all fairness probably bettered him in 2013, only just though 8)
I bet Tony couldn't carry off the white socks with tux look though! ;D
You Ards boys were always fashion leaders. ;)
Forgot about that, he took a good bit of stick for that alright.
from recollection Mick Lawlor (Laois) debut season was pretty good and deserves an honourable mention
think he got 2-3 in his debut game v louth (the one with the famous massive punch up)
1993 I think
1991 if it was the punch up with Louth, the one with the bearded sub in the tracksuit.
Larry Reilly surely.
Dermot "won an All-Star when he was still at school" McNicholl deserves a mention.
Eoin Mulligan anyone?