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GAA Discussion => GAA Discussion => Topic started by: befair on April 02, 2023, 06:23:04 PM

Title: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: befair on April 02, 2023, 06:23:04 PM
Is Galligan, the Cavan keeper, the best dead-ball kicker ever? Better than Cluxton, Beggan, Morgan? I think so
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: From the Bunker on April 02, 2023, 06:28:43 PM
Larry Tompkins
Brian Stafford
Maurice Sheridan
Maurice Fitzgerald
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Shamrock Shore on April 02, 2023, 06:38:21 PM
Jimmy Keaveny was pretty handy.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Hound on April 02, 2023, 06:42:15 PM
Dean Rock the best Dub ever. Better than Clucko, better than his dad, even better than Jimmy.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Cunny Funt on April 02, 2023, 06:42:42 PM
Quote from: From the Bunker on April 02, 2023, 06:28:43 PM
Larry Tompkins
Brian Stafford
Maurice Sheridan
Maurice Fitzgerald
Has been loads in the past. Apart from goalkeepers kicking them it seems to be a dying art in game.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: befair on April 02, 2023, 06:49:00 PM
Agreed there have been many great kickers in the past, with a heavier ball, but I don't recall any putting 45s (and further) over with such metronomic efficiency.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: screenexile on April 02, 2023, 06:50:58 PM
Quote from: befair on April 02, 2023, 06:49:00 PM
Agreed there have been many great kickers in the past, with a heavier ball, but I don't recall any putting 45s (and further) over with such metronomic efficiency.

Anthony Tohill
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Rossfan on April 02, 2023, 07:02:34 PM
Galligan was the 2nd best dead ball kicker in Croke Park this weekend.
Meanwhile .....
Peter Donoghue
Tony McTague
Cyril Dunne
Brian Stafford
And probably 100 more over the years.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: bennydorano on April 02, 2023, 07:31:59 PM
Brian Stafford is a good shout, probably my N1 choice.  Ross Carr didn't miss many either for Down.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: lenny on April 02, 2023, 07:53:38 PM
Beggan and niall morgan probably the 2 best at the moment with beggan out in front by a distance. He just makes it look so effortless even long distance ones.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Brick Tamlin on April 02, 2023, 08:43:21 PM
Former kerry player Bryan sheehan needs to be included in this discussion
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: JimStynes on April 02, 2023, 08:45:50 PM
Quote from: Brick Tamlin on April 02, 2023, 08:43:21 PM
Former kerry player Bryan sheehan needs to be included in this discussion

Ridiculous length in his kicks as well!
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: mrdeeds on April 02, 2023, 09:16:56 PM
Ronan Carolan up there.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Rawhide on April 02, 2023, 09:19:48 PM
The best free kicked in croke park was Naill Morgans free V Kerry in the semifinal two seasons ago. Munsterous distance which carried another 10m over the bar
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: thewobbler on April 02, 2023, 10:03:48 PM


I'd suggest no goalkeeper can be considered in this equation unless you're talking about a long kicking contest. They don't hit the angled 30m and 40m kicks, so can can concentrate on power when practicing.

I'd also suggest that anyone promoting some standout player from the halcyon days just didn't watch Dean Rock closely enough during the noughties. There's never been a free taker as relentlessly reliable, ever.

Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: In hiding on April 02, 2023, 10:06:28 PM
Colin corkery
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: From the Bunker on April 02, 2023, 10:09:43 PM
Quote from: In hiding on April 02, 2023, 10:06:28 PM
Colin corkery

We have a WINNER!  ;D
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: armaghniac on April 02, 2023, 10:11:44 PM
couple of good Kerrymen here
Maurice FItz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT9aEauktzE
Brian Sheehan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5WaNh0a3UI
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: APM on April 02, 2023, 10:18:10 PM
I see some suggestions like Brian Stafford, Colin Corkery etc.  My memory of Stafford was kicking a lot of 21 and 30 yard frees off the ground in front of the post and Ger Canning talking about his clinical finishing. 

Watching Galligan yesterday and Colm Reape today, it occurred to me that the standard of dead ball kicking has never been higher. Some of those guys are capable of scoring from 60 metres which would hardly have been attempted in those days.

I'm not sure who is the best ever, but I'm fairly sure, whoever it is, is either still playing or was playing up to very recently. 
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: imtommygunn on April 02, 2023, 10:18:30 PM
Quote from: In hiding on April 02, 2023, 10:06:28 PM
Colin corkery

My thinking too. Did he not go to American football for a bit?
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Blowitupref on April 02, 2023, 10:27:26 PM
Quote from: APM on April 02, 2023, 10:18:10 PM
I see some suggestions like Brian Stafford, Colin Corkery etc.  My memory of Stafford was kicking a lot of 21 and 30 yard frees off the ground in front of the post and Ger Canning talking about his clinical finishing. 

Watching Galligan yesterday and Colm Reape today, it occurred to me that the standard of dead ball kicking has never been higher. Some of those guys are capable of scoring from 60 metres which would hardly have been attempted in those days.

I'm not sure who is the best ever, but I'm fairly sure, whoever it is, is either still playing or was playing up to very recently.

Not sure who is the best ever either but I'd think the opposite, the best probably retired and retired long ago.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Ciarrai_thuaidh on April 03, 2023, 01:15:21 AM
Discussion around Shane Walsh kicking with both feet (probably going too much on left etc) from frees just brings home how rare it is to see a free taker equally or almost equally adept with both feet. In that regard Maurice Fitz and Colin Corkery are probably the 2 best I've seen.

Strangely enough, maybe being a ciotóg myself, I always thought Enda Gormley had a beautiful technique and a good range off his left back in the day. He could kick them from the left side aswell which is unusual for a leftie. Ross Carr also from same vintage and he had a massive boot aswell.

Have to mention Derek Duggan..that kick from was it 68m? Outrageous!

Don't accept at all the premise that modern kickers have been better off the ground. Yes, there are some excellent strikers of the ball and a lot of them goalies, but as said already you don't see them kicking frees off the ground from all angles. That's my definition of top class free taking. Much and all as I admire the likes of Rory Beggan. And to add, Niall Morgan's kick in the semi final against us was one of the best I've seen in the flesh. It hit the canal end net catcher at a good height aswell. An amazing kick.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: ardtole on April 03, 2023, 06:28:03 AM
Bryan Sheehan I always remember being very accurate and had an enormous kick as well.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: marty34 on April 03, 2023, 07:53:11 AM
How does one lad kick it so far anyway?

Is it technique or hamstrings?

What's the science behind it?
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Dreadnought on April 03, 2023, 08:10:26 AM
Quote from: APM on April 02, 2023, 10:18:10 PM
I see some suggestions like Brian Stafford, Colin Corkery etc.  My memory of Stafford was kicking a lot of 21 and 30 yard frees off the ground in front of the post and Ger Canning talking about his clinical finishing. 

Watching Galligan yesterday and Colm Reape today, it occurred to me that the standard of dead ball kicking has never been higher. Some of those guys are capable of scoring from 60 metres which would hardly have been attempted in those days.

I'm not sure who is the best ever, but I'm fairly sure, whoever it is, is either still playing or was playing up to very recently.

That's my thoughts too. They're far more accurate from distance, with control over the ball to get it over the bar from that far out. I grew up on a diet of being told about these dead eye specialists, who never missed a dead ball. But like anything, it was romanticised. I remember during Covid when some old games were released on YouTube or such, and jeez they weren't as good as we thought. For my own county, they released the 97 Ulster final and AI semi final. I recalled Ronan Carolan barely missing one when I was a kid watching, but he missed loads in those games! Like everything, we think things were better in the past, but they really weren't. Standard of nearly everything is far better now, and that includes free taking. The likes of Galligan, Morgan, and Beggan are some of the best ever I reckon.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: meatsy86 on April 03, 2023, 08:43:34 AM
Gary Mason is another man that has to be up there. Primarily featured in Downs two wins in the 90s because of his place kicking ability.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: thewobbler on April 03, 2023, 08:55:54 AM
Quote from: meatsy86 on April 03, 2023, 08:43:34 AM
Gary Mason is another man that has to be up there. Primarily featured in Downs two wins in the 90s because of his place kicking ability.

More of the romanticism that dreadnought mentioned. Mason was a good free taker with decent length but he wasn't even the best free taker in his household, or his county, let alone of his era, let alone to be discussed in this thread.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Brick Tamlin on April 03, 2023, 09:01:13 AM
Dara O'Cinneide wasnt the worst.
Enda Gormley was goood.
Carolan was standout.
Corkery brilliant.
Oisin McConville didnt miss many (Though alot from the hands)
Charlie Redmond wasnt too shabby
Stafford and Giles.
Dean Rock probably so prominent because sheer exposure and watching him so often cuz the dubs havent been off our screen this last 12 Yrs. But he was/is unreal.
Goalkeepers shouldnt be included until they kick them from all angles/distances.
Anthony Tohill was very good.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: seafoid on April 03, 2023, 09:20:57 AM

Maurice Sheridan used to kick them over mechanically for Mayo when they were going well in the 90s.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Armagh18 on April 03, 2023, 10:16:25 AM
Dean Rock got to be up there. Sean O'Shea doesnt miss to many either when he's going well.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: rosnarun on April 03, 2023, 10:35:45 AM
Many of the goalies mentioned hve fantastic Strikes of the ball , Beggan probably the best at the moment .
and you cant compare the plastic coated ball with the one they eued in the 60's

But this is a question the stats answer . the greatest free taker of all time is
.
.
.
Cillian o'Connor  and Matt connor boteh with an average of 7 pts per game.
Close the thread
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Taylor on April 03, 2023, 11:27:16 AM
Should it not be measured by % of frees scored v taken?
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Wildweasel74 on April 03, 2023, 06:10:17 PM
Seen them all, Maurice Fitz was the best.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: thewobbler on April 03, 2023, 07:34:13 PM
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on April 03, 2023, 06:10:17 PM
Seen them all, Maurice Fitz was the best.

For my money Maurice Fitz is the most over romanticised footballer of my lifetime. There is no doubting his class, and his languid, effortless style was lovely to watch. But his fans would have you believe he was always on his game, when he really wasn't. Kieran McDonald has a similar resonance with how he's remembered, but Fitz fans won't hear any other tell.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Wildweasel74 on April 03, 2023, 09:29:57 PM
Played for yrs on a very poor Kerry team that only game to life around 1997 of the bck of 2 U21 teams.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: onefineday on April 03, 2023, 11:40:12 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 03, 2023, 10:16:25 AM
Dean Rock got to be up there. Sean O'Shea doesnt miss to many either when he's going well.
I think he missed one free last year  in championship football - kinda significant too, as it was v Kerry!
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: rrhf on April 04, 2023, 07:45:20 AM
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on April 03, 2023, 06:10:17 PM
Seen them all, Maurice Fitz was the best.
Close the thread now.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: seafoid on April 04, 2023, 08:22:55 AM
Here is a comparison with data

https://dontfoul.wordpress.com/2016/06/17/the-best-free-taker/
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: onefineday on April 04, 2023, 08:29:17 AM
On a related note, why do players insist on kicking those eminently missable frees from 30 odd yds out, a little off centre, from their hands?
Those kicks are probably over 90% off the ground for a dead ball kicker, but more like 70-75% out of the hands - with all the stats analysis going on, it baffles me that this continues.
As for keepers taking frees, grand, but we need a time limit, typically at least a minute is used up when the keeper comes up to kick - strict 38 sec rule or something of that nature.
The worst example was cluxton in 2011 who successfully wound down the clock with his last kick, couple of minutes iirc.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: tonto1888 on April 04, 2023, 08:31:28 AM
Quote from: Ciarrai_thuaidh on April 03, 2023, 01:15:21 AM
Discussion around Shane Walsh kicking with both feet (probably going too much on left etc) from frees just brings home how rare it is to see a free taker equally or almost equally adept with both feet. In that regard Maurice Fitz and Colin Corkery are probably the 2 best I've seen.

Strangely enough, maybe being a ciotóg myself, I always thought Enda Gormley had a beautiful technique and a good range off his left back in the day. He could kick them from the left side aswell which is unusual for a leftie. Ross Carr also from same vintage and he had a massive boot aswell.

Have to mention Derek Duggan..that kick from was it 68m? Outrageous!

Don't accept at all the premise that modern kickers have been better off the ground. Yes, there are some excellent strikers of the ball and a lot of them goalies, but as said already you don't see them kicking frees off the ground from all angles. That's my definition of top class free taking. Much and all as I admire the likes of Rory Beggan. And to add, Niall Morgan's kick in the semi final against us was one of the best I've seen in the flesh. It hit the canal end net catcher at a good height aswell. An amazing kick.

I am not putting him up in the conversation as the best ever because he isnt, and is nowhere near it, but Rian ONeills free against galway last year was the best Ive evr seen - yes, I am biased. The distance, angle and the pressure make it for me
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: tc_manchester on April 04, 2023, 08:37:08 AM
The cleanest kicker of a dead ball I've seen was Matt Connor of Offaly
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Hound on April 04, 2023, 08:40:47 AM
Quote from: onefineday on April 04, 2023, 08:29:17 AM
The worst example was cluxton in 2011 who successfully wound down the clock with his last kick, couple of minutes iirc.
58 seconds between time when the ref whistles for the free and the time it leaves Cluxton's boot. Hardly the worst example.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Armagh18 on April 04, 2023, 09:18:25 AM
Quote from: tonto1888 on April 04, 2023, 08:31:28 AM
Quote from: Ciarrai_thuaidh on April 03, 2023, 01:15:21 AM
Discussion around Shane Walsh kicking with both feet (probably going too much on left etc) from frees just brings home how rare it is to see a free taker equally or almost equally adept with both feet. In that regard Maurice Fitz and Colin Corkery are probably the 2 best I've seen.

Strangely enough, maybe being a ciotóg myself, I always thought Enda Gormley had a beautiful technique and a good range off his left back in the day. He could kick them from the left side aswell which is unusual for a leftie. Ross Carr also from same vintage and he had a massive boot aswell.

Have to mention Derek Duggan..that kick from was it 68m? Outrageous!

Don't accept at all the premise that modern kickers have been better off the ground. Yes, there are some excellent strikers of the ball and a lot of them goalies, but as said already you don't see them kicking frees off the ground from all angles. That's my definition of top class free taking. Much and all as I admire the likes of Rory Beggan. And to add, Niall Morgan's kick in the semi final against us was one of the best I've seen in the flesh. It hit the canal end net catcher at a good height aswell. An amazing kick.

I am not putting him up in the conversation as the best ever because he isnt, and is nowhere near it, but Rian ONeills free against galway last year was the best Ive evr seen - yes, I am biased. The distance, angle and the pressure make it for me
It was unbelievable. Misses too many handy ones though to be in this discussion, as good as he is.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: imtommygunn on April 04, 2023, 09:22:44 AM
Sean O'Shea's was as good as it too. O'Neill didn't have the posts shaking at him  ;D

I don't remember many, if any, as good as either of them tbh.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: trailer on April 04, 2023, 09:50:19 AM
Quote from: Brick Tamlin on April 02, 2023, 08:43:21 PM
Former kerry player Bryan sheehan needs to be included in this discussion

Totally agree. Him and Maurice Fitz.
Absolutely mental shoutout to yer man Shelly something from Antrim who kick about 15 points from frees V Down in the 00's. Can't mind his surname or exactly how many points he scored but he had two different boots and had a crazy good game.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: blanketattack on April 04, 2023, 09:57:41 AM
Quote from: thewobbler on April 03, 2023, 07:34:13 PM
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on April 03, 2023, 06:10:17 PM
Seen them all, Maurice Fitz was the best.

For my money Maurice Fitz is the most over romanticised footballer of my lifetime. There is no doubting his class, and his languid, effortless style was lovely to watch. But his fans would have you believe he was always on his game, when he really wasn't. Kieran McDonald has a similar resonance with how he's remembered, but Fitz fans won't hear any other tell.

When I see someone scoring a point off the ground from the 13 metre line out by the sideline with their weaker foot in an All-Ireland final, or a last second equalising sideline from 45 metres out with the opposing manager roaring in his ear, or scoring two sidelines one with the left and one with the right in the same match, I'll stop romanticised Maurice Fitz as the best ever dead ball kicker.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: rosnarun on April 04, 2023, 12:02:28 PM
Quote from: seafoid on April 04, 2023, 08:22:55 AM
Here is a comparison with data

https://dontfoul.wordpress.com/2016/06/17/the-best-free-taker/

QuoteO'Connor's consistency is beyond reproach and it is this, alloyed to his proven accuracy, that surely gives him the title of "the best free taker".
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: tonto1888 on April 04, 2023, 12:02:58 PM
Quote from: imtommygunn on April 04, 2023, 09:22:44 AM
Sean O'Shea's was as good as it too. O'Neill didn't have the posts shaking at him  ;D

I don't remember many, if any, as good as either of them tbh.

for me, Rian's was slightly better as it was miss and theyre out. If SoS missed then there was extra time. Slightly less pressure IMO. Still a fantastic free
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Kidder81 on April 04, 2023, 12:06:26 PM
Quote from: tonto1888 on April 04, 2023, 12:02:58 PM
Quote from: imtommygunn on April 04, 2023, 09:22:44 AM
Sean O'Shea's was as good as it too. O'Neill didn't have the posts shaking at him  ;D

I don't remember many, if any, as good as either of them tbh.

for me, Rian's was slightly better as it was miss and theyre out. If SoS missed then there was extra time. Slightly less pressure IMO. Still a fantastic free

O'Sheas looked like it had another 20 yards of distance
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Armagh18 on April 04, 2023, 12:21:40 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 04, 2023, 12:02:28 PM
Quote from: seafoid on April 04, 2023, 08:22:55 AM
Here is a comparison with data

https://dontfoul.wordpress.com/2016/06/17/the-best-free-taker/

QuoteO'Connor's consistency is beyond reproach and it is this, alloyed to his proven accuracy, that surely gives him the title of "the best free taker".
Did he not cost them an all ireland one year missing a tough but very scorable free?
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: mouview on April 04, 2023, 12:33:33 PM
Derek Duggan's in '91 worthy of mention; last kick of game to equalise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3eW_QhfrRA

Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Kidder81 on April 04, 2023, 12:47:49 PM
Quote from: trailer on April 04, 2023, 09:50:19 AM
Quote from: Brick Tamlin on April 02, 2023, 08:43:21 PM
Former kerry player Bryan sheehan needs to be included in this discussion

Totally agree. Him and Maurice Fitz.
Absolutely mental shoutout to yer man Shelly something from Antrim who kick about 15 points from frees V Down in the 00's. Can't mind his surname or exactly how many points he scored but he had two different boots and had a crazy good game.

Sheeny McQuillan ?
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: tintin25 on April 04, 2023, 01:01:19 PM
Quote from: Kidder81 on April 04, 2023, 12:47:49 PM
Quote from: trailer on April 04, 2023, 09:50:19 AM
Quote from: Brick Tamlin on April 02, 2023, 08:43:21 PM
Former kerry player Bryan sheehan needs to be included in this discussion

Totally agree. Him and Maurice Fitz.
Absolutely mental shoutout to yer man Shelly something from Antrim who kick about 15 points from frees V Down in the 00's. Can't mind his surname or exactly how many points he scored but he had two different boots and had a crazy good game.

Sheeny McQuillan ?

Sheeny McQuillan lol...he was barely putting them over
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: weareros on April 04, 2023, 01:30:01 PM
Quote from: mouview on April 04, 2023, 12:33:33 PM
Derek Duggan's in '91 worthy of mention; last kick of game to equalise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3eW_QhfrRA

Was there that day, standing on the embankment, McHale was a very different ground back then, and had resigned myself to the loss. Derek was also kicking into a very strong breeze. I know people joke that the distance gets exaggerated with everyone who tells the story. But that was a miraculous kick, a moment I will never forget.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: trailer on April 04, 2023, 01:30:06 PM
Quote from: tintin25 on April 04, 2023, 01:01:19 PM
Quote from: Kidder81 on April 04, 2023, 12:47:49 PM
Quote from: trailer on April 04, 2023, 09:50:19 AM
Quote from: Brick Tamlin on April 02, 2023, 08:43:21 PM
Former kerry player Bryan sheehan needs to be included in this discussion

Totally agree. Him and Maurice Fitz.
Absolutely mental shoutout to yer man Shelly something from Antrim who kick about 15 points from frees V Down in the 00's. Can't mind his surname or exactly how many points he scored but he had two different boots and had a crazy good game.

Sheeny McQuillan ?

Sheeny McQuillan lol...he was barely putting them over

Yeah think that's him. Rose tinted glasses lol! He had two different boots on, seemed to work.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: grounded on April 04, 2023, 01:38:20 PM
Quote from: tc_manchester on April 04, 2023, 08:37:08 AM
The cleanest kicker of a dead ball I've seen was Matt Connor of Offaly

A fantastic free taker. Having seen both though, i'd still say Maurice Fitzgerald was better at frees. Matt Connor was a better all round player though!
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: blanketattack on April 04, 2023, 02:43:59 PM
Quote from: weareros on April 04, 2023, 01:30:01 PM
Quote from: mouview on April 04, 2023, 12:33:33 PM
Derek Duggan's in '91 worthy of mention; last kick of game to equalise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3eW_QhfrRA

Was there that day, standing on the embankment, McHale was a very different ground back then, and had resigned myself to the loss. Derek was also kicking into a very strong breeze. I know people joke that the distance gets exaggerated with everyone who tells the story. But that was a miraculous kick, a moment I will never forget.

How far out was it? The camera work was appalling, it's hard to make it out.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: blanketattack on April 04, 2023, 02:47:00 PM
Quote from: onefineday on April 04, 2023, 08:29:17 AM
On a related note, why do players insist on kicking those eminently missable frees from 30 odd yds out, a little off centre, from their hands?
Those kicks are probably over 90% off the ground for a dead ball kicker, but more like 70-75% out of the hands - with all the stats analysis going on, it baffles me that this continues.
As for keepers taking frees, grand, but we need a time limit, typically at least a minute is used up when the keeper comes up to kick - strict 38 sec rule or something of that nature.
The worst example was cluxton in 2011 who successfully wound down the clock with his last kick, couple of minutes iirc.

I always presumed footballers take frees off their hands because they can get away with taking it 5 yards closer to goal than off the ground.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: imtommygunn on April 04, 2023, 02:58:47 PM
McConville was a master at stealing yards. He used to be take off the ground - I assumed that his hamstrings wouldn't let him kick off the ground as much.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Walter Cronc on April 04, 2023, 03:17:05 PM
Surely Ross Carr up there!
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: brokencrossbar1 on April 04, 2023, 03:19:15 PM
Quote from: imtommygunn on April 04, 2023, 02:58:47 PM
McConville was a master at stealing yards. He used to be take off the ground - I assumed that his hamstrings wouldn't let him kick off the ground as much.

His back more than his hamstrings. Guaranteed us 6-7 points every single game,  I won a fair few of them too round the D.... ;)  Always said I helped pad his stats!
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Sportacus on April 04, 2023, 03:19:20 PM
Larry Tompkins was a serious free taker in his day.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: grounded on April 04, 2023, 03:30:01 PM
Brian Stafford didn't miss many for that great Meath side.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: rrhf on April 04, 2023, 10:15:27 PM
Stafford v Tompkins in the late 80s were serious exponents. Eamon Mc enamey from memory was a fine kicker. Gormley had a lovely high curl in and over style. Corkers was class as well.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: blanketattack on April 04, 2023, 11:23:03 PM
Dara Ó Cinnéide was an underrated free kick taker. 
I believe one year he had a 100% record from frees/45s.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: thebuzz on April 04, 2023, 11:33:50 PM
Quote from: tintin25 on April 04, 2023, 01:01:19 PM
Quote from: Kidder81 on April 04, 2023, 12:47:49 PM
Quote from: trailer on April 04, 2023, 09:50:19 AM
Quote from: Brick Tamlin on April 02, 2023, 08:43:21 PM
Former kerry player Bryan sheehan needs to be included in this discussion

Totally agree. Him and Maurice Fitz.
Absolutely mental shoutout to yer man Shelly something from Antrim who kick about 15 points from frees V Down in the 00's. Can't mind his surname or exactly how many points he scored but he had two different boots and had a crazy good game.

Sheeny McQuillan ?

Sheeny McQuillan lol...he was barely putting them over

I think Big Tohill caught one of his to hold Antrim to a draw back about 2000.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: rosnarun on April 05, 2023, 03:32:24 PM
Quote from: rrhf on April 04, 2023, 10:15:27 PM
Stafford v Tompkins in the late 80s were serious exponents. Eamon Mc enamey from memory was a fine kicker. Gormley had a lovely high curl in and over style. Corkers was class as well.
its not about scoring great frees other wise one of the goalies would win. probably beggan though Robbie hennelly hs scored some amazing Kicks from out near the middle of the field .
Consistency is what its about and thats why Cillian wins as teh stats show.
though maybe bounus points should be awarded for importance ,3 i can thingk of are MC enamey to win the league  and Cluxton and Rock to secure  The AIF
i
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Armagh18 on April 05, 2023, 03:34:02 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 05, 2023, 03:32:24 PM
Quote from: rrhf on April 04, 2023, 10:15:27 PM
Stafford v Tompkins in the late 80s were serious exponents. Eamon Mc enamey from memory was a fine kicker. Gormley had a lovely high curl in and over style. Corkers was class as well.
its not about scoring great frees other wise one of the goalies would win. probably beggan though Robbie hennelly hs scored some amazing Kicks from out near the middle of the field .
Consistency is what its about and thats why Cillian wins as teh stats show.
though maybe bounus points should be awarded for importance ,3 i can thingk of are MC enamey to win the league  and Cluxton and Rock to secure  The AIF
i
O'Connor is not ahead  of Dean Rock.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: bennydorano on April 05, 2023, 04:40:44 PM
Quote from: grounded on April 04, 2023, 01:38:20 PM
Quote from: tc_manchester on April 04, 2023, 08:37:08 AM
The cleanest kicker of a dead ball I've seen was Matt Connor of Offaly

A fantastic free taker. Having seen both though, i'd still say Maurice Fitzgerald was better at frees. Matt Connor was a better all round player though!
Not wanting to be disrespectul to the man but Matt Connor enters nearly every GAA conversation eventually in a Godwins law type way. Mo Fitz going the same way.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: lenny on April 05, 2023, 06:41:45 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 05, 2023, 03:32:24 PM
Quote from: rrhf on April 04, 2023, 10:15:27 PM
Stafford v Tompkins in the late 80s were serious exponents. Eamon Mc enamey from memory was a fine kicker. Gormley had a lovely high curl in and over style. Corkers was class as well.
its not about scoring great frees other wise one of the goalies would win. probably beggan though Robbie hennelly hs scored some amazing Kicks from out near the middle of the field .
Consistency is what its about and thats why Cillian wins as teh stats show.
though maybe bounus points should be awarded for importance ,3 i can thingk of are MC enamey to win the league  and Cluxton and Rock to secure  The AIF
i

The thread is about dead ball kicking ie the ball is stationary. That rules out cillian as he takes most of his frees from the hands. Beggan is far and away the best at the moment. Bryan Sheehan of Kerry has a good claim to being the best ever because he was so consistent over short kicks, long kicks and even kicks from huge distances.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: rrhf on April 06, 2023, 07:47:47 AM
Quote from: bennydorano on April 05, 2023, 04:40:44 PM
Quote from: grounded on April 04, 2023, 01:38:20 PM
Quote from: tc_manchester on April 04, 2023, 08:37:08 AM
The cleanest kicker of a dead ball I've seen was Matt Connor of Offaly

A fantastic free taker. Having seen both though, i'd still say Maurice Fitzgerald was better at frees. Matt Connor was a better all round player though!
Not wanting to be disrespectul to the man but Matt Connor enters nearly every GAA conversation eventually in a Godwins law type way. Mo Fitz going the same way.
Matt Connor is the football connoisseurs answer. Most people cannot dispute as they have only seen a clip or 2.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: tc_manchester on April 06, 2023, 09:57:44 AM
Quote from: rrhf on April 06, 2023, 07:47:47 AM
Quote from: bennydorano on April 05, 2023, 04:40:44 PM
Quote from: grounded on April 04, 2023, 01:38:20 PM
Quote from: tc_manchester on April 04, 2023, 08:37:08 AM
The cleanest kicker of a dead ball I've seen was Matt Connor of Offaly

A fantastic free taker. Having seen both though, i'd still say Maurice Fitzgerald was better at frees. Matt Connor was a better all round player though!
Not wanting to be disrespectul to the man but Matt Connor enters nearly every GAA conversation eventually in a Godwins law type way. Mo Fitz going the same way.
Matt Connor is the football connoisseurs answer. Most people cannot dispute as they have only seen a clip or 2.
I only seen him once live in a Centenary Cup match in Dungannon but his free kicks made a real impression on me. Frank McGuigan was still the best footballer on the pitch that day though.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: rosnarun on April 06, 2023, 12:11:26 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 05, 2023, 03:34:02 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 05, 2023, 03:32:24 PM
Quote from: rrhf on April 04, 2023, 10:15:27 PM
Stafford v Tompkins in the late 80s were serious exponents. Eamon Mc enamey from memory was a fine kicker. Gormley had a lovely high curl in and over style. Corkers was class as well.
its not about scoring great frees other wise one of the goalies would win. probably beggan though Robbie hennelly hs scored some amazing Kicks from out near the middle of the field .
Consistency is what its about and thats why Cillian wins as teh stats show.
though maybe bounus points should be awarded for importance ,3 i can thingk of are MC enamey to win the league  and Cluxton and Rock to secure  The AIF
i
O'Connor is not ahead  of Dean Rock.
sorry, stats disagree with you.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: blanketattack on April 06, 2023, 12:39:11 PM
Quote from: lenny on April 05, 2023, 06:41:45 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 05, 2023, 03:32:24 PM
Quote from: rrhf on April 04, 2023, 10:15:27 PM
Stafford v Tompkins in the late 80s were serious exponents. Eamon Mc enamey from memory was a fine kicker. Gormley had a lovely high curl in and over style. Corkers was class as well.
its not about scoring great frees other wise one of the goalies would win. probably beggan though Robbie hennelly hs scored some amazing Kicks from out near the middle of the field .
Consistency is what its about and thats why Cillian wins as teh stats show.
though maybe bounus points should be awarded for importance ,3 i can thingk of are MC enamey to win the league  and Cluxton and Rock to secure  The AIF
i

The thread is about dead ball kicking ie the ball is stationary. That rules out cillian as he takes most of his frees from the hands. Beggan is far and away the best at the moment. Bryan Sheehan of Kerry has a good claim to being the best ever because he was so consistent over short kicks, long kicks and even kicks from huge distances.

If you're going to be that pedantic, the ball isn't stationary anyway with the rotation of the earth on its axis and around the sun and the Solar System's movement and the Milky Way's :P
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Armagh18 on April 06, 2023, 02:16:27 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 06, 2023, 12:11:26 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 05, 2023, 03:34:02 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 05, 2023, 03:32:24 PM
Quote from: rrhf on April 04, 2023, 10:15:27 PM
Stafford v Tompkins in the late 80s were serious exponents. Eamon Mc enamey from memory was a fine kicker. Gormley had a lovely high curl in and over style. Corkers was class as well.
its not about scoring great frees other wise one of the goalies would win. probably beggan though Robbie hennelly hs scored some amazing Kicks from out near the middle of the field .
Consistency is what its about and thats why Cillian wins as teh stats show.
though maybe bounus points should be awarded for importance ,3 i can thingk of are MC enamey to win the league  and Cluxton and Rock to secure  The AIF
i
O'Connor is not ahead  of Dean Rock.
sorry, stats disagree with you.
Stats or no stats, in their prime I know who I'd want standing over a high pressure important kick.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: trailer on April 06, 2023, 03:27:48 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 06, 2023, 02:16:27 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 06, 2023, 12:11:26 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 05, 2023, 03:34:02 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 05, 2023, 03:32:24 PM
Quote from: rrhf on April 04, 2023, 10:15:27 PM
Stafford v Tompkins in the late 80s were serious exponents. Eamon Mc enamey from memory was a fine kicker. Gormley had a lovely high curl in and over style. Corkers was class as well.
its not about scoring great frees other wise one of the goalies would win. probably beggan though Robbie hennelly hs scored some amazing Kicks from out near the middle of the field .
Consistency is what its about and thats why Cillian wins as teh stats show.
though maybe bounus points should be awarded for importance ,3 i can thingk of are MC enamey to win the league  and Cluxton and Rock to secure  The AIF
i
O'Connor is not ahead  of Dean Rock.
sorry, stats disagree with you.
Stats or no stats, in their prime I know who I'd want standing over a high pressure important kick.

O'Connor missed the biggest pressure kick he had. Canavan for example, same free, same area, same pressure, didn't miss. Thems the margins.
I wouldn't have him in any of the conversations around best free takers.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: From the Bunker on April 06, 2023, 03:40:24 PM
Quote from: trailer on April 06, 2023, 03:27:48 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 06, 2023, 02:16:27 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 06, 2023, 12:11:26 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 05, 2023, 03:34:02 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 05, 2023, 03:32:24 PM
Quote from: rrhf on April 04, 2023, 10:15:27 PM
Stafford v Tompkins in the late 80s were serious exponents. Eamon Mc enamey from memory was a fine kicker. Gormley had a lovely high curl in and over style. Corkers was class as well.
its not about scoring great frees other wise one of the goalies would win. probably beggan though Robbie hennelly hs scored some amazing Kicks from out near the middle of the field .
Consistency is what its about and thats why Cillian wins as teh stats show.
though maybe bounus points should be awarded for importance ,3 i can thingk of are MC enamey to win the league  and Cluxton and Rock to secure  The AIF
i
O'Connor is not ahead  of Dean Rock.
sorry, stats disagree with you.
Stats or no stats, in their prime I know who I'd want standing over a high pressure important kick.

O'Connor missed the biggest pressure kick he had. Canavan for example, same free, same area, same pressure, didn't miss. Thems the margins.
I wouldn't have him in any of the conversations around best free takers.

Rock missed the big pressure kick in the 2019 AI Final. All of the great players miss frees, they're human.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Armagh18 on April 06, 2023, 03:42:57 PM
Quote from: From the Bunker on April 06, 2023, 03:40:24 PM
Quote from: trailer on April 06, 2023, 03:27:48 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 06, 2023, 02:16:27 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 06, 2023, 12:11:26 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 05, 2023, 03:34:02 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 05, 2023, 03:32:24 PM
Quote from: rrhf on April 04, 2023, 10:15:27 PM
Stafford v Tompkins in the late 80s were serious exponents. Eamon Mc enamey from memory was a fine kicker. Gormley had a lovely high curl in and over style. Corkers was class as well.
its not about scoring great frees other wise one of the goalies would win. probably beggan though Robbie hennelly hs scored some amazing Kicks from out near the middle of the field .
Consistency is what its about and thats why Cillian wins as teh stats show.
though maybe bounus points should be awarded for importance ,3 i can thingk of are MC enamey to win the league  and Cluxton and Rock to secure  The AIF
i
O'Connor is not ahead  of Dean Rock.
sorry, stats disagree with you.
Stats or no stats, in their prime I know who I'd want standing over a high pressure important kick.

O'Connor missed the biggest pressure kick he had. Canavan for example, same free, same area, same pressure, didn't miss. Thems the margins.
I wouldn't have him in any of the conversations around best free takers.

Rock missed the big pressure kick in the 2019 AI Final. All of the great players miss frees, they're human.
Wasn't Rocks more or less from the sideline? Was certainly tougher than O'Connors. Rock scored that one with Keegan throwing the gps at him in 2016 or 2017 under huge pressure
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: From the Bunker on April 06, 2023, 03:45:37 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 06, 2023, 03:42:57 PM
Quote from: From the Bunker on April 06, 2023, 03:40:24 PM
Quote from: trailer on April 06, 2023, 03:27:48 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 06, 2023, 02:16:27 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 06, 2023, 12:11:26 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 05, 2023, 03:34:02 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 05, 2023, 03:32:24 PM
Quote from: rrhf on April 04, 2023, 10:15:27 PM
Stafford v Tompkins in the late 80s were serious exponents. Eamon Mc enamey from memory was a fine kicker. Gormley had a lovely high curl in and over style. Corkers was class as well.
its not about scoring great frees other wise one of the goalies would win. probably beggan though Robbie hennelly hs scored some amazing Kicks from out near the middle of the field .
Consistency is what its about and thats why Cillian wins as teh stats show.
though maybe bounus points should be awarded for importance ,3 i can thingk of are MC enamey to win the league  and Cluxton and Rock to secure  The AIF
i
O'Connor is not ahead  of Dean Rock.
sorry, stats disagree with you.
Stats or no stats, in their prime I know who I'd want standing over a high pressure important kick.

O'Connor missed the biggest pressure kick he had. Canavan for example, same free, same area, same pressure, didn't miss. Thems the margins.
I wouldn't have him in any of the conversations around best free takers.

Rock missed the big pressure kick in the 2019 AI Final. All of the great players miss frees, they're human.
Wasn't Rocks more or less from the sideline? Was certainly tougher than O'Connors. Rock scored that one with Keegan throwing the gps at him in 2016 or 2017 under huge pressure

There is less pressure on a kicker when the sides are level.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: trailer on April 06, 2023, 04:07:04 PM
Quote from: From the Bunker on April 06, 2023, 03:40:24 PM
Quote from: trailer on April 06, 2023, 03:27:48 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 06, 2023, 02:16:27 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 06, 2023, 12:11:26 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 05, 2023, 03:34:02 PM
Quote from: rosnarun on April 05, 2023, 03:32:24 PM
Quote from: rrhf on April 04, 2023, 10:15:27 PM
Stafford v Tompkins in the late 80s were serious exponents. Eamon Mc enamey from memory was a fine kicker. Gormley had a lovely high curl in and over style. Corkers was class as well.
its not about scoring great frees other wise one of the goalies would win. probably beggan though Robbie hennelly hs scored some amazing Kicks from out near the middle of the field .
Consistency is what its about and thats why Cillian wins as teh stats show.
though maybe bounus points should be awarded for importance ,3 i can thingk of are MC enamey to win the league  and Cluxton and Rock to secure  The AIF
i
O'Connor is not ahead  of Dean Rock.
sorry, stats disagree with you.
Stats or no stats, in their prime I know who I'd want standing over a high pressure important kick.

O'Connor missed the biggest pressure kick he had. Canavan for example, same free, same area, same pressure, didn't miss. Thems the margins.
I wouldn't have him in any of the conversations around best free takers.

Rock missed the big pressure kick in the 2019 AI Final. All of the great players miss frees, they're human.

I can't remember it if I am honest. O'Connor is a wonderful footballer and hugely talented. Best dead ball man? Not for me.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: Armaghtothebone on April 08, 2023, 02:07:09 PM
Matt Connor from Offaly?
Also one of the most gifted footballers ever to put on a pair of boots.
Title: Re: Best dead-ball kicker - ever?
Post by: nrico2006 on April 08, 2023, 02:20:48 PM
Michael Murphy?