The Bould Francie

[mackers]

Who's comparing them? Someone simply said that McNulty always marked Canavan well which is FACT. You could count the number of points from play that Canavan got off McNulty on one hand which is some record when you think of the quality of Canavan.

Points from play are only one aspect.  You also have to consider fouls drawn in scoring positions and key passes which resulted in scores.   Preventing a player scoring from play means little if you foul him in the process and the other team score from the free.

I don't know the stats myself but you'd have to take all 3 into consideration.

Come back when you get the stats, until then you can take it that Enda always marked Canavan well.

[johnpower]

I wish him well on his retirement . The new rules might not suit him but I have always rated him.

[Santino]

Would love to see him get one more match, even just a run on, so he can get a good sendoff from the fans. same for McGrane and Paddy.
Thank you Francie!

[johnpower]

Would love to see him get one more match, even just a run on, so he can get a good sendoff from the fans. same for McGrane and Paddy.
Thank you Francie!

Such is the nature of the Gaa player when your gone your gone , not like other sports Aussie Rules for example where the entire parish of Cross would be invited onto the pitch to make a presentation

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

Sad to see Francie retire. At his peak in 2003 he was one of the better full backs in the country and fully deserved his all star. He never let Armagh down and always gave us the best he had. No quarter given or asked and he played the game fairly and honestly. We could ask no more of him.

[Our Nail Loney]

Sad to see Francie retire. At his peak in 2003 he was one of the better full backs in the country and fully deserved his all star. He never let Armagh down and always gave us the best he had. No quarter given or asked and he played the game fairly and honestly. We could ask no more of him.

[tyrone86]

Maybe I got carried away a bit. McNulty seemed to up it more in the physical stakes when playing Canavan, whereas McKeever didn't. McKeever knew he could get the better than Canavan in footballing terms, likewise that Canavan knew he could get the better of him.

That's nonsense. McKeever fared well in their encounters and probably broke even or maybe a bit better overall. McNulty dominated Canavan almost every time - by whatever means.

Argument invalid. Canavan in 95/96 was at his absolute peak. The Canavan of 2001-05 which McNulty was acquainted with was a shadow of the one that McKeever had to deal with.

[ONeill]

Still no press release from Francie:

http://www.freewebs.com/franciebellew/

[ONeill]

The Ballad of Francie Bellew
– Laois v Armagh Quarter Final 2005

Oh gather near
So you can hear
The things I have to tell you
About the Ar-
-Magh superstar
By name of Francie Bellew.

The Laois men came
To wide acclaim,
But none of them did fancy
The battle royal
On Croke Park soil
Against old warhorse Francie.

This mighty man
Jumped, caught and ran,
As though he were a chis'ller.
At times inspired,
He never tired
And really played a sizzler.

"You try your best,"
He cried, possessed,
"But this time I'll repel you!"
And though Laois tried,
They were denied
All day by Francie Bellew.

He mopped up all
The dropping ball
From Munnelly and Clancy.
Poor Laois were left
Bemused, bereft,
Dispirited by Francie.

While others on
Armagh's team shone,
With goals and points well taken,
Defensively,
He led with glee
And thus brought home the bacon.

If you searched hard
To find a yard-
-Stick of perfection, well you
Just couldn't stray
From that display
By vet'ran Francie Bellew.

Its true Laois scored,
A poor reward,
The goal was somewhat chancey,
But by and large
Their entourage
Was gobbled up by Francie.

When Laois attacked,
Their men were tracked
And tackled as required.
Their game-plan was
Destroyed because
Bould Francie was inspired.

In life, you're sent
To some extent
To where the fates propel you.
But giants there
Could not compare
To mighty Francie Bellew.

So travel to
Far Timbuktu,
Descend the mighty Yan-tse,
You'll never find
A man to mind
A forward line like Francie.

http://petessportingverse.blogspot.com/2007/08/ballad-of-francie-bellew.html

[ardmhachaabu]

Cracker ONeill.

[orangeman]

Fair play O'Neill - like Francie you keep coming up with the goods.

[Feckitt]

Jarlath Burns has done a great piece on The Bould Francie in todays Gaelic Life. 
The legend lives on.

[Santino]

Any links anyone?

[5 Sams]

Don't start me....

[Gaffer]

Any links anyone?

Here's a link to many newsagents throughout N Ireland. Bring a quid with you !!!

http://www.mynewsagent.co.uk/search/Northern-Ireland/newsagents-in-northern-ireland.html