The Bould Francie

[Midman]

The unfortunate thing is that given the way he played the game and the way he was situated(i.e minding the square) no one actually got a chance to see Francie at his best.  When he was at the start of his career and playing CHB he was unreal.  He was brilliant at reading the ball, never lost possession, was excellent at fielding the ball and if necessary could fire the ball 40 yards into the FF line, and that without snow on the ball. 

His best attribute as a player was that he always the right thing anytime he got the ball.  He rarely made mistakes.  His humility,bravery and honesty are his best attributes as a person

I've been saying that to boys for years and been laughed at. I remember playing Cross in a minor quarter final and Francie was superb at centre half (as he was for a while at Cross if memory serves). I think we got beat by 15 points that day and got slaughtered at home for it. Looking at the names on that team sheet today though I feel slightly better. Oisin, the two Macs, Francie, Cunningham,Short and some eejit called Cumiskey ( We could just about field 15 boys of the right age). I Think most of them won a medal or two in their time.

Did his brother emigrate to Canada?

He did Muppet, how do you know him?

Midman, you must have been a Craobh Ciaran man then, Middletown/Madden direction?  We played that game down in Granemore if I am not mistaken.

Was indeed and 15 points is probably me being generous to us. It was without a doubt the worst trouncing I was involved in, you normally only see scores like that at u-12s   That was some team.

On an completely unrelated note, Im a good mate of our then full forward , I think you and him might of been friendly enough at Queens

[Joe Umbrella (hey)]

Bye bye Francie

I will miss you!

[stew]

Peter Canavan will particularly remember him for the gift of 2 cracked ribs in the first half of the drawn 2005 Ulster Final with a closed fist tackle.

Thankfully despite Francies best efforts the Great was able to return to lead his county to the holy grail for the second time in 3 years.

Undoubtedly a very modest fella off the pitch tho.   Good luck to him and the game will be poorer for his absence.


At least he didnt wait until the bald wan was naked in the shower to kick lumps out of him, Gawd cant say the same.

[rrhf]

When all is said and done Gaelic football needs its panto villains and Francie played that role well in the most modest way.  For unwavering dermination to win the hard ball he was as good and brave as was on the field in the last 10 years.   He has had a great career and with Stephen O Neill back I fully understand his retirement.   

[mackers]

When all is said and done Gaelic football needs its panto villains and Francie played that role well in the most modest way.  For unwavering dermination to win the hard ball he was as good and brave as was on the field in the last 10 years.   He has had a great career and with Stephen O Neill back I fully understand his retirement.  

You may be right and who knows once Ciaran McKeever keeps O'Neill in his pocket again maybe Setvie will go back into retirement also!

[The Gs Man]

The only GAA player to have his own fansite!!   

[orangeman]

When all is said and done Gaelic football needs its panto villains and Francie played that role well in the most modest way.  For unwavering dermination to win the hard ball he was as good and brave as was on the field in the last 10 years.   He has had a great career and with Stephen O Neill back I fully understand his retirement.  

You may be right and who knows once Ciaran McKeever keeps O'Neill in his pocket again maybe Setvie will go back into retirement also!

To be honest, I'd rate Francie well ahead of Mc Keever - there's plenty of protection in the half back line and Francie was rarly beaten - yes Stephen O'Neill did give him a hard time in 2005 but you could count on one hand those frowards that did eclipse him. Mc Keever has a long way to go in my book to get up to Francie's reputation. Only my opinion of course and no offence to Mc Keever -

[David McKeown]

Lads,
  I'm not sure if I can handle all these plaudits about Francie, e.g. integrity, honesty, and I'm sure Francie might cringe a little if he read this too. As Winnie said, ask Mickey Linden about his honesty. I witnessed that and have to say I came away from that game in a daze also. Mickey Lindens' career finished that day, end of story. It was the worst thing I ever witnessed in any sport, ever. You cannot fault Francie's commitment and motivation, that was always 100% but there's a cynical streak underneath that rough exterior. And before anyone has a go at me remember, we (are supposed to) live in a democracy!

Not having a go but I was at the game and remember thinking at the time it was a great tackle, the ref must have thought so too.  That said I remember seeing a photo on here that blows that theory out of the water, does anyone still have that photo?

[ross matt]

People will remember Mickey Linden long after Francie and rightly so. Totally over rated. Novelty media value because he was so awkward and Spillane's "granny" comments at half time in the 02 AI. Cyncial and dirty. His hard man status was well tattered when Donaghy and Mattie Forde left him on fat arse before sticking the ball in the back of the net. Cleaned most days he went out. An obvious weak link that was targeted by most opposing sides.

[SidelineKick]

People will remember Mickey Linden long after Francie and rightly so. Totally over rated. Novelty media value because he was so awkward and Spillane's "granny" comments at half time in the 02 AI. Cyncial and dirty. His hard man status was well tattered when Donaghy and Mattie Forde left him on fat arse before sticking the ball in the back of the net. Cleaned most days he went out. An obvious weak link that was targeted by most opposing sides.

Jesus Mickey let it go 

[Croí na hÉireann]

The grannies of Ireland bid farewell to "speedster" Francie. No longer will he nip at their heels in breathless pursuit

Is that Spillane's granny, she looks like a match for Francie... 

[Mid Down Gael]

When did Ciaran McKeever get better of S ONeill? Ive yet to see anyone get the better of ONeill when fit. Unless McKeever used his negative tactics!!

[Gaffer]

One point the BBC always seem to show is in the Ulster Final '05, when Stevie scores a point and immediately afterwards Francie catches him with a shoulder.
Stevie gets up and shouts what appears to be "F@@@@@G EASY" into Francie's ear.
Classic stuff!!!

[Sandy Hill]

One point the BBC always seem to show is in the Ulster Final '05, when Stevie scores a point and immediately afterwards Francie catches him with a shoulder.
Stevie gets up and shouts what appears to be "F@@@@@G EASY" into Francie's ear.
Classic stuff!!!

Yea, really classic!

[mackers]

One point the BBC always seem to show is in the Ulster Final '05, when Stevie scores a point and immediately afterwards Francie catches him with a shoulder.
Stevie gets up and shouts what appears to be "F@@@@@G EASY" into Francie's ear.
Classic stuff!!!

Yea, really classic!

Seems to be accepted behaviour in Tyrone these days........says more about O'Neill than it does for Francie.