James Nallen

[IolarCoisCuain]

As a neutral, I see no reason why any of gallsman's four are in any way more deserving of the 'legend' title than Nallen.  In fact, I'd rate Nallen higher than any of them - and that's no disrespect to any of them; fine sportsmen to a man.

Tony Browne was deemed the hurler of the year in 1998, in a very good Waterford team that was never going to win an All-Ireland. Over the following ten years he shone in a team that was filled with average or slightly better than average players alongside their 4/5 top class hurlers and was consistently amongst the best midfielders/wing backs in the country.

I don't consider commending a man for fifteen years service faint praise in the slightest. For his service, I have nothing but admiration for James Nallen. I admire his consistency, his dedication and his devotion to both football and his county.

However, this thread started with it being mentioned that the word "legend" is "bandied about" too often these days when applied to our national sports. I would throw James Nallen, despite his numerous admirable qualities, into this bracket.

Another way to judge a player and his "legendary" status is to consider how he fares against the best of his contemporaries to play the same position. In Nallen's case these players would be McGeeney and Moynihan. Do I think he compares favourably to either of them when it comes to talent and ability? No, I don't.

Normally I apologise when I offend people Iolar, but in these circumstances I don't think I will, as I simply don't agree with you.

I've no problem with that Gallsman. You're entitled to your opinion and it'd be a dull old world if we all thought the same. To say nothing of a middling quiet discussion board.

And not only that, but the two points you make, the Tony Browne one and the comparison with Nallen's contemporaries at six are both valid ones. I don't argee with Indiana about McGeeney - I thought he was a legend too.

I suppose Gallsman that's what at the point of our discussion is the original post about how often the word "legend" is bandied about. Muscles Magoo thought it was bandied about too much. I don't think it's bandied about half enough. I don't begrudge any of these lads their claps on the back, and I hope they keep on coming. Matter of taste, as you say.

[rosnarun]

Nallen to me is the truist of legends in all my years i watched him at club and county never saw him hit a dirty blow, throw a hissy fit back chat a ref , dive ,taunt an opponent , try to stir up a crowd after a score or any  the other Ills that prevade the present game.
As a 'county man' he hardly ever missed a match Tournament  league or champion ship for Cross indeed he was often seen at midweek training.
Six Connacht titles, a national league crown, four All-Ireland final appearances .an All-Star and an Irish international.
And Many Many league and Championship sucess with Deel rovers including winning the all ireland club championship a club that had won only one county championship before he started playing for them.
A former medal  winning student while holding down the CHB spot for club county college and province. Nallen is a top class role model for all aspiring county players and a gentleman to match unlike me so ill say it
f**k the Begrudgers

[macdanger2]

Sad to see Heaney & Nallen go, especially without the cross, not many come as close and don't win one....

Any idea why both have decided to move to Claregalway? Who's managing them now?

Nallen is a legend in Mayo without a doubt. Nationally, probably not.But if you were to pick a team of the last 15 years, he'd be up for consideration for the CHB spot. Personally I'd put him marginally ahead of McGeeney but behind Moynihan.

Best of luck to them both and thanks for all the good days

[Lar Naparka]

Nallen to me is the truist of legends in all my years i watched him at club and county never saw him hit a dirty blow, throw a hissy fit back chat a ref , dive ,taunt an opponent , try to stir up a crowd after a score or any  the other Ills that prevade the present game.
As a 'county man' he hardly ever missed a match Tournament  league or champion ship for Cross indeed he was often seen at midweek training.
Six Connacht titles, a national league crown, four All-Ireland final appearances .an All-Star and an Irish international.
And Many Many league and Championship sucess with Deel rovers including winning the all ireland club championship a club that had won only one county championship before he started playing for them.
A former medal  winning student while holding down the CHB spot for club county college and province. Nallen is a top class role model for all aspiring county players and a gentleman to match unlike me so ill say it
f**k the Begrudgers

Fair play to you, ros. I'd agree with the lot; especially the last line.

[Dangleberrys]

Nallen to me is the truist of legends in all my years i watched him at club and county never saw him hit a dirty blow, throw a hissy fit back chat a ref , dive ,taunt an opponent , try to stir up a crowd after a score or any  the other Ills that prevade the present game.
As a 'county man' he hardly ever missed a match Tournament  league or champion ship for Cross indeed he was often seen at midweek training.
Six Connacht titles, a national league crown, four All-Ireland final appearances .an All-Star and an Irish international.
And Many Many league and Championship sucess with Deel rovers including winning the all ireland club championship a club that had won only one county championship before he started playing for them.
A former medal  winning student while holding down the CHB spot for club county college and province. Nallen is a top class role model for all aspiring county players and a gentleman to match unlike me so ill say it
f**k the Begrudgers

Nice one....this year will have very few players from the 90's, tis a shame to see them go, but onwards and upwards eh!?

[The flame still burns]

A tribute to the great man's career and that of David Heaney. So long lads

http://thereisalightthatnevergoesout.wordpress.com/

[Lar Naparka]

A tribute to the great man's career and that of David Heaney. So long lads

http://thereisalightthatnevergoesout.wordpress.com/

That's a superb piece.
It's obvious you were writing from the heart- in the same way James and David played their football.

IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

Sean Boylan may have beaten me to the punch but Rudyard's Kipling's definition of Manhood applies to our pair of legends. I'd imagine Sean, another legend, wouldn't dispute that.
I wouldn't let the views of others bother me too much, if I were you.
True greatness can't be measured in terms of medal won – or by comparisons with others either.  I wouldn't mind if every country was up to its collective oxters with its number of true legends.
I think you have defined the essence of true greatness.
For far too long, Mayo teams have been taunted with references to the white feather.
The pair of lads never showed the white feather to anyone at any time. For them, a white feather was stuck to the butt end of a goose.
For those who dispute this, I'll direct them to the last sentence of rosnarun's last post.

[The flame still burns]

A tribute to the great man's career and that of David Heaney. So long lads

http://thereisalightthatnevergoesout.wordpress.com/

That's a superb piece.
It's obvious you were writing from the heart- in the same way James and David played their football.

IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

Sean Boylan may have beaten me to the punch but Rudyard's Kipling's definition of Manhood applies to our pair of legends. I'd imagine Sean, another legend, wouldn't dispute that.
I wouldn't let the views of others bother me too much, if I were you.
True greatness can't be measured in terms of medal won – or by comparisons with others either.  I wouldn't mind if every country was up to its collective oxters with its number of true legends.
I think you have defined the essence of true greatness.
For far too long, Mayo teams have been taunted with references to the white feather.
The pair of lads never showed the white feather to anyone at any time. For them, a white feather was stuck to the butt end of a goose.
For those who dispute this, I'll direct them to the last sentence of rosnarun's last post.

Stirring stuff Lar. Thanks. That Kipling verse is the greatest piece of poetry I have ever read. I've always maintained that.

James and David are men who made me proud to be from Mayo.

[muppet]

Maybe I am alone but I am really tired of hearing that Kipling verse. There is only so often you can hear something and Sean Boylan's ad has flogged it to death for me.

[RedandGreenSniper]

Maith on fear, Flame. Good piece.

[ballinaman]

Maybe I am alone but I am really tired of hearing that Kipling verse. There is only so often you can hear something and Sean Boylan's ad has flogged it to death for me.

+1

[Farrandeelin]

Maybe I am alone but I am really tired of hearing that Kipling verse. There is only so often you can hear something and Sean Boylan's ad has flogged it to death for me.

Don't worry when the championship comes arpund, it will be given plenty of airtime again I suspect.

[turk]

Best wishes to James and Dave on their retirement for Inter county. Both = super players

[macdanger2]

Has Heaney retired at all?? It looks from this piece as though he has transferred to Claregalway and won't be playing this year but hasn't quite hung up the towel yet....

http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8768:nallen-retires-as-heaney-transfers&catid=14&Itemid=100008

[venter]

Has Heaney retired at all?? It looks from this piece as though he has transferred to Claregalway and won't be playing this year but hasn't quite hung up the towel yet....

http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8768:nallen-retires-as-heaney-transfers&catid=14&Itemid=100008

Yeah, both have retired from the intercounty scene. They were on the off the ball show on newstalk on wednesday Feb 3 discussing thier careers with Mayo. Dave Heaney said that he felt he didnt have the extra gear he needed in the games against Tyrone and Meath over the last couple of years. He also said that he felt that he would only be keeping a young fella off the team.

Jimmy said that the reward was in the playing ( he didnt get much game time in 2009) and that he knew when he left the bench in croker after the meath game it would be his last time there as a player.

Both came across very well