Well, which of them is/was the best. I think after yesterday Henry comes close but it's hard to say. Hard to forget the displays of Carey and the crowd chanting Dee-Jay, Dee-Jay and all them good days in Croker. Carey took a lot more stick on the field but I suppose there is not much between them.
Interesting discussion.
Will hope it is archived so I can remember to post on in about 5 years.
QuoteWill hope it is archived so I can remember to post on in about 5 years.
Can we elaborate a little please.
Call it looking back on the past or harking back to the good old days, but it has to be DJ for me. DJ could pick up the sliothar, take on 3/4 men and beat them on his own before scoring or passing to an opponent to take an easy score. DJ got a lot of treatment on the pitch but was able to ain a match on his own. There are still some who will say that he didn't produce on the big day but I'm not one of them.
As in all these things, it's hard and kind of unfair to make comparisons.
DJ didn't play on teams that were as good as this KK team when he started. Henry was born into a great team.
Both are geniuses. DJ shades it for me. Narrowly.
Funny-the same thought occurred to me last night watching the Sunday Game. Henry was magnificent yesterday although I enjoyed watching Nicky English more than either of them. Anyway at a push... DJ
There was something more romantic about the way DJ hurled. When he was on his game he was something else, but for me Henry shades it due to boring consistency over his entire career. DJ had a fair few bad performances on big days that I can recall.
Id say Henry takes as much abuse on the field but is better built to withstand it. Id say he is best i have seen.
Henry is the better all round hurler and score taker.
DJ was the better goal scorer.
King Henry for me, Henry is the complete package
Free taking - Henry
Point taking from play - Henry
Tacking - Henry
Strength/Power - Henry
Skill - Close call, possibly to close to call - even
Speed - DJ (Henry is no slouch but DJ had a serious burst of pace
Goal getting - DJ
Two great players
Quote from: EddieMerx on August 10, 2009, 06:50:12 PM
King Henry for me, Henry is the complete package
Free taking - Henry
Point taking from play - Henry
Tacking - Henry
Strength/Power - Henry
Skill - Close call, possibly to close to call - even
Speed - DJ (Henry is no slouch but DJ had a serious burst of pace
Goal getting - DJ
Two great players
Same as that!
Lads henry played in a much better team. DJ hurled for years on his own in an average kilkenny team carrying it on his back. So its not as cut and dried as some have it. Its a lot easier to be brilliant on the best team of all time. Its hard to call but that has to be taken into account.
Joe.
;)
DJ Carey
Henry.
Granted this kilkenny team are awesome but is there really the same competition about as there was back when DJ was knocking about? The Cork old guard are done, Galway still aren't at the races, Waterford still can't cut it and it remains to be seen what challenge Tipp can make if, as expected, they make the final in a few weeks time.
Quote from: orangeman on August 10, 2009, 04:51:20 PM
Call it looking back on the past or harking back to the good old days, but it has to be DJ for me. DJ could pick up the sliothar, take on 3/4 men and beat them on his own before scoring or passing to an opponent to take an easy score. DJ got a lot of treatment on the pitch but was able to ain a match on his own. There are still some who will say that he didn't produce on the big day but I'm not one of them.
As in all these things, it's hard and kind of unfair to make comparisons.
DJ didn't play on teams that were as good as this KK team when he started. Henry was born into a great team.
Both are geniuses. DJ shades it for me. Narrowly.
Have to agree with that. Henry is playing with the greatest team ever. In every position they are better than any other team.
Has to be DJ. I seen things i will never see again on the Hurling pitch. DJ was a Genius
Tis a good job they weren't both around at the same time :o
Quote from: 020304 Tir Eoghain on August 10, 2009, 11:45:07 PM
Tis a good job they weren't both around at the same time :o
Ehhhh, they were for six years. Shefflin was on the Kilkenny team in 1999 and DJ hurled up until 2005.
DJ would definitely have the edge in terms of pace and he was a greater goal threat than Shefflin. I would also give him an ever so slight advantage with regard to skill and touch. Henry is a more physichal player and has a better work ethic. He is also more versatile and he is a better free-taker. It's a tight call between them but I'd probably go with DJ by a short head!
There was no one like DJ to get goals however Henry is THE complete player. At the weekend against Waterford with a score of 1-14 he became the top scorer in the history of the Championship overtaking Eddie Keher. I loved DJ Carey but it has to be Shefflin for me.
Henry is able to win his own ball, something DJ struggled to do, but DJ had devastating pace and eye for the ball. Both have impeccible touches and vision to find team mates.
Splitting hairs but I'd go for Henry as he'd be harder for the opposition to bottle up.
Always thought Shefflin was better
Sorry BudWiser, just back to this now.
Elaboration ... as Henry is still playing I'd like his career to be complete prior to comparing him to DJ.
Nothing more.
Two of the greatest forwards ever seen and two of the greatest role models for any youngster!! Henry is a major driving force behind the success of this of this current crop...I have been fortunate enough to see some of their trainings and every time he was the first man out usually banging balls of the far wall at Kierans. While DJ's style got the crowds going, it's Henry who gets these current Cats motoring. No one has mentioned his long road back from the cruciate injury...to see him struggling through his runs during that rehab was hard to watch but must have been an inspiration to those around him...to see him back hurling to the standard that he was last Sunday after going through that is unreal...this is what makes Henry the greatest hurler that there ever was in my opinion.
Shefflin is the more complete player, but djs eye for goal was unreal still henry for me
DJ's teams were mostly not as good as the teams that Henry has played on, which may be the most complete team ever. DJ i think got more attention, it was if you stop DJ you stop LL, you cant say the same for HS teams, both all time greats but for me its DJ was slightly better
Neither I always thought Joacaim Kelly of Offaly was the greatest hurler of all time!
here's the stats.....
Henry Shefflin 21-361 (424pts) 47 games 1999-present 9.02
D.J. Carey 34-195 (297pts) 57 games 1989-2005 5.2
I always remember the buzz of antcipation when DJ got the ball, just don't have that with HS. Bit like comparing Seve and Tiger two different generations but for excitement alone not to mention his goals DJ gets the nod from me.
Both great forwards, but I think DJ got away with murder by referees. Jaysus he must have the highest steps per goal scored average in history :D.
I think DJ was the better predator type, but Henry is the more graceful. That point by DJ against Clare was one of the greatest I've seen though.
It's like saying do you prefer Jessica Alba or Jessica Simpson. It's all good.
Quote from: Dinny Breen on August 18, 2009, 02:31:43 PM
I always remember the buzz of antcipation when DJ got the ball, just don't have that with HS. Bit like comparing Seve and Tiger two different generations but for excitement alone not to mention his goals DJ gets the nod from me.
Henry would be Tiger Woods. Consistent, a great all rounder, wins more than anyone else.
DJ would be Seve. Not the complete player. A bit erratic from distance, but capable of chipping in from the bunker or behind the gallery to snatch the win.
QuoteThat point by DJ against Clare was one of the greatest I've seen though.
I think back then I said the same thing. I was seated right above hime that day ion the 21yd line of the Hogan but on reflection now I think it was one of the easiest points ever scored in Croke Park, the Clare man (Lynch?) was on his arse on the ground and DJ had nobody near him so he had all the time in the world to do it. Was still a good score though !!
Edit: A shag it, I am after watching it again and it wasn't as easy as I thought !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ318L-5Uy0&NR=1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ318L-5Uy0&NR=1)
I have remained undecided on this so far. My heart is with the Cats tomorrow but I think Tipp will win by a few points. There is only one thing that can stop Tipp and that will be a huge performance from Henry and if he scores 5 or six crucial points from play and the Cat's get the four in a row then I think Henry will be King for me.
Quote from: Bud Wiser on September 04, 2009, 03:36:04 PM
I have remained undecided on this so far. My heart is with the Cats tomorrow but I think Tipp will win by a few points. There is only one thing that can stop Tipp and that will be a huge performance from Henry and if he scores 5 or six crucial points from play and the Cat's get the four in a row then I think Henry will be King for me.
15 points on Sunday makes him KK's all time championship scorer, surpassing Keher's record of 429 points.
A great achievement but you can't compare his record with Eddie Keher's. There were a lot less games played in Keher's day.
Quote from: Lecale2 on September 04, 2009, 04:55:42 PM
A great achievement but you can't compare his record with Eddie Keher's. There were a lot less games played in Keher's day.
Keher got his 429 points from 50 games.
Shefflin has got 415 points from 48 games.
Quote from: orangeman on September 04, 2009, 04:35:20 PM
Quote from: Bud Wiser on September 04, 2009, 03:36:04 PM
I have remained undecided on this so far. My heart is with the Cats tomorrow but I think Tipp will win by a few points. There is only one thing that can stop Tipp and that will be a huge performance from Henry and if he scores 5 or six crucial points from play and the Cat's get the four in a row then I think Henry will be King for me.
15 points on Sunday makes him KK's all time championship scorer, surpassing Keher's record of 429 points.
Dont think he'll do it this Sunday OM. Tipp will have a plan for Henry, but i think the cats will get their
scores from other areas.
QuoteTipp will have a plan for Henry,
They will fall on their own sword if they think a plan for Henry will work. Davy Fitz thought the same plan, nullify Tommy Walsh and Henry and things would work out. I was going through this at 5am this morning and I just can't wait for this game to start. As you say, any one of the Cats can turn it on, on the day. One game it is Gorta, next Henry, Brennan, etc. I think Henry will be the main man today, he is well up for it according to an article he subscribed to on Thursday.
Can't wait. Come on the Cat's !
(http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Humor/Cats/CatInPool.jpg)
Quote from: Lecale2 on September 04, 2009, 04:55:42 PM
A great achievement but you can't compare his record with Eddie Keher's. There were a lot less games played in Keher's day.
Dont forget Keher played quite a few 80 minute games back in the day.
Quote from: 020304 Tir Eoghain on September 05, 2009, 02:02:55 AM
Quote from: orangeman on September 04, 2009, 04:35:20 PM
Quote from: Bud Wiser on September 04, 2009, 03:36:04 PM
I have remained undecided on this so far. My heart is with the Cats tomorrow but I think Tipp will win by a few points. There is only one thing that can stop Tipp and that will be a huge performance from Henry and if he scores 5 or six crucial points from play and the Cat's get the four in a row then I think Henry will be King for me.
15 points on Sunday makes him KK's all time championship scorer, surpassing Keher's record of 429 points.
Dont think he'll do it this Sunday OM. Tipp will have a plan for Henry, but i think the cats will get their
scores from other areas.
Henry was well marshalled - in fact, he had a poor day compared to his usual very high standards. But cometh the hour, cometh the man and he stepped up to the free after Tommy Walsh got sent off and fired it over, followed by an unstoppable penalty.
Only 4 points away from the record.
Quote from: orangeman on September 06, 2009, 08:53:12 PM
Quote from: 020304 Tir Eoghain on September 05, 2009, 02:02:55 AM
Quote from: orangeman on September 04, 2009, 04:35:20 PM
Quote from: Bud Wiser on September 04, 2009, 03:36:04 PM
I have remained undecided on this so far. My heart is with the Cats tomorrow but I think Tipp will win by a few points. There is only one thing that can stop Tipp and that will be a huge performance from Henry and if he scores 5 or six crucial points from play and the Cat's get the four in a row then I think Henry will be King for me.
15 points on Sunday makes him KK's all time championship scorer, surpassing Keher's record of 429 points.
Dont think he'll do it this Sunday OM. Tipp will have a plan for Henry, but i think the cats will get their
scores from other areas.
Henry was well marshalled - in fact, he had a poor day compared to his usual very high standards. But cometh the hour, cometh the man and he stepped up to the free after Tommy Walsh got sent off and fired it over, followed by an unstoppable penalty.
Only 4 points away from the record.
Tommy Walsh wasn't sent off ???
Apologies - typo. ;)
Jesus but DJ is losing the hair very badly.
That black helmet covered up a lot.
Henry wasn't well marshalled, to me he was out played by Maher would had a great game on him. Henry had to be moved off him in the second half.
To me DJ was outstanding and lets not forget Larkin, Fitzpatrick, Brennan, Comerford and the likes are all fabulous hurlers (all as good or better than Henry) and as someone else said before, DJ never had that support around him. DJ won many games for Kilkenny, games they never had a right to win, only for the greatness of DJ they won. Henry never had to take such responsibility on his own.
Quote from: hardstation on September 07, 2009, 12:48:15 AM
Quote from: shaneo on September 07, 2009, 12:41:06 AM
Henry wasn't well marshalled, to me he was out played by Maher would had a great game on him. Henry had to be moved off him in the second half.
To me DJ was outstanding and lets not forget Larkin, Fitzpatrick, Brennan, Comerford and the likes are all fabulous hurlers (all as good or better than Henry) and as someone else said before, DJ never had that support around him. DJ won many games for Kilkenny, games they never had a right to win, only for the greatness of DJ they won. Henry never had to take such responsibility on his own.
That's balls. Eamon Morrisey, John Power, Liam McCarthy, PJ Delany, Alan Ronan, Charlie Carter, Eddie Brennan and Henry Shefflin were just some of the forwards that played along with DJ.
Yep and most of them wouldn't make the current Kilkenny team. Only Morrrisey would.
DJ didn't have the best forwards playing with him in my view of that era- or anywhere like it. Eamon Morrissey was the only other top class forward on those kilkenny teams. You obviously don't know your hurling from that era very well.
Quote from: Galwaybhoy on August 11, 2009, 02:31:43 PM
There was no one like DJ to get goals however Henry is THE complete player. At the weekend against Waterford with a score of 1-14 he became the top scorer in the history of the Championship overtaking Eddie Keher. I loved DJ Carey but it has to be Shefflin for me.
Mmm looks like I was wrong on this. Damn Wikipedia not a reliable source after all. ;D
Quote from: INDIANA on September 07, 2009, 10:21:04 AM
DJ didn't have the best forwards playing with him in my view of that era- or anywhere like it. Eamon Morrissey was the only other top class forward on those kilkenny teams. You obviously don't know your hurling from that era very well.
If you think John Power was not top class you are deluding yourself. John power was the archetypal Cody forward, never stopped tackling and ran himself into the ground. I would defintly have him above Comerford at CHF on my fantasy Cats team of the last 30 years. Comerford may score more goals but Power was a much better leader for the team. By the way DJ also overlapped with the tail end of Liam Fennellys career and he could hurl a bit too!
John Power was a legend in a KK jersey. No doubt about it. Hard, brave man who could hurl with the best of them. When we think of this KK team, some people might baulk at the idea of mentioning Power when comparing this present day team. But as usual it's impossible to compare Power's team and this team given that it's a fair while ago.
Quote from: Lecale2 on September 04, 2009, 04:55:42 PM
A great achievement but you can't compare his record with Eddie Keher's. There were a lot less games played in Keher's day.
There were 80 minute games in some of Keher's years too....
Quote from: gallsman on September 08, 2009, 12:34:31 AM
Quote from: Lecale2 on September 04, 2009, 04:55:42 PM
A great achievement but you can't compare his record with Eddie Keher's. There were a lot less games played in Keher's day.
There were 80 minute games in some of Keher's years too....
I see someone beat me to it!
For anyone born in the late 80s like myself, Carey was a hurling god. The black helmet, the faded green ash-guard, the blinding pace. He could turn on a sixpence and had the greatest wrists I've ever seen. His handball skills were so evident in his distribution- something you an see in Richie Hogan as well. I remember watching the quarter-final against Galway in Thurles in 1997. It was the first year the back door was brought in and a relatively poor Kilkenny team were being walloped by-half time. DJ went out and won the bloody thing for them, scoring 2-8 if I remember correctly.The year he came back in 2002 and got the All-Star after only playing the semi-final and final was incredible, epitomised by the score in the final. It was a very tired and finished Baker he left on his arse by the way Bud!
I'm aware I haven't answered the question and I don't intend to wither :)
Quote from: slow corner back on September 07, 2009, 09:23:38 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on September 07, 2009, 10:21:04 AM
DJ didn't have the best forwards playing with him in my view of that era- or anywhere like it. Eamon Morrissey was the only other top class forward on those kilkenny teams. You obviously don't know your hurling from that era very well.
If you think John Power was not top class you are deluding yourself. John power was the archetypal Cody forward, never stopped tackling and ran himself into the ground. I would defintly have him above Comerford at CHF on my fantasy Cats team of the last 30 years. Comerford may score more goals but Power was a much better leader for the team. By the way DJ also overlapped with the tail end of Liam Fennellys career and he could hurl a bit too!
Entitled to your opinion but I'd have Comerford ahead, better scoring record.
Henry is more useful to a team as he is bigger and can play is various positions, but D.J. is the best person ive ever saw with a hurl
Just to put things in perspective Henry scored 1 point from play on sunday out of a Kilkenny total of 2-22. Now the frees and penalty are important but he is probably not indispensable to Kilkenny at this stage. He really is Mr over rated on the Kilkenny team, an excellent player but still over rated. Joe canning will put Henrys career in its proper place over the next few years, a better player than Henry ever was already.
I think it would be true to say that Henry was the key member of the best ever Kilkenny team over the last decade but not the best hurler I have ever seen, from play or from the placed ball, DJ and Canning have him beaten on those levels.
Quote from: Capt Pat on September 08, 2009, 11:45:17 PM
Just to put things in perspective Henry scored 1 point from play on sunday out of a Kilkenny total of 2-22. Now the frees and penalty are important but he is probably not indispensable to Kilkenny at this stage. He really is Mr over rated on the Kilkenny team, an excellent player but still over rated. Joe canning will put Henrys career in its proper place over the next few years, a better player than Henry ever was already.
I think it would be true to say that Henry was the key member of the best ever Kilkenny team over the last decade but not the best hurler I have ever seen, from play or from the placed ball, DJ and Canning have him beaten on those levels.
Bit premature with raising Joe to those dizzy heights I think. Long tem will tell the tale alright.
Over rated ? Don't think so. Ok he wasn't hectic on Sunday but over rated ? Na.
Quote from: Capt Pat on September 08, 2009, 11:45:17 PM
Mr over rated on the Kilkenny team, an excellent player but still over rated. Joe canning will put Henrys career in its proper place over the next few years, a better player than Henry ever was already.
I think it would be true to say that Henry was the key member of the best ever Kilkenny team over the last decade but not the best hurler I have ever seen, from play or from the placed ball, DJ and Canning have him beaten on those levels.
So if we take the best parts of different palyer and add them together then of course you would get a better player. We are dealing in the real world here where it is one players ability versus another. Joe Canning is a very fine player but it is very soon to be saying he is the greates ever and DJ for me simply hasn't as good an all round game as Henry
Quote from: EddieMerx on September 09, 2009, 09:46:45 AM
Quote from: Capt Pat on September 08, 2009, 11:45:17 PM
Mr over rated on the Kilkenny team, an excellent player but still over rated. Joe canning will put Henrys career in its proper place over the next few years, a better player than Henry ever was already.
I think it would be true to say that Henry was the key member of the best ever Kilkenny team over the last decade but not the best hurler I have ever seen, from play or from the placed ball, DJ and Canning have him beaten on those levels.
So if we take the best parts of different palyer and add them together then of course you would get a better player. We are dealing in the real world here where it is one players ability versus another. Joe Canning is a very fine player but it is very soon to be saying he is the greates ever and DJ for me simply hasn't as good an all round game as Henry
I think the people who say DJ hadn't got an alll-round game must honestly have never seen him play.
Toss up for me, but DJ spent a lot of time carrying and playing with very average kilkenny teams. Henry has played with some of the best kilkenny hurlers of all time.
Very hard to judge in my view.
Can we add a poll to this thread please and let us vote on it ?
Quote from: INDIANA on September 09, 2009, 10:04:37 AM
I think the people who say DJ hadn't got an alll-round game must honestly have never seen him play.
Toss up for me, but DJ spent a lot of time carrying and playing with very average kilkenny teams. Henry has played with some of the best kilkenny hurlers of all time.
Very hard to judge in my view.
Indy I have seen DJ on many occasions and even hurled against Henry (who may I say was not Joe Canning or DJ in his early days) DJ was a very fine player but I suppose it comes down to opinion on this one. To Me Henry ticks a few more boxes than DJ which just gives him the edge.
Henry - Defensive, Size, Free Taking, Points scoring ability is better than DJ
DJ - Speed, Goal getting is better than Henry
If I were a Coach then Henry for me! also DJ did have some very fine forwards with him on the KK team so don't make out like he was playing with Carlow, you are also forgetting that DJ played in an era where defences were a little bit slower than todays defenders so speed was a major asset.
I don't agree at all. For example One of the finest displays ever was given by DJ in An-Ireland quarter final vs Galway. Playing on a very average kilkenny team he scored about 2-9 and was kicked from pillar to post for the whole game. I'm not sure Henry would have coped as well on an average team. There was far more liberal timber handed out in DJ's time as well. Nowadays with all the cameras its a rarity.
Perhaps from 1994 to 1997 you'll point out the other top class forwards he played with on a consistent basis. Only Power really. Denis Byrne got injured. Charlie Carter was very much in and out, Morrissey was largely gone at that point. It was only when the likes of Henry came through he got any real help.
That very average Kilkenny side was up against Offaly and Wexford who were good back then, that very average KK side would walk Leinster through the 2000's. It is simply a question of taste and values when comparing such fine hurlers, you prefer DJ and I prefer Henry
I don't actually prefer either. I don't think its possible to compare players from different eras. I mean was Keher better thna DJ and Henry. Most kilkenny observers think he was. Again impossible to say in my view. You can only compare players from the same era really.
Quote from: INDIANA on September 09, 2009, 11:05:41 AM
I don't actually prefer either. I don't think its possible to compare players from different eras. I mean was Keher better thna DJ and Henry. Most kilkenny observers think he was. Again impossible to say in my view. You can only compare players from the same era really.
[/b]
That's the most important consideration. We can only hold an opinion. Making direct comparisons is impossible.
Quote from: INDIANA on September 09, 2009, 11:05:41 AM
I don't actually prefer either. I don't think its possible to compare players from different eras. I mean was Keher better thna DJ and Henry. Most kilkenny observers think he was. Again impossible to say in my view. You can only compare players from the same era really.
Good point but you have said you think DJ was better
Each generation has its own truly magnificient players and it is not possible to determine which one is better than the other due to the continued development of the game. I just enjoy and marvel at the ability of all these exceptional players as they come along and do not nor will not compare one to the other. I also admire the grafter that makes the exceptional player and he should never be forgotten
dj was lightening fast. so he scored loads of goals. he didn't score many points from play. that is a major weakness in my view for a forward.
henry is a better player all round. more points from play, as well as a good goal-getter/goal assister. i think if you asked master cody (the best placed judge) who he would want in his side, i think we all know king henry would be the first name down on his team sheet.
Quote from: achtungantrim on September 10, 2009, 03:36:09 PM
dj was lightening fast. so he scored loads of goals. he didn't score many points from play. that is a major weakness in my view for a forward.
henry is a better player all round. more points from play, as well as a good goal-getter/goal assister. i think if you asked master cody (the best placed judge) who he would want in his side, i think we all know king henry would be the first name down on his team sheet.
Sure I'm sure cody will tell us on the 28th
A Kilkenny man and meself were discussing this d'other day and he told me that somewhere along the line when Henry came on the scene first and DJ handed over most of the free taking to him that DJ said himself that Henry would be better than himself. The Drive for Five may well prove that beyond doubt whatever about now.
DJ (by a whisker)
DJ did things that nobody else could do, over head flicks, unbelievably long and straight hand passes, and more of an eye for goal to take on defences and get goals against the odds
Henry does things that other players can do, only Henry does them far better than average. Also as the game has evolved yet again Henry is fitter than The DJ.
and when DJ was playing Kilkenny were not so far ahead of the chasing pack as they are now, DJ carried Kilkenny for many years and played in a lot closer fought games.
I go for Henry. DJ was more eye catching and more spectacular but Henry is a relentless scoring machine who has already achieved more. As someone said previously - if I was a manager I'd pick Henry first. 2 amazing hurlers tho - the 2 best I have seen.
For spectators to watch... DJ
For a manager to pick... Henry.
Henry without a doubt.
DJ's patchy AIF displays have imo been glossed over too readily imo. He improved his AIF displays a tad towards the end of his career.
I must be in a minority of one in thinking that DJ (while a very good hurler) was overrated. Joe Cooney for example was imo way better than DJ.
Truth be told, Shefflin's star has been understandably waning for a while ( freetaking excepted) and Tommy Walsh imo will eclipse them both very shortly. A real hurler's hurler.
Joe Cooney was a phenomenal club hurler and a great county hurler until 1990, but after his heroic display in the All Ireland final of 1990 he never looked fit or fast enough at county level and never had the same impact on the championship thereafter. I agree that he was one of the most skillful hurlers ever but DJ surely had a higher ratio of good performances at inter county championship level. Granted Cooney was on some sh!te galway teams that only played one game per year.
Up until very recently my bias against DJ would make me choose Henry as the better player; however, in a fit of revisionism, I may be slowly changing my mind. Henry IMHO is starting to show signs of DJ-itis * and if you take one yardstick that both of them may be measured by, Joe Canning, then DJ has produced performances closer to what JC has produced in games than what Henry has. While Henry is a better playmaker, (though nowhere nearly as good as JC), DJ was a great scorer, esp. of goals, at least as good as JC. It's one way of comparing them perhaps.
*DJ-itis - the overpraising of a very talented player who often has often given quiet displays on the biggest occasion.