Everyone has an opinion -
First up,
Jack Mc Caffrey
Lee Keegan
Tomas O Se
Feck me thats a tough one!
I've tried to post 3 times and got a different answer!
Keegan
MCaffrey
O'Shea
Tomas O Se top for me but there's much in it tbh.
I can't decide between the other 2 at all.
Too hard. Next
Quote from: clonian on December 17, 2025, 09:52:30 AMTomas O Se top for me but there's much in it tbh.
I can't decide between the other 2 at all.
Yeah could have it in any order and not be dead wrong tbh
Mccaffrey but Tomas a very close second.
Quote from: clonian on December 17, 2025, 09:52:30 AMTomas O Se top for me but there's much in it tbh.
I can't decide between the other 2 at all.
Keegan was basically brilliant at everything his tussles with Connolly in his prime will stick long in the memory. The fact was never able to get Mayo over the line in an AI final may potentially go against him.
McCaffrey was electric going forward, but maybe didn't have the longevity of the other two guys.
O'Se 5 all irelands, 5 all stars hard argue with.
Interesting debate with no real right or wrong answer.
Quote from: statto on December 17, 2025, 10:45:20 AMQuote from: clonian on December 17, 2025, 09:52:30 AMTomas O Se top for me but there's much in it tbh.
I can't decide between the other 2 at all.
Keegan was basically brilliant at everything his tussles with Connolly in his prime will stick long in the memory. The fact was never able to get Mayo over the line in an AI final may potentially go against him.
McCaffrey was electric going forward, but maybe didn't have the longevity of the other two guys.
O'Se 5 all irelands, 5 all stars hard argue with.
Interesting debate with no real right or wrong answer.
Yeah thats true but going by the post if we're talking about them in their prime longevity wouldn't really factor in, well at least thats how I took it.
Quote from: RedHand88 on December 17, 2025, 10:32:36 AMMccaffrey but Tomas a very close second.
Mccaffrey better at his peak that year or 2 he was unplayable, but Tomas had a more consistent career.
Phillip Jordan?
Keegan for me.
Logic is, would McKaffrey and O'Se have done as well in that Mayo team as Keegan did?
I don't think they would.
Drop Keegan into the Dublin/Kerry sides I think he'd have stood out as being better than the other two.
Quote from: statto on December 17, 2025, 10:45:20 AMQuote from: clonian on December 17, 2025, 09:52:30 AMTomas O Se top for me but there's much in it tbh.
I can't decide between the other 2 at all.
Keegan was basically brilliant at everything his tussles with Connolly in his prime will stick long in the memory. The fact was never able to get Mayo over the line in an AI final may potentially go against him.
McCaffrey was electric going forward, but maybe didn't have the longevity of the other two guys.
O'Se 5 all irelands, 5 all stars hard argue with.
Interesting debate with no real right or wrong answer.
Yeah - it's a good mix. O'Se is just one of my favourite players so I put him on top but you couldn't make a definite case for one over the other 2.
Probably comes down to who was against your teams at the time. Down weren't in the mix against any of them unfortunately.
Is Keegan for me. Brilliant player and hardly to blame that Mayo didn't win an All Ireland. To get 5 All Stars and never win an All Ireland speaks volumes for the calibre of player he was. Probly most All Stars for a player with no All Ireland medal?
Quote from: Goals_Will_Come on December 17, 2025, 01:22:48 PMPhillip Jordan?
I was going to add Phillip Jordan as I think he was as good as any but didn't want to bring my Tyrone bias too early.
For me though, watching Jack mc Caffrey in full flight was electrifying.
The goal vs Kerry in the 2019 final was pure class
Quote from: In hiding on December 17, 2025, 02:04:10 PMQuote from: Goals_Will_Come on December 17, 2025, 01:22:48 PMPhillip Jordan?
I was going to add Phillip Jordan as I think he was as good as any but didn't want to bring my Tyrone bias too early.
For me though, watching Jack mc Caffrey in full flight was electrifying.
The goal vs Kerry in the 2019 final was pure class
100% Phillip Jordan should be in this conversation. Was as good as any. In the 2000s it was widely accepted the two best wing backs were O'Se and Jordan and the debate then was who was better. So if you are debating O'Se with Keegan and McCaffrey you also need to debate Jordan with Keegan and McCaffrey.
Quote from: Goals_Will_Come on December 17, 2025, 02:09:13 PMQuote from: In hiding on December 17, 2025, 02:04:10 PMQuote from: Goals_Will_Come on December 17, 2025, 01:22:48 PMPhillip Jordan?
I was going to add Phillip Jordan as I think he was as good as any but didn't want to bring my Tyrone bias too early.
For me though, watching Jack mc Caffrey in full flight was electrifying.
The goal vs Kerry in the 2019 final was pure class
100% Phillip Jordan should be in this conversation. Was as good as any. In the 2000s it was widely accepted the two best wing backs were O'Se and Jordan and the debate then was who was better. So if you are debating O'Se with Keegan and McCaffrey you also need to debate Jordan with Keegan and McCaffrey.
There are plenty of others you could add, Paul Curran and Martin O Connell especially but we'll start with the 3 mentioned to keep it handy
1. Tomas O'Se
2. Phillip Jordan
3. Lee Keegan
4. Jack McCaffrey
1. Lee Keegan
2. Jack McCaffrey
3. Tomás O'Sé
All brilliant players of course and not easy choosing.
It's Lee Keegan and by a distance for me; the best defender in the history of the game.
James McCarthy the only one who'd match him in the halfback line.
That's not dismissing McCaffrey, Jordan or O'Se by the way. Fabulous, brilliant players.
Keegan and McCarthy (Cluxton and Clifford) is where I'd start the best team I've ever seen.
Brilliant idea for a thread In hiding, be great to do a few over the Christmas period
Quote from: In hiding on December 17, 2025, 02:18:07 PMQuote from: Goals_Will_Come on December 17, 2025, 02:09:13 PMQuote from: In hiding on December 17, 2025, 02:04:10 PMQuote from: Goals_Will_Come on December 17, 2025, 01:22:48 PMPhillip Jordan?
I was going to add Phillip Jordan as I think he was as good as any but didn't want to bring my Tyrone bias too early.
For me though, watching Jack mc Caffrey in full flight was electrifying.
The goal vs Kerry in the 2019 final was pure class
100% Phillip Jordan should be in this conversation. Was as good as any. In the 2000s it was widely accepted the two best wing backs were O'Se and Jordan and the debate then was who was better. So if you are debating O'Se with Keegan and McCaffrey you also need to debate Jordan with Keegan and McCaffrey.
There are plenty of others you could add, Paul Curran and Martin O Connell especially but we'll start with the 3 mentioned to keep it handy
also
Paul Currans name also jumped to mind when I read this
Keegan for me too. Probably wouldn't have heard of the other two if they'd been competing for the same spot on a team as Keegan.
Jordan not worthy of a mention in this company, but James McCarthy definitely is.
Quote from: Champion The Wonder Horse on December 17, 2025, 04:25:58 PMKeegan for me too. Probably wouldn't have heard of the other two if they'd been competing for the same spot on a team as Keegan.
Jordan not worthy of a mention in this company, but James McCarthy definitely is.
I don't think there has been a team that have played that a prime Mc Caffrey or O Se would not get on
Keegan just ahead of the other two for me. Never played Minor for Mayo but then developed into outstanding senior footballer an example to any teen who currently thinks they can't or won't make the cut at senior level.
Keegan at his prime marked the opposition best forwards out of the game. His scoring ability for defender was highly impressive with 67 championship appearances scoring 7-48 (69)
Jack McCaffery pace to burn if one was to name the top five players on Dublins 6 in a row team he would be on it. Like Keegan another good scorer for a defender including 1-3 in 2019 All-Ireland final
Tomas O'Se another superb defender with a good eye for a score 5 All Ireland medals, 5 All stars and was the footballer of the year in 2009.
Quote from: Blowitupref on December 17, 2025, 05:35:52 PMKeegan just ahead of the other two for me. Never played Minor for Mayo but then developed into outstanding senior footballer an example to any teen who currently thinks they can't or won't make the cut at senior level.
Keegan at his prime marked the opposition best forwards out of the game. His scoring ability for defender was highly impressive with 67 championship appearances scoring 7-48 (69)
Jack McCaffery pace to burn if one was to name the top five players on Dublins 6 in a row team he would be on it. Like Keegan another good scorer for a defender including 1-3 in 2019 All-Ireland final
Tomas O'Se another superb defender with a good eye for a score 5 All Ireland medals, 5 All stars and was the footballer of the year in 2009.
Not sure you can say that if he wasn't there for two of them.
Jordan not close to the level of the three named, which is no slight on him at all.
Quote from: gallsman on December 17, 2025, 08:20:25 PMQuote from: Blowitupref on December 17, 2025, 05:35:52 PMKeegan just ahead of the other two for me. Never played Minor for Mayo but then developed into outstanding senior footballer an example to any teen who currently thinks they can't or won't make the cut at senior level.
Keegan at his prime marked the opposition best forwards out of the game. His scoring ability for defender was highly impressive with 67 championship appearances scoring 7-48 (69)
Jack McCaffery pace to burn if one was to name the top five players on Dublins 6 in a row team he would be on it. Like Keegan another good scorer for a defender including 1-3 in 2019 All-Ireland final
Tomas O'Se another superb defender with a good eye for a score 5 All Ireland medals, 5 All stars and was the footballer of the year in 2009.
Not sure you can say that if he wasn't there for two of them.
Jordan not close to the level of the three named, which is no slight on him at all.
Two he missed was the truly forgettable 2020 covid winter championship and 2016 which along with the 1996 All-Ireland final is where Mayo probably have most regrets about.
Four of the top five players from Dublins 6 in a row teams IMO would be Stephen Cluxton,James McCarthy,Jack McCaffery,Brian Fenton a 5th I'd have to think it over a bit longer and pick between a handful of other players.
Keegan for me.
Jordan a close second. He never made a mistake, and his marker never got the better of him, apart from his last game.
Quote from: In hiding on December 17, 2025, 09:01:23 AMEveryone has an opinion -
First up,
Jack Mc Caffrey
Lee Keegan
Tomas O Se
1. Lee Keegan
2. Jack McCaffery
3. Tomas O'Se
Spot the Tyrone posters who are unable to stick to the topic of thread.
Aaron Kernan a far better call than Philip Jordan.
Ah Jesus that's done it now
40 pages 🤭
Great thread.
I am gonna go
McCaffrey
O'Se
Keegan.
Ask me tomorrow and the answer may well be different its that close. As good as Jordan was, and he was very good, he doesnt crack the top 3 with the other players named. IMO
Quote from: Blowitupref on December 17, 2025, 09:14:29 PMQuote from: gallsman on December 17, 2025, 08:20:25 PMQuote from: Blowitupref on December 17, 2025, 05:35:52 PMKeegan just ahead of the other two for me. Never played Minor for Mayo but then developed into outstanding senior footballer an example to any teen who currently thinks they can't or won't make the cut at senior level.
Keegan at his prime marked the opposition best forwards out of the game. His scoring ability for defender was highly impressive with 67 championship appearances scoring 7-48 (69)
Jack McCaffery pace to burn if one was to name the top five players on Dublins 6 in a row team he would be on it. Like Keegan another good scorer for a defender including 1-3 in 2019 All-Ireland final
Tomas O'Se another superb defender with a good eye for a score 5 All Ireland medals, 5 All stars and was the footballer of the year in 2009.
Not sure you can say that if he wasn't there for two of them.
Jordan not close to the level of the three named, which is no slight on him at all.
Two he missed was the truly forgettable 2020 covid winter championship and 2016 which along with the 1996 All-Ireland final is where Mayo probably have most regrets about.
Four of the top five players from Dublins 6 in a row teams IMO would be Stephen Cluxton,James McCarthy,Jack McCaffery,Brian Fenton a 5th I'd have to think it over a bit longer and pick between a handful of other players.
Well if you're talking about the highest levels hit it's got to be Connolly, obviously wasn't there as much as he could have been. (Not to derail the thread)
New day, a new bit of tribalism -
in your opinion, rank the below 1 to 4
Padraic Joyce
Diarmuid Connelly
Stephen Mc Donnell
Stephen O Neill
As a few men posted previously, these comparisons are based on these footballers on their best day.
Who did you enjoy watching the most ?
Feck sake. Tough again.
1. Stephen McDonell (bias but don't give a shite)
2. Connolly
3. Joyce
4. Stephen O'Neill
All unbelievable talents on their day and absolutely unstoppable.
O'Neill by a good bit
Connolly
McDonnell
Joyce
Stephen O'Neill top by quite a bit on that one.
Too hard. Next
Connolly
ONeill
McDonnell
Joyce
as with above that could change tomorrow
Connolly
ONeill
McDonnell
Joyce
Connolly just had that bit of unorthodox brilliance about him and you never really knew what to expect. A tie between O'Neill/McDonnell, both fantastic footballers. Joyce one of the best I've ever seen at stealing 10 yards on a free kick.
1. Keegan
2. O'Se
3. McCaffrey
The first trio of players were all orthodox half backs...easier to compare.
The next set of players less so! You've two inside forwards in O'Neill and McDonnell and two half forwards in Connolly and Joyce.
For me I'd say:
1. O'Neill
2. Connolly
3. McDonnell
4. Joyce
A great thread and interesting to see how it evolves.
If I may suggest a future trio...3 top class centre forwards.
Declan O'Sullivan
Brian McGuigan
Trevor Giles
Quote from: tbrick18 on December 18, 2025, 11:47:14 AMConnolly
ONeill
McDonnell
Joyce
Connolly just had that bit of unorthodox brilliance about him and you never really knew what to expect. A tie between O'Neill/McDonnell, both fantastic footballers. Joyce one of the best I've ever seen at stealing 10 yards on a free kick.
Oneill by quite a bit.
The man was unmarkable, had strength and was probably the best 2 footed player I have ever seen.
Look up some of his ridiculous points on youtube. No one comes close to them.
One of the primary functions of GAABoard is in full flow on this thread:
Regardless of how highly someone might rate any given footballer, Tyrone-based posters must unanimously and vociferously rate one of their own as a better player.
Quote from: thewobbler on December 18, 2025, 12:31:13 PMOne of the primary functions of GAABoard is in full flow on this thread:
Regardless of how highly someone might rate any given footballer, Tyrone-based posters must unanimously and vociferously rate one of their own as a better player.
Well obviously.
Just to add that Connolly and definitely McDonnell were very two footed as well.
I absolutely loved Stevie from Killeavy, and he deservedly won FOTY and was let down by some subpar performances from teammates over the years, but he never had the magical genius that O'Neill or Connolly had. O'Neill, Connolly, McDonnell in that order for me, with the margins razor thin. Joyce behind those three by a wider margin.
Quote from: tyrone08 on December 18, 2025, 12:27:31 PMOneill by quite a bit.
The man was unmarkable, had strength and was probably the best 2 footed player I have ever seen.
Look up some of his ridiculous points on youtube. No one comes close to them.
I've put O'Neill ahead of him, but Connolly was objectively (yes!) a better two footed player.
Quote from: gallsman on December 18, 2025, 12:43:35 PMI absolutely loved Stevie from Killeavy, and he deservedly won FOTY and was let down by some subpar performances from teammates over the years, but he never had the magical genius that O'Neill or Connolly had. O'Neill, Connolly, McDonnell in that order for me, with the margins razor thin. Joyce behind those three by a wider margin.
He'd 2 snipers for feet alright.
Only for injury his team mate Ronan Clarke would have been as good as any.
Quote from: tyrone08 on December 18, 2025, 12:27:31 PMQuote from: tbrick18 on December 18, 2025, 11:47:14 AMConnolly
ONeill
McDonnell
Joyce
Connolly just had that bit of unorthodox brilliance about him and you never really knew what to expect. A tie between O'Neill/McDonnell, both fantastic footballers. Joyce one of the best I've ever seen at stealing 10 yards on a free kick.
Oneill by quite a bit.
The man was unmarkable, had strength and was probably the best 2 footed player I have ever seen.
Look up some of his ridiculous points on youtube. No one comes close to them.
can do the same for Connolly
Quote from: In hiding on December 18, 2025, 09:16:13 AMNew day, a new bit of tribalism -
in your opinion, rank the below 1 to 4
Padraic Joyce
Diarmuid Connelly
Stephen Mc Donnell
Stephen O Neill
As a few men posted previously, these comparisons are based on these footballers on their best day.
Who did you enjoy watching the most ?
It's hard to enjoy watching rival/neighbouring counties playing well as good as they may be at that time.
Stephen O'Neill probably the best player for me followed closely by Stevie from Kileavy. Connolly was more enjoyable to watch for the reason above and also his battles with Keegan were brilliant.
Quote from: tyrone08 on December 18, 2025, 12:27:31 PMQuote from: tbrick18 on December 18, 2025, 11:47:14 AMConnolly
ONeill
McDonnell
Joyce
Connolly just had that bit of unorthodox brilliance about him and you never really knew what to expect. A tie between O'Neill/McDonnell, both fantastic footballers. Joyce one of the best I've ever seen at stealing 10 yards on a free kick.
Oneill by quite a bit.
The man was unmarkable, had strength and was probably the best 2 footed player I have ever seen.
Look up some of his ridiculous points on youtube. No one comes close to them.
I would argue Connolly definetly was a better two footed player and McDonnell was as good off either side. O'Neill was a fantastic footballer but don't ever remember thinking he's some right peg on him.
I would go McCaffrey in the first one. Keegan the best all round but McCaffrey was the fastest player I've seen in GAA and he would terrify teams in the right. Think Gavin cautious approach probably limited his impact and he wasn't the same after ACL. Keegan 2nd, O'Se 3rd.
In the second one I would go with McDonnell top. He was a phenomenal ball winner, would be different with the game today as not as much direct ball but his ability in the air and how he could anticipate and body defenders was unmatched. A lethal finisher too. O'Neill second, just had so much class to his game, strong, 2 footed and had that type of maverick quality. Joyce 3rd a real leader and score getter for Galway over the years, was a classy player but didn't have some of the scores O'Neill had in his locker. Connolly 4th, the most naturally gifted and complete of the lot but his discipline and decision making could make him very unreliable.
Quote from: thewobbler on December 18, 2025, 12:31:13 PMOne of the primary functions of GAABoard is in full flow on this thread:
Regardless of how highly someone might rate any given footballer, Tyrone-based posters must unanimously and vociferously rate one of their own as a better player.
And you'll always be here to make such posts and keep the good people of the board informed.
Quote from: The Bearded One on December 18, 2025, 12:05:13 PMThe first trio of players were all orthodox half backs...easier to compare.
The next set of players less so! You've two inside forwards in O'Neill and McDonnell and two half forwards in Connolly and Joyce.
For me I'd say:
1. O'Neill
2. Connolly
3. McDonnell
4. Joyce
A great thread and interesting to see how it evolves.
If I may suggest a future trio...3 top class centre forwards.
Declan O'Sullivan
Brian McGuigan
Trevor Giles
In this one, McGuigan, again, by a distance.
Not sure that I'm well, that's two bush men in a row.
Quote from: trueblue1234 on December 18, 2025, 02:13:33 PMQuote from: thewobbler on December 18, 2025, 12:31:13 PMOne of the primary functions of GAABoard is in full flow on this thread:
Regardless of how highly someone might rate any given footballer, Tyrone-based posters must unanimously and vociferously rate one of their own as a better player.
And you'll always be here to make such posts and keep the good people of the board informed.
He's right in this instance. "By quite a bit" getting thrown around a lot by a few Tyonies. Rubbish.
Quote from: gallsman on December 18, 2025, 02:28:20 PMQuote from: trueblue1234 on December 18, 2025, 02:13:33 PMQuote from: thewobbler on December 18, 2025, 12:31:13 PMOne of the primary functions of GAABoard is in full flow on this thread:
Regardless of how highly someone might rate any given footballer, Tyrone-based posters must unanimously and vociferously rate one of their own as a better player.
And you'll always be here to make such posts and keep the good people of the board informed.
He's right in this instance. "By quite a bit" getting thrown around a lot by a few Tyonies. Rubbish.
Yeah fair enough if you pick him number one but not a chance is it by "quite a bit"
4 unreal players
Quote from: gallsman on December 18, 2025, 02:28:20 PMQuote from: trueblue1234 on December 18, 2025, 02:13:33 PMQuote from: thewobbler on December 18, 2025, 12:31:13 PMOne of the primary functions of GAABoard is in full flow on this thread:
Regardless of how highly someone might rate any given footballer, Tyrone-based posters must unanimously and vociferously rate one of their own as a better player.
And you'll always be here to make such posts and keep the good people of the board informed.
He's right in this instance. "By quite a bit" getting thrown around a lot by a few Tyonies. Rubbish.
You do know that the Wonder Horse isn't a Tyrone man ??
For me, Connolly is number 1.
Again, like Mc Cafffrey, there was a buzz every time he got on the ball.
O Neill, a genius also, kicking points in Croke Park from the right corner with his 'weaker' right foot.
Mc Donnell and Joyce also incredible footballers but Connolly for me
Imagine how much more he could have done if Keegan wasn't constantly trying to remove his jersey
Quote from: In hiding on December 18, 2025, 02:48:07 PMYou do know that the Wonder Horse isn't a Tyrone man ??
You do know tyrone08 is ??
Quote from: gallsman on December 18, 2025, 02:56:09 PMQuote from: In hiding on December 18, 2025, 02:48:07 PMYou do know that the Wonder Horse isn't a Tyrone man ??
You do know tyrone08 is ??
You'll always get the odd one ;)
Quote from: gallsman on December 18, 2025, 02:28:20 PMQuote from: trueblue1234 on December 18, 2025, 02:13:33 PMQuote from: thewobbler on December 18, 2025, 12:31:13 PMOne of the primary functions of GAABoard is in full flow on this thread:
Regardless of how highly someone might rate any given footballer, Tyrone-based posters must unanimously and vociferously rate one of their own as a better player.
And you'll always be here to make such posts and keep the good people of the board informed.
He's right in this instance. "By quite a bit" getting thrown around a lot by a few Tyonies. Rubbish.
There's a fair amount of Tyrone posters on the board. With exception of Armagh, I'd say no other county comes close. We all have our own county bias. As an opinion piece, I'd say people should be entitled to their own. Make your point and move on. Bit precious telling people what their opinion should be. But Wobbler has form there.
The music threads a lot friendlier than this one 😝
Quote from: quit yo jibbajabba on December 18, 2025, 09:34:37 PMThe music threads a lot friendlier than this one 😝
Tommy Makem better than Hugo Duncan or Philomena Begley. By some distance.
Quote from: In hiding on December 18, 2025, 02:51:24 PMFor me, Connolly is number 1.
Again, like Mc Cafffrey, there was a buzz every time he got on the ball.
O Neill, a genius also, kicking points in Croke Park from the right corner with his 'weaker' right foot.
Mc Donnell and Joyce also incredible footballers but Connolly for me
Imagine how much more he could have done if Keegan wasn't constantly trying to remove his jersey
Connolly was a maverick footballer any of those left nowadays? He went against the grain on what Jim Gavin generally wanted in his robotic like teams.
Connolly would destroy any poorly organised team however could be marked out of games with the right match up such as Lee Keegan.
Mc Donnell,Joyce,O Neill could also be well marked at times though were still able to step up with telling contributions.
For me
McDonnell
O Neill
Joyce
Connolly
O'Neill
McDonnell
Joyce
Connolly
Do I recall Chrissy McKaigue destroying Connolly in an All Ireland club semi-final?. McKaigue held him scoreless and from CHB scored 4 points ..
Re these 4, it's a really interesting discussion.
I don't think Galway - as talented as they were - could have won an AI without their spearhead in Joyce.
Tyrone needed O'Neill so often, but won a couple of AI finals with him at half mast.
Connolly is, as previously described, the maverick of the group and being a few years younger had the misfortune of running into prime Lee Keegan in most his big games.
McDonnell was one of the best players I've seen for consistency, but perhaps in part due to Armagh's tactical approach during his peak years, might have needed the perfect foil (Ronan Clarke) to see out the bigger games.
So I'm going Joyce at 1, and a joint second place for the other 3.
Quote from: Champion The Wonder Horse on December 18, 2025, 09:41:50 PMQuote from: quit yo jibbajabba on December 18, 2025, 09:34:37 PMThe music threads a lot friendlier than this one 😝
Tommy Makem better than Hugo Duncan or Philomena Begley. By some distance.
Ah jees don't slag Philomena they'll be after yer blood champion 😝
Quote from: The Bearded One on December 18, 2025, 12:05:13 PMThe first trio of players were all orthodox half backs...easier to compare.
The next set of players less so! You've two inside forwards in O'Neill and McDonnell and two half forwards in Connolly and Joyce.
For me I'd say:
1. O'Neill
2. Connolly
3. McDonnell
4. Joyce
A great thread and interesting to see how it evolves.
If I may suggest a future trio...3 top class centre forwards.
Declan O'Sullivan
Brian McGuigan
Trevor Giles
Good shout so we'll go with these today.
I add in a couple more to make it a bit more difficult.
Declan O Sullivan
Brian Mc Guigan
Trevor Giles
Paudie Clifford
Ciaran Kilkenny
Quote from: In hiding on December 19, 2025, 09:11:13 AMQuote from: The Bearded One on December 18, 2025, 12:05:13 PMThe first trio of players were all orthodox half backs...easier to compare.
The next set of players less so! You've two inside forwards in O'Neill and McDonnell and two half forwards in Connolly and Joyce.
For me I'd say:
1. O'Neill
2. Connolly
3. McDonnell
4. Joyce
A great thread and interesting to see how it evolves.
If I may suggest a future trio...3 top class centre forwards.
Declan O'Sullivan
Brian McGuigan
Trevor Giles
Good shout so we'll go with these today.
I add in a couple more to make it a bit more difficult.
Declan O Sullivan
Brian Mc Guigan
Trevor Giles
Paudie Clifford
Ciaran Kilkenny
McGuigan
Giles
O'Sullivan
Clifford
Kilkenny
Quote from: Armagh18 on December 18, 2025, 09:27:37 AMFeck sake. Tough again.
1. Stephen McDonell (bias but don't give a shite)
2. Connolly
3. Joyce
4. Stephen O'Neill
All unbelievable talents on their day and absolutely unstoppable.
Joyce
McDonnell
O'Neill
Connolly
Quote from: In hiding on December 19, 2025, 09:11:13 AMQuote from: The Bearded One on December 18, 2025, 12:05:13 PMThe first trio of players were all orthodox half backs...easier to compare.
The next set of players less so! You've two inside forwards in O'Neill and McDonnell and two half forwards in Connolly and Joyce.
For me I'd say:
1. O'Neill
2. Connolly
3. McDonnell
4. Joyce
A great thread and interesting to see how it evolves.
If I may suggest a future trio...3 top class centre forwards.
Declan O'Sullivan
Brian McGuigan
Trevor Giles
Good shout so we'll go with these today.
I add in a couple more to make it a bit more difficult.
Declan O Sullivan
Brian Mc Guigan
Trevor Giles
Paudie Clifford
Ciaran Kilkenny
Giles
McGuigan
Kilkenny
Clifford
O'Sull with the long arm.
Tompkins was probably better center forward that any of them men mentioned!
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on December 19, 2025, 10:09:29 PMTompkins was probqbly better center forward that any of them men mentioned!
The first professional GAA player..
2 sets of forwards and Ciaran MacDonald not mentioned yet. Hang your heads
Quote from: bennydorano on December 19, 2025, 10:18:37 PM2 sets of forwards and Ciaran MacDonald not mentioned yet. Hang your heads
He's gonna be under Mavericks. Gonna be epic
Quote from: bennydorano on December 19, 2025, 10:18:37 PM2 sets of forwards and Ciaran MacDonald not mentioned yet. Hang your heads
McGuigan
Giles
O'Sullivan
Clifford
Kilkenny
All 5 were better playmakers than McDonald.
Nobody in the history of the game could kick the ball as high or arcing as Kieran.
Difference is that those 5 all know it looks good, but produces little.
Quote from: thewobbler on December 19, 2025, 11:50:43 PMQuote from: bennydorano on December 19, 2025, 10:18:37 PM2 sets of forwards and Ciaran MacDonald not mentioned yet. Hang your heads
McGuigan
Giles
O'Sullivan
Clifford
Kilkenny
All 5 were better playmakers than McDonald.
Nobody in the history of the game could kick the ball as high or arcing as Kieran.
Difference is that those 5 all know it looks good, but produces little.
Like cutting your jersey to the shoulders
I cant help but remember all the frees McDonald missed against Kerry in 1997.
The Mayo supporters used to give McDonald dogs abuse when he was playing, and once he retired he was elevated into superstar status.
McDonald was plagued with inconsistency in his early years. As well as that he was in and out of Mayo panels, on mentally weak teams and utilised poorly by various managers.
He was also a free soul which meant that he could mix moments of pure magic with pure madness.
But when he was on song - Jez, he was great to watch.
Hairstyles, flashy boots and tattoos left him open to scrutiny in a GAA world that was still conservative about players showing individuality.
Quote from: From the Bunker on December 20, 2025, 10:16:29 AMMcDonald was plagued with inconsistency in his early years. As well as that he was in and out of Mayo panels, on mentally weak teams and utilised poorly by various managers.
He was also a free soul which meant that he could mix moments of pure magic with pure madness.
But when he was on song - Jez, he was great to watch.
Hairstyles, flashy boots and tattoos left him open to scrutiny in a GAA world that was still conservative about players showing individuality.
Started off all Joe brolly.
Ended up nice 😄
So to rate the 5.
Much as at annoys me that Tyronnies overrate their players, Brian McGuigan is probably my favourite footballer ever (apart from David Clifford). His peak years coincided with the best era of football ever seen - better conditioned, smarter and more ruthless than their predecessors, but not robotic - and he was the high conductor of the best team I've ever watched.
Paudie Clifford comes next and he will likely overtake McGuigan in the coming years. He was clearly more gifted than the rest during the defensive implosion of our game. Then, what he did this season, in the knockout games was many level above. A rare combination of athleticism and genius. He's extraordinary.
Kilkenny for me should have been the best player of all time. He's perfect. But he's so perfect that he always put winning over winning with distinction. And that's a paradox. I've seen him do the most exceptional things but my overarching memory of him is playing it safe. It's a shame. I don't want him to be Kieran McDonald and all style over substance. But all my life I've been waiting for the game where he just shows off.
Giles and O'Sullivan are joint 4th. Both were a joy to watch. Energy, intelligence, will to win. But they're not quite at the level of the lads above. It's small margins, but it's all time greats against generational greats and something has to give.
Ciarán McDonald
https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1kvJpApNNOZxE
Quote from: thewobbler on December 19, 2025, 11:50:43 PMQuote from: bennydorano on December 19, 2025, 10:18:37 PM2 sets of forwards and Ciaran MacDonald not mentioned yet. Hang your heads
McGuigan
Giles
O'Sullivan
Clifford
Kilkenny
All 5 were better playmakers than McDonald.
Nobody in the history of the game could kick the ball as high or arcing as Kieran.
Difference is that those 5 all know it looks good, but produces little.
Jeez , he did Far more than that, doing him a disservice there , you didnt watch him play many matches live if you think thats all he did.
I'd have MacDonald, Greg Blayney and even Shorty Treanor in any top 5 CHF/creative forward. Nothing like recency bias to skew perception.
Quote from: bennydorano on December 21, 2025, 01:15:26 PMI'd have MacDonald, Greg Blayney and even Shorty Treanor in any top 5 CHF/creative forward. Nothing like recency bias to skew perception.
Shorty Treanor was a superstar at club level with a great Burren team.
I don't think he really reached that level for Down
He broke my Armagh heart on a few occasions
Blaney number 1 for me
McGuigan
Clifford
Giles
O'Sullivan
Kilkenny
Quote from: ardtole on December 20, 2025, 09:16:38 AMThe Mayo supporters used to give McDonald dogs abuse when he was playing, and once he retired he was elevated into superstar status.
Exactly. There was absolutely loads of them who wanted him dropped right throughout his tenure because he kept giving the ball away to a ridiculous degree. Now with the passage of time and the help of silky clips on YouTube he's talked about as one of the greats?
He won one solitary all star and was actually quite lucky to get the one he did.
Fantastically talented player but so very flawed. I suspect he'd be a lot better now with modern coaching.
Someone above mentioned all the missed frees in the 97 finals. In addition to that he had the biggest nightmare of an all Ireland final basically ever in 06. He got the ball 9 times in the second half and lost it 9 times, a combination of wides, disposessesions and misplaced passes. That's unprecedented.
All there easily accessible on YouTube but takes a bit longer than watching one of the odd long frees with the outside of the left that sails over