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Football Championship 2026 - 4 Like(s)
Can I take this opportunity to congratulate hlynch12 for winning the All Ireland Hide and Seek championship. Haven't seen him from Sunday.
Saynothing (National) - 30/07/2026 16:02:39
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David Clifford The Goat - 3 Like(s)
Replying To eoinog: "Football is constantly evolving and there is always new footballers coming along taking their place on the Pinnacle of the ladder. Some brilliant players were unable to stay on top of their game due to distractions and I am sure you can all name at least 10 to 15 that fall into that category. Matt Connor was a brilliant, brilliant player and due to the sad way his career finished people definitely look at him through Rose tinted glasses. In the All Ireland final of 82 he didn't have a particularly good game and only scored one solitary point from play. Yet Clifford scores 1.6 last Sunday from play and people say where was he in the second half?
Clifford will never get enough recognition for what he is doing while he is still playing football. He will need to be retired 10 or 15 years before his greatness will be appreciated. I don't believe there is any such thing as a GOAT. Just appreciate every good footballer and enjoy the entertainment they provide." Thats actually a very good post Eoin.
I agree with all of your scribe.Impossible to say who is best ever .Its different eras and most of us never saw alot of older players.Also maybe defenders were better or worse in days gone by.However forwards did have only one marker years back whereas the likes of David nearly all have two marking him.
In the 2021 Munster championship v Cork there were 3 men on Clifford nearly non stop.One each side of him and one in front.They did blot him out but the rest of the Kerry forwards had a field day free and Kerry won by 22 points.
You are correct abour Matt Connor.One of my favourite players ever and top class but scored little from play in his two finals.
In this era David has shown his credentials but still wont get his deserved kudos from some but cest la vie.
CiarraiMick (National) - 30/07/2026 12:08:31
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David Clifford The Goat - 3 Like(s)
Replying To CiarraiMick: "A few posters here dont like to give David full credit.If he was nt from Kerry maybe they would say different.
Most people that call him the goat are from outside Kerry.Most of us hate hearing that and I believe he hates it himself.
The facts are that David Clifford is a fantastic footballer.Well as Barney says he plays on a mediocre team.Can you imagine if he played on a great team.
Begrudges say ah he s good but Ive seen better.
David is the second top scorer in championship history and he is only 27.
Cillian O Connor is top.However most of Davids scores are from.play.
David has played in 6 All Ireland finals and I believe is the highest scorer ever from play in finals.
He has constantly been brilliant.One of his great displays was against Tyrone in 21 semi and he got injured for extra time.
He has scored at will in huge games against top teams.
Every game he plays the opposition have a plan for him and nearly always two men on him and often 3.
Ive seen great players in the past like Matt Connor Declan Browne but they were marked man to man.
David was a superhuman minor and is the highest scoring minor of all time.
As a senior he has been outstanding and his scoring is off the charts.
As Paul Flynn has said a few times "David Clifford can score 1-9 in a game and wont get motm cos he is judged by different standards.
Onr of the greatest of all time was Peter Canavan and Peter reckons he has never seen the likes of David.
A Dublin poster last year claimed David has never done it on the big days.Thats a laugh.
Its jealousy in my view and most of it comes from.the same area.Tbf old posters like Realdub always spoke highly of David.
David always delivers..He had a quiet day in 23 but still scored 3 points and set up a fab goal and 3 more points. Diarmiid Connlolly (a class player) did nt score in 4 finals.ComO Callaghan did nt score in 23 final.
Many great players have had bad days but David nearly always shines.
Hoganstand forum wont judge David s legacy.History will and it will be very kind to him." Firstly commiserations Mick. By all accounts the Kerry fans were very magmanimous in defeat and that's one of the things that made the aftermath in Croke PARK so special to witness. I can guess that you were the first to shake your neighbours hand and wish them well.
As for DC - Unfortunately he is measured by a different yardstick and that may seem unfair. He is an incredible talent and without doubt he is the best I have seen. Power, balance, athleticism, vision and accuracy all combined in one devastating package. I would pay no heed to the begrudgers. Anybody who cannot see how good he is just does't understand or appreciate football.
Anyway, hope you are well. Sunday was a magical day in many ways and Kerry were part of that- albeit not in the way you may have wanted. Anyway, Kerry will be marching up the Hogan again in the not too distant future.
avonali (National) - 29/07/2026 20:29:13
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Football Championship 2026 - 3 Like(s)
Its very clear now a good club campaign can mess up your county campaign- Paul Geaney, Tom o sullivan, brian ó beaglaoich all barely played this year for Kerry. Dylan geaney looked tired near the end. The st bridgits lads barely played for Roscommon Ben o carroll, Brian Stack, Shane Cunnane. Rory beggan had his first ever injury in a monaghan jersey after a good year with scotstown. Conor mc carthy back real late for monaghan.
The year before the two canavans the two of the lads have barely featured for tyrone since then struggling with injurys. Con o callaghan has been suffereing with injurys ever since his good club run in 2024/2025
Farneyarmy2013 (National) - 30/07/2026 11:37:46
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David Clifford The Goat - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Fionn: "Also a club game for a non senior club.
You are not comparing like with like.
Con has won a Senior All Ireland Club winners medal in Both codes.
Different gravy." Well let's compare like for like.
The general consensus was that both Clifford and Con had "quiet" games in their semi final a couple of weeks. Agreed?
Con returned 0-2(tp) while Clifford notched 1-5.
peiledoir20 (National) - 29/07/2026 22:13:37
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David Clifford The Goat - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Seanfan: "101 points from play from 98 shots in the Championship (s).
Not bad" That stat is insane if true.
Seniorleague (National) - 29/07/2026 22:20:07
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Galway Football thread - 3 Like(s)
Best of luck to the Galway ladies at the weekend! A Connacht double!!!
Mayonmylifetime (National) - 29/07/2026 23:34:58
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Roscommon GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Forget about the past and look to the future as you have the potential! Beating Galway, Mayo or both should not be the sum of all your ambitions! Thank you to the many Roscommon posts for their good wishes. Maigh Eo go brath.
Mayonmylifetime (National) - 29/07/2026 23:43:20
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David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Fionn: "Look everyone is going to be defensive and protective of their own county and club, and players from their own county and club. It is only natural.
For me the King Con is better than King David.
And Prince Kobe has the potential to be better than both.
My personal view on rating how good a player is his ability, skill, scoring, creativity, defensive attributes, team work and workrate.
For me overall Con is better.
Add to that what Con has achieved in Both codes.
Phenomenal.
DC is one of the best forwards of all time.
Better than Con in the scoring charts for sure.
But the GOAT - nope.
Maybe I am biased but that is my opinion." I think your dislike of Kerry is tainting your vision a little Fionn.Con is a great player but nearly every former great and pundits from outside Kerry reckon young Clifford is the best they seen and all say he is the best right now by a country mile.He has done things that even Dermo could nt do.Speaking of Dermo.Dermo thinks same and I think Dermo was better than Con.Young Cliffords scoring is off the charts.
brayballer (National) - 30/07/2026 11:16:48
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David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
Replying To TheUsername: "Id honestly prefer 6 scoring forwards playing with variance then doing what Kerry do or what Clifford brings.
As nice as it is to watch and as good as he is at it, its telegraphed and one dimensional on a team, over all i think its undermining.
From that point of view i wouldn't have him in the conversation.
Good player though." So because the other kerry forwards don't contribute enough, that means Clifford is not one of the best?
Ok im sure that sounds logical to you?!!!
richiepmurphy (National) - 30/07/2026 11:07:10
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David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
Replying To brayballer: "Who is so Fionn? I have nt seen a better baller.I wish he was a Dub.I ve me him and he is a sound bloke.Most of the great reckon he is the best and hard to argue with it.Barney hit nail on head,Kerry without the brothers Clifford are very ordinary.
I went to see him in a club match a few years ago with a Kerry mate and I thought I was seen things magical.Met him after the game after he spent about an hour signing jersey and doin selfies.A different man off the pitch and a big man.Very friendly and down to earth." Look everyone is going to be defensive and protective of their own county and club, and players from their own county and club. It is only natural.
For me the King Con is better than King David.
And Prince Kobe has the potential to be better than both.
My personal view on rating how good a player is his ability, skill, scoring, creativity, defensive attributes, team work and workrate.
For me overall Con is better.
Add to that what Con has achieved in Both codes.
Phenomenal.
DC is one of the best forwards of all time.
Better than Con in the scoring charts for sure.
But the GOAT - nope.
Maybe I am biased but that is my opinion.
Fionn (National) - 29/07/2026 19:27:41
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David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
In last years final David Clifford scored 9 points from play, and still didn't get motm. There's never been a player b4, or will be in the future who put up such a crazy score in an all Ireland final but didn't get motm.
Canavan got 11 or 12 in 1995 but only one of those were from play.
The Dublin poster questioning his workrate is nitpicking, every player has their strength and weaknesses. Jack o Connor doesn't want his marquee forward out around the 65 .
As it happens he actually won the last kick out against Tyrone when kerry were under pressure.
richiepmurphy (National) - 30/07/2026 12:40:14
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David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
Replying To brayballer: "I think your dislike of Kerry is tainting your vision a little Fionn.Con is a great player but nearly every former great and pundits from outside Kerry reckon young Clifford is the best they seen and all say he is the best right now by a country mile.He has done things that even Dermo could nt do.Speaking of Dermo.Dermo thinks same and I think Dermo was better than Con.Young Cliffords scoring is off the charts." Clifford has incredible atheticsm etc. but I think what makes him stand out is his temperament. Take his goal on Sunday. Look at the array of skills need to execute that.- strength, power speed balance etc. Think of his ability with 2 pointers. But his greatest asset is his mental toughness and I think its this quality that separates him from the others. Has any single player in the history of IC football made such a contribution to his team? I'm not saying that Kerrynis a one man team but without Clifford they are undoubtedly a less fearsome prospect. I'll say it again: he is the best I've seen
avonali (National) - 30/07/2026 12:52:07
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David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
Replying To eoinog: "Football is constantly evolving and there is always new footballers coming along taking their place on the Pinnacle of the ladder. Some brilliant players were unable to stay on top of their game due to distractions and I am sure you can all name at least 10 to 15 that fall into that category. Matt Connor was a brilliant, brilliant player and due to the sad way his career finished people definitely look at him through Rose tinted glasses. In the All Ireland final of 82 he didn't have a particularly good game and only scored one solitary point from play. Yet Clifford scores 1.6 last Sunday from play and people say where was he in the second half?
Clifford will never get enough recognition for what he is doing while he is still playing football. He will need to be retired 10 or 15 years before his greatness will be appreciated. I don't believe there is any such thing as a GOAT. Just appreciate every good footballer and enjoy the entertainment they provide." But a lot of those players didn't play in the Advanced Mark or 2 point era - so everything in context,
He's a very good player. But someone was comparing eras the other day - since Dublins decline there really isn't any great teams in this era - a lot of Kerry people have said in the last few days that this isn't a great Kerry team and they have prob been apart from Dublin the most consistent this decade in terms of AI wins.
Sure headline will be David scores 1. Something in a game. But Kerry look for him constantly and that costs something and takes something for others. If you can contain him or limit him, even rub him out of phases of the game you can have your way with Kerry.
If you look at the semis and finals Kerry have been involved in and lost this has been evident. His ability can be a great gift and curse for the rest of the team at times brought to bare.
He is also very lucky with referees and can be ill disciplined -I'll also say that.
TheUsername (National) - 30/07/2026 14:46:48
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Donegal GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
I'd encourage against reading too much into the All Ireland final in terms of innovation or tactics. For me, Mayo played how all good Mayo teams over the last 15 years have (and in fairness to Mayo as a county, how many bad years have they really had? Most counties would be happy with what they had as bad years in that run). Mayo have always backed themselves man to man when you look back to the days of Higgins and Barrett, and credit to their backs both on Sunday and throughout the year they brought that same culture again. My point being that it isn't necessarily new.
And even if it were new - everything had to go exactly right for Mayo, including Kerry playing below their potential. At the end of the day, it was a one score victory and they were under immense pressure for the last 10 mins. If we were still in the old days pre hooter, you would have to think they would have succumbed. None of this is to make light of their achievements; they were roundly written off against a team with terrifying talents. Hats off.
I don't think for Donegal much needs to change going in to next year. A lot is said of us dwelling in possession and I agree with it, but I think it's something you're just going to have to live with when teams know how good you are going forward. Like it or not we are going to find ourselves having to work around the arc for most of next year as we have this year also. Where I think there is true scope for change is to add a bit of decisiveness on the counter. It's one thing if teams filter back and force you to adopt a possession heavy style, but too often we sign up for it ourselves. We force a turnover and the first thought is to turn back and build slow. This for me is what emboldened Cork and Dublin in particular - when you turn us over after 3 minutes of possession, that's as good as a score. And that's before they rocket down to the far end and tack over a two of their own.
I don't think there will be a paradigm shift in tactical approach in light of mayo's success nor do I think there should be. The emphasis should be on minor adjustments rather than wholesale change.
Heading into next year, I think we can expect to see a lift in level from Shea Malone, Sean Martin and all of the Four Masters prodigies now that they have a senior intercounty season under the belts. Might I add also that the loss of Diarmuid O Connor for Kerry on Sunday is reminiscent to me of the loss of Ciaran Thompson for us throughout the year. He is Mr Reliable. Well able either fielding or sniffing the breaking ball and he's a notorious two point threat. If he gets back anywhere near his pre injury levels this is a serious string to have in the bow.
Don't be booking the Croke Park hotel for next July on the back of what I have to say, but to be honest folks I'll be resisting all of the doom and gloom talk as we come into the winter
papa_pump (National) - 29/07/2026 21:31:25
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Galway Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Mayonmylifetime: "Best of luck to the Galway ladies at the weekend! A Connacht double!!!" Thanks for the good wishes. Mayo did Connacht proud and to beat Kerry in AI final is some achievement. I'm sure your stylish play and overall positivity will help all west of Ireland teams into the future. We can now dream too. Enjoy the celebrations
Really (National) - 30/07/2026 13:28:14
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Mayo GAA Thread - 1 Like(s)
Sincere congrats to our neighbours. As deep as the rivalry is, I take my hat off, that was exceptional. We can learn a lot from ye!
You played football the way it was meant to be played - fearless, stylish, determined.
Nothing exemplified this more than ROD - what a warrior. He looked like a man possessed running around Croker
I'm delighted for the people of Mayo - we all have many relations across the border and to see how much this means to them brings a tear to my eye, a very proud football county
I'm already looking forward to Connacht next year - a rising tide lifts all boats...
tribesman123 (National) - 30/07/2026 13:31:47
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Dublin GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Fionn: "Looking forward to the Dublin SFC and of course the rest of the SHC.
Disappointed with how our Hurlers season ended.
Had high hopes tbh but we are quite a bit back from the top table.
The win over Kilkenny in The Neller was the highlight for me.
But looking at the levels of Limerick, and then the next level down of Clare, Galway, and Cork, we are realistically another level below that unfortunately.
The upturn with our Footballers surprised me.
Ger being back in the sidelines had a huge bearing on that. I now have more optimism that a few months ago and some of our newbies will have learned so much from this year. Hopefully they kick on again next year.
I hope Ger can unearth a few more from our SFC.
As for the how the football season unfolded - very happy with our upturn. Delighted for Westmeath and The Rossies and nice to see Armagh win their Provincial.
Thrilled for Mayo especially beating such massive odds and the overwhelming favourites in the process.
Their hoodoo lifted and against Kerry was sweet.
As for the Hurling - I tip my hat to Limerick yet again.
The Leinster SHC has a lot of work to do to catch up on the Hurling province of Munster. We are all quite a bit behind them tbh.
Dubs have a lot of work to do in both codes.
Hopefully part of our COE will be ready for our Inter County teams in the next few months.
Long long overdue.
Embarrassing tbh our lack of DCB facilities.
I think we have the right managers in place for both our Footballers and Hurlers and both will have learned a hell of a lot this season.
Roll on 2027.
ps I won't start a new thread/topic just for the sake of it, like others do…. lol
;o)" I think "some" wanted their very loooonnngg victory lap of a thread in place.
It just didn't end the way they were convinced it would.
Ah well
Beelzedub (National) - 30/07/2026 14:59:10
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Football Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)
Replying To legendzxix: "Armagh 2002 and Mayo 2026 were similar." I rememember the Kerry fans in New York going on the rampage in Woodside after the defeat in 02. If you were from Ulster, you were on their hit list. A number of bars in Woodside were wrecked. It shocked me after their own bully boy displays against Limerick in the Munster Championship.The defeats to Armagh and then Tyrone in 03 semi final they have never forgotten. Have always had a bad taste in my mouth re Kerry footbsll ever since.
ORIELMAN85 (National) - 30/07/2026 15:47:43
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Galway Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To FallenStar: "Is that the sole requirement to being manager for Galway then? Being a great tribesman?" Obviously not: it's only year 2 of the new rules. PJ will have learnings from them. He deserves another year to proceed with the knowledge that everything before June is preparation for the real business. I wouldn't use him as a scapegoat for not going further this year. I hope he has another crack at it.
suckvalleypaddy (National) - 30/07/2026 16:07:44
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