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The Gooch retires

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Replying To TheHermit:  "Well username I think a lot of us where hoping he would go for the road for one more summer.

I guess for players like this you always want them to go out with the fairytale ending. I was hoping in 15 or 16 we could get another All-Ireland and he could have gone out on that high - the way Alan Brogan was able to finish up, kicking the last score in an All-Ireland victory, the way Brian O'Driscoll got his long goodbye and then on the other hand you had ROG's experience! The again Gooch was always a great clubman so he got to sign off with that great All-Ireland last month.

You right in that he could have been a really option to bring on with 10 or 15 mins to go in a game, to take control of it, keep things ticking over, find the right pass etc etc. Even the last night against Dublin, how we could have used him in those last few minutes when we were 2 points up, to take the ball, slow things down, control the match and steer it home.

I would have always said that you'll be retired long enough, why not keep going for as long as you can.

But maybe the competitor inside didn't want him to be reduced to that sub role and if he wasn't starting he wasn't interested. In fairness even though his only 33, he has been playing for Kerry since he was 18. He played in 6 campaigns in a row that lead to Al-Ireland appearances and played in another 3 on top of that, that's huge mileage. All the while he was the main man for Crokes too.

And we have to take account of that horrific injury. We always hoped he could come back and be the player he was, but it was obvious he had lost a little bit of something. Maybe he just felt the body isn't up to it anymore, maybe he's just a little fed up with the way the modern game is gone and how he finds himself in the half back line half the time, maybe he see's the talent coming through and thinks it's time to pass the baton on.

I don't know, all I know as a fella who is one age to him, I feel very very old today.

Only Kieran left now of that great team. Darragh, Tomas, Marc, Mike McCarthy, Aidan, Galvin, Declan O'Sullivan now Gooch.

All gone, but never forgotten."
Great post mate, he is renowned for his goal/scoring, skill,creativity and vision but what often get over looked was his game management skills. How he controlled and judged the tempo of Kerry's play was sublime.

I think I mentioned it to genuiesgerry last week that the Kerry team you reference of the 00s, knew how and when to hold pocession, when to keep pocession and how to control the tempo of the game. They were the best team at game control and management I have ever seen, it was its own form of defence and beautiful on the eye. The only time I saw it scuppered was in our smash and grab in 2011 and to be honest I still cant believe that happened, 9 times out of ten Kerry see out that match.

How times change, and passes a reminder to us Dubs that nothing lasts forever. I remember that 18 year old kid from Kilarney with the world at his feet. We're all getting old mate, beware the two day hangover next Sunday! :)

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 05/04/2017 17:44:34    1976102

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The best ive ever seen.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 05/04/2017 18:05:46    1976108

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Replying To TheUsername:  "Great post mate, he is renowned for his goal/scoring, skill,creativity and vision but what often get over looked was his game management skills. How he controlled and judged the tempo of Kerry's play was sublime.

I think I mentioned it to genuiesgerry last week that the Kerry team you reference of the 00s, knew how and when to hold pocession, when to keep pocession and how to control the tempo of the game. They were the best team at game control and management I have ever seen, it was its own form of defence and beautiful on the eye. The only time I saw it scuppered was in our smash and grab in 2011 and to be honest I still cant believe that happened, 9 times out of ten Kerry see out that match.

How times change, and passes a reminder to us Dubs that nothing lasts forever. I remember that 18 year old kid from Kilarney with the world at his feet. We're all getting old mate, beware the two day hangover next Sunday! :)"
Oh they'll be a two day hangover after Sunday alright, win lose or draw, a friends wedding and afters the day and two before won't help!

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 05/04/2017 18:43:16    1976124

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I see there is twice as many posts on a thread which has descended into pettiness and questioning the character of this special player.

Sums up the way this website has gone to a T really.

Probably sums up modern Ireland too.

You wonder what some people get out of sport at all.

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 06/04/2017 10:32:37    1976389

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Replying To TheHermit:  "I see there is twice as many posts on a thread which has descended into pettiness and questioning the character of this special player.

Sums up the way this website has gone to a T really.

Probably sums up modern Ireland too.

You wonder what some people get out of sport at all."
In general, you're as guilty of this as anyone else, so maybe tone down the preaching.

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12120 - 06/04/2017 10:37:35    1976392

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Replying To Breffni39:  "In general, you're as guilty of this as anyone else, so maybe tone down the preaching."
Show me where I've ever gone on a thread about a retiring player to have a dig lad.

Easy to say something, harder to prove it.

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 06/04/2017 11:15:35    1976412

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Replying To TheHermit:  "I see there is twice as many posts on a thread which has descended into pettiness and questioning the character of this special player.

Sums up the way this website has gone to a T really.

Probably sums up modern Ireland too.

You wonder what some people get out of sport at all."
Would you ever leave off crying the poor mouth constantly, it's draining to read.

greatpoint (USA) - Posts: 427 - 06/04/2017 11:29:25    1976418

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Replying To Breffni39:  "In general, you're as guilty of this as anyone else, so maybe tone down the preaching."
Perhaps you'd care to show me where I've ever gone on a thread about a retiring player and had a dig?

It's easy to write something isn't it, proving it is quite another.

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 06/04/2017 11:36:16    1976424

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Replying To greatpoint:  "Would you ever leave off crying the poor mouth constantly, it's draining to read."
The poor mouth?

What are you getting at exactly?

The finest player of his generation retires. You would think if people were interested in Gaelic games they would be interested in at least spending some time talking about him, the memories they have, what they thought made him special.

Instead some fella's puts up a topic straight away asking was he as good as x.

Then it's an excuse for some usual suspects to have their go
- ah sure he never showed up
-sure he went missing in the big games
- sure the Ulster boys showed him up for what he really was
- sure he wasn't have as good as they said
- sure my brother in law's firs cousin twice removed would have been better only he was knackered after he broke his ankle in a Junior League match up in Ballyjamesduff.

PATHETIC!

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 06/04/2017 11:57:59    1976436

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Replying To TheHermit:  "Perhaps you'd care to show me where I've ever gone on a thread about a retiring player and had a dig?

It's easy to write something isn't it, proving it is quite another."
Well I said "in general" so I don't have prove anything actually.

You have plenty of begrudging petty posts about Dublin or Tyrone or Ulster or whatever so maybe some self-awareness wouldn't go astray every now and then.

Sums up the way this website has gone to a T really.

Probably sums up modern Ireland too.

You wonder what some people get out of sport at all blah blah blah etc

"Probably sums up modern Ireland too" haha I keep laughing at this bit, probably the highest horse anyone has ever been on on this board. "Peoples personal preference for 1 legendary footballer over my favourite legendary footballer is what's wrong with this country!"

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12120 - 06/04/2017 12:04:02    1976440

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Replying To Breffni39:  "Well I said "in general" so I don't have prove anything actually.

You have plenty of begrudging petty posts about Dublin or Tyrone or Ulster or whatever so maybe some self-awareness wouldn't go astray every now and then.

Sums up the way this website has gone to a T really.

Probably sums up modern Ireland too.

You wonder what some people get out of sport at all blah blah blah etc

"Probably sums up modern Ireland too" haha I keep laughing at this bit, probably the highest horse anyone has ever been on on this board. "Peoples personal preference for 1 legendary footballer over my favourite legendary footballer is what's wrong with this country!""
Everyone has their own favorite players, but many of the posts on that topic in the last couple of days are nothing but digs about Colm Copper questioning his performances in big games, when anyone that did the briefest google search would see the scores he racked up in said games.

You've a fair chip on the old shoulder about Kerry, don't be accusing me of having some issue with Ulster just to justify yourself. I remember a while back trying to hop ball with you about the '47 final and got nothing back only sour guff.

Your one of the main cheerleaders for any topic having a go a Kerry, so why don't you go iron the Dublin jersey you clearly own and enjoy the League final on Sunday.

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 06/04/2017 12:36:41    1976458

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Replying To Breffni39:  "Well I said "in general" so I don't have prove anything actually.

You have plenty of begrudging petty posts about Dublin or Tyrone or Ulster or whatever so maybe some self-awareness wouldn't go astray every now and then.

Sums up the way this website has gone to a T really.

Probably sums up modern Ireland too.

You wonder what some people get out of sport at all blah blah blah etc

"Probably sums up modern Ireland too" haha I keep laughing at this bit, probably the highest horse anyone has ever been on on this board. "Peoples personal preference for 1 legendary footballer over my favourite legendary footballer is what's wrong with this country!""
Haha!!

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 06/04/2017 12:58:15    1976466

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Replying To jimbodub:  "Haha!!"
And when you have the above poster agreeing with you Breffni, it tells a lot.

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 06/04/2017 13:15:08    1976475

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Replying To TheHermit:  "Everyone has their own favorite players, but many of the posts on that topic in the last couple of days are nothing but digs about Colm Copper questioning his performances in big games, when anyone that did the briefest google search would see the scores he racked up in said games.

You've a fair chip on the old shoulder about Kerry, don't be accusing me of having some issue with Ulster just to justify yourself. I remember a while back trying to hop ball with you about the '47 final and got nothing back only sour guff.

Your one of the main cheerleaders for any topic having a go a Kerry, so why don't you go iron the Dublin jersey you clearly own and enjoy the League final on Sunday."
Like I said, a little self-awareness wouldn't go astray.

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12120 - 06/04/2017 13:39:36    1976489

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PS you are clearly the sour one on the subject of 1947. How could I be sour about my county winning the greatest all-Ireland of all time?

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12120 - 06/04/2017 13:41:59    1976493

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Replying To greatpoint:  "Would you ever leave off crying the poor mouth constantly, it's draining to read."
Great point, greatpoint

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 06/04/2017 15:14:33    1976544

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Getting slagged off by Mr popular wha.. pfffh

Bout as popular as salty tea

Breff has given us Dubs plenty of justified stick over the years

He has a good nose for BS

Prob explains a lot about his accurate summing up of your own contributions

A top poster our Breff, and that's coming from a poster who he's got stuck into plenty of times. Again all justified though...

I respect that, you could learn a thing or two from Breff hermit.. You really could. Grow a bit of thicker skin for yourself and learn that if you're going to give it, expect it two come back at you two fold

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 06/04/2017 15:27:15    1976554

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Anyone read Brolly's article today about the Gooch? Say what you want about Joe but he's a barrister and forensically dissects Cooper's matches over the years. If people are honest and devoid of bias and emotion they can only say that Brolly is 100% correct. Cooper was the most skillfully talented footballer the game HSE ever seen BUT in the white heat of battle against Armagh, Tyrone, Donegal and Dublin where leaders and battlers are required Colm was seldom to be seen.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9706 - 09/04/2017 20:22:39    1977608

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "Anyone read Brolly's article today about the Gooch? Say what you want about Joe but he's a barrister and forensically dissects Cooper's matches over the years. If people are honest and devoid of bias and emotion they can only say that Brolly is 100% correct. Cooper was the most skillfully talented footballer the game HSE ever seen BUT in the white heat of battle against Armagh, Tyrone, Donegal and Dublin where leaders and battlers are required Colm was seldom to be seen."
Stop looking for attention, Brolly was a disgrace today in what he put down in print. The only thing he learned as a barrister was to talk out of both sides of his gov, he was on Terrace Talk on Monday saying Gooch was the greatest player ever.

BROLLY your not for to wash he's boots.

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 09/04/2017 21:16:32    1977639

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Replying To TheHermit:  "Stop looking for attention, Brolly was a disgrace today in what he put down in print. The only thing he learned as a barrister was to talk out of both sides of his gov, he was on Terrace Talk on Monday saying Gooch was the greatest player ever.

BROLLY your not for to wash he's boots."
What! Looking for attention? Ha ha ha! If I wanted to seek attention I would have streaked at Croke Park today. Take the blinkers off and come out of that cave Hermit. Brolly was very accurate in his assessment.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9706 - 09/04/2017 21:20:59    1977642

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