National Forum

The Best Football Midfield Pairing In The Country?

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Replying To neverright:  "At which point Seamus O'Shea had been taken off"
You think he'd have tracked Mccarthy's runs up and down croke park if he'd stayed on?

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5012 - 15/03/2018 17:54:30    2084790

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Fenton and McCarthy for me too. I can't think of another pair that would get the better of them over a full game

GeniusGerry (Kerry) - Posts: 2105 - 15/03/2018 19:25:00    2084805

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Replying To cavanman47:  "You think he'd have tracked Mccarthy's runs up and down croke park if he'd stayed on?"
There's more to midfield play than tracking, Mayo dominated midfield while he was on the pitch. McCarthy got a lot of praise for one particular (and important catch), would not have happened with O'Shea marking the kick

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 15/03/2018 19:27:27    2084806

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There hasn't been a traditional midfielder worthy of the name since Darragh O'Sé. The days of needing a great fielder with a great 'spring', a secure take, an ability to burst out of the midfield spoilers and put the ball on a plate for a half forward are gone. I can think of any number of great midfielders from previous eras, but the game has moved on.

essmac (Tyrone) - Posts: 1141 - 15/03/2018 20:16:47    2084814

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Replying To essmac:  "There hasn't been a traditional midfielder worthy of the name since Darragh O'Sé. The days of needing a great fielder with a great 'spring', a secure take, an ability to burst out of the midfield spoilers and put the ball on a plate for a half forward are gone. I can think of any number of great midfielders from previous eras, but the game has moved on."
fascinating and all as it is getting a history lesson and yet another tradition line thrown out, the game has, as you say yourself, moved on. So, how about answering the fellas question.

for me it's fenton and Mccarthy.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 15/03/2018 23:50:14    2084850

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I think lads like Brendan Murphy in Carlow and Gary Brennan in Clare deserve a mention too. Brennan in particular is a player I admire. But as I said before, the Fenton/McCarthy axis is at the top of the tree for me.

kildare73 (Kildare) - Posts: 854 - 16/03/2018 00:25:00    2084855

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Do they have to be from the same county.

I'd be very tempered by a Feely and Fenton combo.

Maybe in the railway cup. ;)

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 16/03/2018 10:45:17    2084889

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Midfield is all about match ups and systems. If you have Cluxton kicking it into your bread basket every time you will look great. In any given game you could be a better fielder but less mobile (vice versa) than your opponent and look great because of your team shape/system.

Definitely the most rounded midfield pairing are McCarthy and Fenton. They can field, have serious mobility and great power. Also plenty of footballing skill. I think they can play any sort of game.

Saying that I wouldn't be familiar with all the pairing round the country. Brendan Murphy was a class act. Not sure how he is moving these days.

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1829 - 16/03/2018 11:03:50    2084893

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Gary Brennan is the first name to be picked when Ireland chose their International Rules midfield. Michael Murphy is probably the best footballing midfield player. Brian Fenton is excellent but plays on a team where their half back line and half forward line is generally on top.
In Rugby you don't rate your half backs until you've seen them behind a shaky pack.
Fenton is provided with a huge platform in which to be successful.
Murphy and Brennan often plough a lone furrow.
Honourable mention to Kevin Feely.

sportsfan14 (USA) - Posts: 281 - 16/03/2018 12:42:03    2084908

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Replying To sportsfan14:  "Gary Brennan is the first name to be picked when Ireland chose their International Rules midfield. Michael Murphy is probably the best footballing midfield player. Brian Fenton is excellent but plays on a team where their half back line and half forward line is generally on top.
In Rugby you don't rate your half backs until you've seen them behind a shaky pack.
Fenton is provided with a huge platform in which to be successful.
Murphy and Brennan often plough a lone furrow.
Honourable mention to Kevin Feely."
That is a fair point.

How does Fenton fair with Raheny against the Ballymuns and Vincent's of this world? Genuine question, I mean he's clearly doing something right to make the Dublin team in the 1st place.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5012 - 16/03/2018 12:56:02    2084910

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