National Forum

Tommy Conlon On Sean Boylan's Meath

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What I enjoyed most was finding out about Sean himself, a very very human man, someone I could easily relate to. Some do say he made a silk purse out of a sows ear, I would prefer a fine priceless jewel out of an uncut diamond.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4896 - 10/08/2020 18:35:19    2287160

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Replying To catch22:  "Have a little bit of respect and cop on to yourself will you.
The thread is about his comments about Seán Boylan not poor Kerry."
Interesting coming from a fella that constantly has a dig at Kerry, including going out of your way to try and stir crap on our own county forum page.
Respect indeed....

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 10/08/2020 18:39:45    2287161

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Replying To seadog54:  "More Whataboutery, and made up stories, as you constantly go off topic. Has a game ever been played that you did not attend?"
Was only showing that there were examples of Meath journalists, ex players on Boylans team that could write disgraceful stuff too.

And yes I would go to 80%+ of Kerry games every year, League and Championship.

Do you want me to ask the admin for your email so I can send you a picture of the ticket stub from the 09 qualifier in Tullamore as proof or something??? I have always kept tickets and programs for every game, it's a hobby so it would be no trouble lad.

I'm also sure you could find Hayes column on the net from that exact weekend just in case you think that's made up too!!!

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 10/08/2020 18:48:14    2287162

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Replying To Jackeen:  "Pay no heed. There are very few journalists worth their salt left. More often than not its a reaction they are looking for. Anybody who knows anything about football knows how well respected Sean Boylan was/is. I never had a problem with any of the Meath teams down through the years. I hated them naturally as great rivals mostly do but respected them too. They were as tough as they come as were several other teams at that time and now for that matter. By all accounts a lovely man."
Well sad and all of this.

Proper All Ireland's to, I often think Dublin and Meath would have won a hell of a lot more over that period if not for each other.

Meath just didn't have good players, they had some of the greatest players ever. If you are in the business of winning real All Ireland's you need the best balance of skill and being as tough as teak, occasionally you can get a bit of luck and dodge some teams, but 9 times out of ten, that's the formula year in year out, certainly if you are winning multiple ones in an era. Meath came crashing through the front door, with skill, determination, self belief and never took a step back, it was their way. You always had to win the battle, to trigger your skill. Great battles and memories (well not all great memories).

A testament to Sean is I'd go so far to say he is the most respected former manager and person in the game today, even among former bitter rivals, if you ever have to pleasure to meet him it's a pleasure and an education.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 10/08/2020 20:13:48    2287169

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Replying To TheHermit:  "Was only showing that there were examples of Meath journalists, ex players on Boylans team that could write disgraceful stuff too.

And yes I would go to 80%+ of Kerry games every year, League and Championship.

Do you want me to ask the admin for your email so I can send you a picture of the ticket stub from the 09 qualifier in Tullamore as proof or something??? I have always kept tickets and programs for every game, it's a hobby so it would be no trouble lad.

I'm also sure you could find Hayes column on the net from that exact weekend just in case you think that's made up too!!!"
What has that got to do with Séan Boylan?

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7344 - 10/08/2020 20:22:45    2287170

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I read the article and thought it was unfair to drag in the second team that Boylan built 96 on as being dirty as they were a young team that played good football.

The 80s team was dirty but in their defence football was much tougher back then and all teams got away with stuff that would be jumped on these days.

carlovia (None) - Posts: 1517 - 10/08/2020 20:31:10    2287174

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Replying To TheHermit:  "Was only showing that there were examples of Meath journalists, ex players on Boylans team that could write disgraceful stuff too.

And yes I would go to 80%+ of Kerry games every year, League and Championship.

Do you want me to ask the admin for your email so I can send you a picture of the ticket stub from the 09 qualifier in Tullamore as proof or something??? I have always kept tickets and programs for every game, it's a hobby so it would be no trouble lad.

I'm also sure you could find Hayes column on the net from that exact weekend just in case you think that's made up too!!!"
What has that got to do with Séan Boylan?

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7344 - 10/08/2020 20:59:24    2287176

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Replying To TheHermit:  "Agree but does anyone remember Liam Hayes Sunday in the Tribune paper before it folded.

The constant dung he uses write about Kerry was actually laughable. I still remember being on the train to Tullamore for our Qualifier against Antrim in 09 and one of the lads reading aloud his piece that day, a character assassination of Gooch. The whole carriage was rolling in the aisles."
Rolling in the aisles about a character assassination.That doesn't sound too good.

endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2162 - 10/08/2020 22:55:02    2287185

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "What has that got to do with Séan Boylan?"
Well said sir. Has absolutely nothing to do with Sean. Just typical of some and not all Kerry posters having to make it all about Kerry.

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1954 - 11/08/2020 01:11:17    2287191

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Seán Boylan is a legend and nothing that Tommy Conlon or anyone else says is going to change that, yes his teams were "physical" but that is the way football was played at the time and Kerry above anyone else were certainly adept at the black arts when the occasion demanded it, Dublin also, his Meath teams gave it in bucket loads but also took it without complaining, when they were beaten t they were beaten and didn't blame refs or the other teams "tactics" for their defeat. Seán Boylan has to be one of the most humble men I've ever met and will always spend a few minutes talking to you when you'd meet him. #Legend

DUBJOHN (Dublin) - Posts: 932 - 11/08/2020 08:16:26    2287197

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Replying To Oldertourman:  "I like Meath never made excuses- win or lose. Cork lost the '88 and 89 Finals to Meath and some of them sadly whinged about it for long enough. When Cork beat Meath in 90, the Royal men never complained and took their beating like men."
Cork lost the 87 and 88 finals to Meath!

DUBJOHN (Dublin) - Posts: 932 - 11/08/2020 08:19:08    2287198

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Replying To TheUsername:  "Well sad and all of this.

Proper All Ireland's to, I often think Dublin and Meath would have won a hell of a lot more over that period if not for each other.

Meath just didn't have good players, they had some of the greatest players ever. If you are in the business of winning real All Ireland's you need the best balance of skill and being as tough as teak, occasionally you can get a bit of luck and dodge some teams, but 9 times out of ten, that's the formula year in year out, certainly if you are winning multiple ones in an era. Meath came crashing through the front door, with skill, determination, self belief and never took a step back, it was their way. You always had to win the battle, to trigger your skill. Great battles and memories (well not all great memories).

A testament to Sean is I'd go so far to say he is the most respected former manager and person in the game today, even among former bitter rivals, if you ever have to pleasure to meet him it's a pleasure and an education."
What's a proper All-Ireland?

Also re Meath "coming trough the front door" What does that mean? Seeing as there was only a back door for five seasons when he was Meath manager.

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1380 - 11/08/2020 13:25:27    2287219

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Replying To TheUsername:  "Well sad and all of this.

Proper All Ireland's to, I often think Dublin and Meath would have won a hell of a lot more over that period if not for each other.

Meath just didn't have good players, they had some of the greatest players ever. If you are in the business of winning real All Ireland's you need the best balance of skill and being as tough as teak, occasionally you can get a bit of luck and dodge some teams, but 9 times out of ten, that's the formula year in year out, certainly if you are winning multiple ones in an era. Meath came crashing through the front door, with skill, determination, self belief and never took a step back, it was their way. You always had to win the battle, to trigger your skill. Great battles and memories (well not all great memories).

A testament to Sean is I'd go so far to say he is the most respected former manager and person in the game today, even among former bitter rivals, if you ever have to pleasure to meet him it's a pleasure and an education."
Can you let us know what years were not a proper All Ireland?

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7891 - 11/08/2020 13:58:11    2287229

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "Can you let us know what years were not a proper All Ireland?"
*When Kerry won :D

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 11/08/2020 14:06:00    2287230

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "Can you let us know what years were not a proper All Ireland?"
I definitely think some years are easier to win then others and fixtures can fall your way or you can be on the nice side of a draw and some provinces are easier then others. Accepting Leinster is one.

To use us an example i can remember years were we played almost every team worth talking about say in 16 then in say 18 it was an awful lot easier as fixtures fell nice for us, if we just won in 18 in isolation for example with tougher fixtures on the opposite side of the draw i wouldn't personally be thinking we would be coming from a very strong place in bragging about being the best team in Ireland. Thankfully though it came during stringing a few together during the era.

Not taking anything away anything from single All Ireland's as they are really enjoyable, but some years you look at it and go they got the rub of the green on fixtures or enjoyed a nice side of the draw and then dont follow up other years. Im personally speaking of course thats just the way i judge it objectively for myself, others will think differently and thats fine.

Linking it back to being on topic, i can remember years Dublin and Meath both were knackered after playing each or battered with injuries and knocks, and it did them no favors in competing for the top honors comparatively in other provinces, however Meath won multiple All Ireland's in that context - so real All Irelands in my opinion and underlines the greatness of those teams and Sean as a manager. Thats not the case in Leinster or Munster these days and Connacht and Ulster teams have it far more difficult these days.

If it goes ahead i think things are set up for Munster and Leinster this year, so thats an objective example. Id enjoy winning this year of course, but wouldn't be crowing about it. Id see at as a far greater achievement for say Mayo or Tyrone to win this year then say Dublin or Kerry. Im not saying thats right, im saying thats my opinion.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 11/08/2020 14:33:07    2287233

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Replying To TheUsername:  "Well sad and all of this.

Proper All Ireland's to, I often think Dublin and Meath would have won a hell of a lot more over that period if not for each other.

Meath just didn't have good players, they had some of the greatest players ever. If you are in the business of winning real All Ireland's you need the best balance of skill and being as tough as teak, occasionally you can get a bit of luck and dodge some teams, but 9 times out of ten, that's the formula year in year out, certainly if you are winning multiple ones in an era. Meath came crashing through the front door, with skill, determination, self belief and never took a step back, it was their way. You always had to win the battle, to trigger your skill. Great battles and memories (well not all great memories).

A testament to Sean is I'd go so far to say he is the most respected former manager and person in the game today, even among former bitter rivals, if you ever have to pleasure to meet him it's a pleasure and an education."
I think on this point, when Meath won all irelands in 87 and 88 Dublin were the second best team in Ireland and if there'd been a back door system at the time we'd have had 3 or 4 Meath v Dublin All ireland finals in a row.

However on topic and as poster has said Sean is one of the most respected gentlemen in the game. He always has time for people and there's very few if anyone you'd find who'd speak a bad word about him. As illustrated in this post multiple posters from every county have spoken glowing about him as a person, bar one Kerry poster who used the topic to have a dig at Liam Hayes journalism skills (which are debateable at best).

His knowledge of GAA is vast, I've met him on occasion and Meath and non Meath matches. One time my wife who's from Cavan was with me and when he asked her where she was from he was able to tell about GAA people and players he knew from her home town and they'd been up to him for a bottle etc ;) A pure gentleman that makes you feel comfortable in his presence.

As the saying goes never meet your heros - well that is completely untrue of Sean Boylan

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1954 - 11/08/2020 15:01:46    2287236

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Who is Tommy Conlon or who did he play for

Ashrules (Dublin) - Posts: 518 - 11/08/2020 15:06:19    2287238

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Replying To Ashrules:  "Who is Tommy Conlon or who did he play for"
A former US Marine and he plays alone in an octagon - Warrior reference

Tommy Conlon the journalist writes for the Irish Independent and as far as I'm aware he hasn't played intercounty football. He hails from county Leitrim.

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1954 - 11/08/2020 15:30:06    2287243

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Replying To TheUsername:  "I definitely think some years are easier to win then others and fixtures can fall your way or you can be on the nice side of a draw and some provinces are easier then others. Accepting Leinster is one.

To use us an example i can remember years were we played almost every team worth talking about say in 16 then in say 18 it was an awful lot easier as fixtures fell nice for us, if we just won in 18 in isolation for example with tougher fixtures on the opposite side of the draw i wouldn't personally be thinking we would be coming from a very strong place in bragging about being the best team in Ireland. Thankfully though it came during stringing a few together during the era.

Not taking anything away anything from single All Ireland's as they are really enjoyable, but some years you look at it and go they got the rub of the green on fixtures or enjoyed a nice side of the draw and then dont follow up other years. Im personally speaking of course thats just the way i judge it objectively for myself, others will think differently and thats fine.

Linking it back to being on topic, i can remember years Dublin and Meath both were knackered after playing each or battered with injuries and knocks, and it did them no favors in competing for the top honors comparatively in other provinces, however Meath won multiple All Ireland's in that context - so real All Irelands in my opinion and underlines the greatness of those teams and Sean as a manager. Thats not the case in Leinster or Munster these days and Connacht and Ulster teams have it far more difficult these days.

If it goes ahead i think things are set up for Munster and Leinster this year, so thats an objective example. Id enjoy winning this year of course, but wouldn't be crowing about it. Id see at as a far greater achievement for say Mayo or Tyrone to win this year then say Dublin or Kerry. Im not saying thats right, im saying thats my opinion."
Dublin have been way ahead squad wise last few years but in my eyes All Irelands are harder won since the back door system for a number of reasons.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7891 - 11/08/2020 15:53:16    2287246

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Replying To TheHermit:  "Interesting coming from a fella that constantly has a dig at Kerry, including going out of your way to try and stir crap on our own county forum page.
Respect indeed...."
Don't know what you are referring to when you say crap stirring at all. Speak about the comments on Sean Boylan or go way home for yourself ladeen.

catch22 (USA) - Posts: 2148 - 11/08/2020 18:29:01    2287264

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