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RTE And This Constant "Henry Shefflin Is The Greatest Hurler Of All Time To Many"

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Joanne Cantwell yet again let off the above line again tonight, its thrown out every few weeks...whats the obsession with this from her in particular...yes, he is ONE of the best hurlers ever who happened to be a member of an exceptional bunch of Kilkenny players in an exceptional era..but he isnt the best hurler ever..TJ Reid is a better all round hurler to me and is there a good few years now and is ultra consistent..Henry had bad games too people seem to forget...DJ Carey was a better hurler skill wise than Sheffflin, played in good and bad Kilkenny teams and pulled Kilkenny along in bad days too...Henry has the medals as the era was ultra sucessful for Kilkenny...DJ hadnt but still has his few medals...Henry was an exceptional hurler for sure...was the best ever though..come on...and saying "to many he was the best ever"...not true..to some ok..but not many..Eddie Keher & Frank Cummins..equal players who never even won an All Ireland...Ollie Canning, Joe Cooney for example, Tony Browne, John Mullane, Ciaran Carey, Andrew O'Shaugnessy...Jimmy Barry Murphy, John Fenton (a long sucessfull career - never had a poor game), James Shanahan and Johnny Callinan, Sean Stack not to mention more recent Clare players....Brian Lohan, Seanie McMahon two to the best hurlers I ever seen...just Henry was great yes..but wasnt the greatest by a long shot...

Fairplayalways (Offaly) - Posts: 1034 - 30/05/2021 23:45:58    2346762

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Replying To Fairplayalways:  "Joanne Cantwell yet again let off the above line again tonight, its thrown out every few weeks...whats the obsession with this from her in particular...yes, he is ONE of the best hurlers ever who happened to be a member of an exceptional bunch of Kilkenny players in an exceptional era..but he isnt the best hurler ever..TJ Reid is a better all round hurler to me and is there a good few years now and is ultra consistent..Henry had bad games too people seem to forget...DJ Carey was a better hurler skill wise than Sheffflin, played in good and bad Kilkenny teams and pulled Kilkenny along in bad days too...Henry has the medals as the era was ultra sucessful for Kilkenny...DJ hadnt but still has his few medals...Henry was an exceptional hurler for sure...was the best ever though..come on...and saying "to many he was the best ever"...not true..to some ok..but not many..Eddie Keher & Frank Cummins..equal players who never even won an All Ireland...Ollie Canning, Joe Cooney for example, Tony Browne, John Mullane, Ciaran Carey, Andrew O'Shaugnessy...Jimmy Barry Murphy, John Fenton (a long sucessfull career - never had a poor game), James Shanahan and Johnny Callinan, Sean Stack not to mention more recent Clare players....Brian Lohan, Seanie McMahon two to the best hurlers I ever seen...just Henry was great yes..but wasnt the greatest by a long shot..."
No Offaly man in your list. It's an opinion re Henry Shefflin in today's era, there have been players down the years who could be regarded as the greatest player ever. A matter of opinion.

MicktheMiller (Offaly) - Posts: 421 - 31/05/2021 10:52:08    2346831

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Replying To Fairplayalways:  "Joanne Cantwell yet again let off the above line again tonight, its thrown out every few weeks...whats the obsession with this from her in particular...yes, he is ONE of the best hurlers ever who happened to be a member of an exceptional bunch of Kilkenny players in an exceptional era..but he isnt the best hurler ever..TJ Reid is a better all round hurler to me and is there a good few years now and is ultra consistent..Henry had bad games too people seem to forget...DJ Carey was a better hurler skill wise than Sheffflin, played in good and bad Kilkenny teams and pulled Kilkenny along in bad days too...Henry has the medals as the era was ultra sucessful for Kilkenny...DJ hadnt but still has his few medals...Henry was an exceptional hurler for sure...was the best ever though..come on...and saying "to many he was the best ever"...not true..to some ok..but not many..Eddie Keher & Frank Cummins..equal players who never even won an All Ireland...Ollie Canning, Joe Cooney for example, Tony Browne, John Mullane, Ciaran Carey, Andrew O'Shaugnessy...Jimmy Barry Murphy, John Fenton (a long sucessfull career - never had a poor game), James Shanahan and Johnny Callinan, Sean Stack not to mention more recent Clare players....Brian Lohan, Seanie McMahon two to the best hurlers I ever seen...just Henry was great yes..but wasnt the greatest by a long shot..."
I'd agree generally with that.
Henry was superb, but he didn't have the magic of a DJ, he rarely did things that would make you wanna rewind and watch over again. He did have bad games but so does everyone tbh.
Tommy Walsh was better imo.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1705 - 31/05/2021 12:43:49    2346912

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Replying To MicktheMiller:  "No Offaly man in your list. It's an opinion re Henry Shefflin in today's era, there have been players down the years who could be regarded as the greatest player ever. A matter of opinion."
There's opinions and there's repeated opinions, so in my opinion there's no reason why the Sunday game can't have a male presenter, women fill all the key rolls within RTE, I do know that, eg front line presenters in the News Room, Current Affairs, Sunday Sport's, etc, etc, etc.

The only one show that I would like to see a man presenting is The Sunday Game, that is my opinion and I make no apologies for saying that.

Darragh Maloney should have got that slot in the first place, Tommy Martin is another reasonably good presenter. Equalisation is a non runner in RTE apparently.

Fairplayalways (Offaly) was only giving his opinion on one issue and he put it across reasonably well, it gave me the opportunity to expand a little re Joanne Cantwell / Sunday Game.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 2907 - 31/05/2021 12:47:43    2346916

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There is too much emphasis placed on points from frees IMO. Headlines often read "Shefflin with 1-12 leads the way" but in reality he may have only had 1 or 2 points from play. I am not having a go at Shefflin but just making a general comment on the reporting of the scoring of placed balls.

Thats why out of the list above I loved Mullane. He was a damaging high scoring corner forward and one of the greatest corner forwards I have ever seen.

On the greatest player comment I can only speak of players I saw but my favorite player was actually another member of that KK team - Tommy Walsh.

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2479 - 31/05/2021 12:48:19    2346917

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Replying To Fairplayalways:  "Joanne Cantwell yet again let off the above line again tonight, its thrown out every few weeks...whats the obsession with this from her in particular...yes, he is ONE of the best hurlers ever who happened to be a member of an exceptional bunch of Kilkenny players in an exceptional era..but he isnt the best hurler ever..TJ Reid is a better all round hurler to me and is there a good few years now and is ultra consistent..Henry had bad games too people seem to forget...DJ Carey was a better hurler skill wise than Sheffflin, played in good and bad Kilkenny teams and pulled Kilkenny along in bad days too...Henry has the medals as the era was ultra sucessful for Kilkenny...DJ hadnt but still has his few medals...Henry was an exceptional hurler for sure...was the best ever though..come on...and saying "to many he was the best ever"...not true..to some ok..but not many..Eddie Keher & Frank Cummins..equal players who never even won an All Ireland...Ollie Canning, Joe Cooney for example, Tony Browne, John Mullane, Ciaran Carey, Andrew O'Shaugnessy...Jimmy Barry Murphy, John Fenton (a long sucessfull career - never had a poor game), James Shanahan and Johnny Callinan, Sean Stack not to mention more recent Clare players....Brian Lohan, Seanie McMahon two to the best hurlers I ever seen...just Henry was great yes..but wasnt the greatest by a long shot..."
Agree 100%. Hes definitely one of the best but then so too would 10 or 12 of Kilkennys noughties teams. DJ Carey had more flair and was probably more exciting to watch. John Mullane gave 300% every time out but Austin Gleeson is probably a better hurler to watch when in the right form. My favourite 3 hurlers to watch play since the 90s and I started going to games were/are Joe Deane, Joe Canning , and Tony Kelly. I think Rory O Connor will be joining that list if he stays injury free for a long time. Being from Wexford I cant have any Kilkenny men on that list because we usually play them 2 or 3 times a year!!!!

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11820 - 31/05/2021 13:09:40    2346933

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Shefflin was class, but he was surrounded by greatness too and got super service from his teammates. Agree that Tommy Walsh was the best from that team of players along with JJ.
TJ is the forerunner at the moment and I think he brings so much more all around as a player.
Ken Mc Grath is another player who deserves to be spoken about in the same breath as all of the above .

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1908 - 31/05/2021 13:22:10    2346944

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I wonder if someone like Joe Canning, Patrick Horgan or Tony Kelly were in that Kilkenny team, would they probably get the "Greatest of All Time" recognition instead of Henry? They're all more exciting players and you could probably pick out a few more too. Henry was incredible but like someone else said, he didn't have the magic of the likes of a DJ.

Townee2018 (Galway) - Posts: 281 - 31/05/2021 13:23:22    2346946

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Replying To MicktheMiller:  "No Offaly man in your list. It's an opinion re Henry Shefflin in today's era, there have been players down the years who could be regarded as the greatest player ever. A matter of opinion."
I'd rather watch Brian Whelehan any day!

baire (Galway) - Posts: 1791 - 31/05/2021 13:31:20    2346950

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The 1 thing about Shefflin he could change a game right round in your favour like the 2012 all Ireland final drawn match, Galway were well on top until Shefflin came out centre forward and he took the game by the scruff of the neck and he got Kilkenny back into it, only for Joe Cannings free to draw the match, if Kilkenny won that final it would have being down to Shefflin. Tommy Walsh, JJ Delaney, Dj Carey, Richie Power and a real under-estimated player from that time too Martin Comerford are up there with him, Tj Reid and Richie Hogan have to be mentioned too. Out them all I nearly would go for Dj Carey (an absolute magician with a hurley and ball) with Shefflin a very close second. But there is plenty others from other counties, too many to mention.

On Joanne Cantwell I think she is a good presenter but it was going to be hard for her following Michael Lyster who was brilliant in what he did. I rather her than Des Cahill who sits on the fence with every issue that comes up at least Joanne Cantwell gives an opinion on a subject.

DUALSUPPORT (Limerick) - Posts: 1038 - 31/05/2021 13:50:25    2346960

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This old chestnut again. He's right up there. People have different opinions on it. Wouldn't be getting worked up about it.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7887 - 31/05/2021 13:56:21    2346965

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Replying To supersub15:  "There's opinions and there's repeated opinions, so in my opinion there's no reason why the Sunday game can't have a male presenter, women fill all the key rolls within RTE, I do know that, eg front line presenters in the News Room, Current Affairs, Sunday Sport's, etc, etc, etc.

The only one show that I would like to see a man presenting is The Sunday Game, that is my opinion and I make no apologies for saying that.

Darragh Maloney should have got that slot in the first place, Tommy Martin is another reasonably good presenter. Equalisation is a non runner in RTE apparently.

Fairplayalways (Offaly) was only giving his opinion on one issue and he put it across reasonably well, it gave me the opportunity to expand a little re Joanne Cantwell / Sunday Game."
Darragh Maloney is the main anchor for the soccer coverage. I know this doesn't suit your bitter agenda but that's the fact of it. Joanne Cantwell, regardless of her gender, is very good at what she does.

Of course you're entitled to your opinion, but why beat about the bush? Just say you're a misogynist and you don't value women's opinions as much as men's.

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12116 - 31/05/2021 14:01:09    2346967

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"Joanne Cantwell suggested Henry Shefflin may be the greatest hurler of all time. I think someone else is. She should be replaced by a man. JuST mY oPInIOn"

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12116 - 31/05/2021 14:25:15    2346984

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Henry Shefflin is ONE of the greatest hurlers of all time. To say anyone past or present is THE greatest is a stretch and quiet honestly an insult to all the greats. Henry like all players went through a lean spell and was only getting scores from what we call loose balls and the hard work of those around him. However is ability to change games and read the game made him one of the greats.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2658 - 31/05/2021 14:50:34    2347002

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People really shouldn't get definitive about such a subjective question.

Henry Shefflin was a great hurler.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 31/05/2021 14:58:31    2347004

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Anyway on the topic.

Imo I've always felt Eoin Kelly from Tipp was the better of the two from that era. Granted Shefflin went on for longer but never had to carry a team to the same extent as Kelly did during the mid 2000s.

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1380 - 31/05/2021 15:31:22    2347033

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Replying To oneoff:  "Anyway on the topic.

Imo I've always felt Eoin Kelly from Tipp was the better of the two from that era. Granted Shefflin went on for longer but never had to carry a team to the same extent as Kelly did during the mid 2000s."
The 2 Kellys were 2 of the best non Kilkenny players of the noughties for sure. Waterford had a great team back then too they just were desperately unlucky Cork and Kilkenny were so strong the 1st half of the noughties and Tipp and Kilkenny the end of the decade. The dreaded big 3 shutout!

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11820 - 31/05/2021 16:28:53    2347075

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Replying To Breffni40:  "Darragh Maloney is the main anchor for the soccer coverage. I know this doesn't suit your bitter agenda but that's the fact of it. Joanne Cantwell, regardless of her gender, is very good at what she does.

Of course you're entitled to your opinion, but why beat about the bush? Just say you're a misogynist and you don't value women's opinions as much as men's."
If you don't mind my saying you come across as a bit patronising. She's "very good"? Why not put a gold star on the her forehead eh? Fact of the matter is she's not very good at what she does, regardless of her gender and regardless of whether or not it suits your particular agenda.

Personally I think she's brutal to be honest. I can't stand the way she persistently interrupts the guests, and whereas Lyster used to work the pundits well, I always feel Joanne's trying to catch them out, trying to be part of the argument. Mind you she got them to sack Brolly so she's not all bad lol.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1705 - 31/05/2021 19:40:37    2347149

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Henry is a rich man's Keith Higgins!

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7343 - 31/05/2021 19:51:54    2347152

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Replying To supersub15:  "There's opinions and there's repeated opinions, so in my opinion there's no reason why the Sunday game can't have a male presenter, women fill all the key rolls within RTE, I do know that, eg front line presenters in the News Room, Current Affairs, Sunday Sport's, etc, etc, etc.

The only one show that I would like to see a man presenting is The Sunday Game, that is my opinion and I make no apologies for saying that.

Darragh Maloney should have got that slot in the first place, Tommy Martin is another reasonably good presenter. Equalisation is a non runner in RTE apparently.

Fairplayalways (Offaly) was only giving his opinion on one issue and he put it across reasonably well, it gave me the opportunity to expand a little re Joanne Cantwell / Sunday Game."
To go off topic for a moment (very rare I know lol), here in Galway when I was growing up, suicide was so common in my area (ballybane), like it happened once a month, literally, I count about 20 people I know who've taken their own lives.
Thing is, it was with very few exceptions young men who were doing it,and the lack of attention it received was a disgrace.
I always felt that had it been the other way round, the issue would have been given far more publicity.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1705 - 31/05/2021 19:57:28    2347153

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