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

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "I'm not going to attempt to comment on what passes for GAA coverage on RTE as it required a mass overhaul 10 years ago but there were only minor tweeks. Bringing in a new presenter was such a minor tweek. Reading through this thread got me thinking - what deems a player to be 'great' or the 'greatest'? After all, being a superstar in GAA is probably the biggest lottery in the world of sport bar none. I say this because it is based purely on luck - what county you are born into. If Henry Sheflin was born in Offaly or Antrim or Mayo, would people be saying he is the greatest or even talking about him, regardless of how good a hurler he was? After all where you are born determines how many all ireland medals and all stars you win. I am assuming that is a significant part of the criteria for greatest? Plus in hurling, you need to be born in probably 5 counties if you want to be part of the greatest of all time discussion, this narrow the field considerable I would say. By the way, Henry Sheflin was a terrific hurler."
Which are the 5 counties?

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11864 - 02/06/2021 19:16:55    2347805

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "Yeah, agree. Stopped reading after this post. Pointless thread. People have opinions, who cares."
its not a pointless thread...60 odd comments some think its not too bad of a thread...

Fairplayalways (Offaly) - Posts: 1034 - 02/06/2021 20:33:19    2347823

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "Henry Sheflin might have been a great hurler but he is a terrible pundit.... As for Daly from Clare... he would give an aspirin a headache...!!!"
Agree on Shefflin but even as a Tipp man I enjoy Dalys passion. His podcast is excellent entertainment too and his knowledge of the game is unreal.

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 02/06/2021 20:34:08    2347824

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "Offlay "have a few hurlers" who could be regarded as the greatest hurler of all time? Really? Besides Brian Whelahan, who are these other 'greatest of all time' Offlay hurlers?"
thanks to other posters for replying before me..Brian Whelehan for one as you mentioned yourself...Martin Hanamy was one of the greatest corner backs of the 1990's and its not me just saying that..Johnny Dooley was as fine a hurler to ever play in Leisnter if not Ireland..he is a quiet fellah who doesnt do RTE panels and like many then get forgotten about...he hasnt the haul of Henry Shefflin as Offaly dont have that supply chain...Coughlan and Delaney, Kinahanas defenders, Joachinm Kelly seemed to hurl for ever at midfield and never had a bad game even if Offaly lost.., Mark Corrigan as a forward along with Johnny & Joe Dooley, Brian Carroll..yes, none of these have the haul Henry or most of his KK compatriots have as we hadnt the calibre of these lads in every line of the field..but some of the greatst Offaly every produced, unfortunately they all hadnt the back up to win multiple medals, which in ways pays testament to their longivity in inter county hurling...Henry came into hurling prominence too when GAA entity was becoming commercial and its all very well hurling til you drop and well looked after etc. given the prominence of the county..Offaly and many many more counties dont have that luxury...

Fairplayalways (Offaly) - Posts: 1034 - 02/06/2021 20:43:41    2347827

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Replying To tiobraid:  "Agree on Shefflin but even as a Tipp man I enjoy Dalys passion. His podcast is excellent entertainment too and his knowledge of the game is unreal."
Can't take Daly's voice at all... the best pundit on hurling is/was Michael Deignam from Offaly who said it as it is and didn't do the "I can't say that on RTE" like the rest of them....!!!

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 1928 - 02/06/2021 21:57:27    2347841

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Replying To tiobraid:  "Agree on Shefflin but even as a Tipp man I enjoy Dalys passion. His podcast is excellent entertainment too and his knowledge of the game is unreal."
Can't take Daly's voice at all... the best pundit on hurling is/was Michael Deignam from Offaly who said it as it is and didn't do the "I can't say that on RTE" like the rest of them....!!!

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 1928 - 02/06/2021 21:57:34    2347842

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Replying To Fairplayalways:  "thanks to other posters for replying before me..Brian Whelehan for one as you mentioned yourself...Martin Hanamy was one of the greatest corner backs of the 1990's and its not me just saying that..Johnny Dooley was as fine a hurler to ever play in Leisnter if not Ireland..he is a quiet fellah who doesnt do RTE panels and like many then get forgotten about...he hasnt the haul of Henry Shefflin as Offaly dont have that supply chain...Coughlan and Delaney, Kinahanas defenders, Joachinm Kelly seemed to hurl for ever at midfield and never had a bad game even if Offaly lost.., Mark Corrigan as a forward along with Johnny & Joe Dooley, Brian Carroll..yes, none of these have the haul Henry or most of his KK compatriots have as we hadnt the calibre of these lads in every line of the field..but some of the greatst Offaly every produced, unfortunately they all hadnt the back up to win multiple medals, which in ways pays testament to their longivity in inter county hurling...Henry came into hurling prominence too when GAA entity was becoming commercial and its all very well hurling til you drop and well looked after etc. given the prominence of the county..Offaly and many many more counties dont have that luxury..."
I knew I could have filled a page with Offaly greats. The "greatest " is in the eye of the beholder at a time in history and a useless exercise.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2660 - 02/06/2021 22:00:24    2347843

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Replying To ForeverBlue2: "Henry Sheflin might have been a great hurler but he is a terrible pundit.... As for Daly from Clare... he would give an aspirin a headache...!!!"

That is so funny about A.D. I can't stop laughing. I don't know if he is a fool or a rogue. All I hear is "Jasus lad" "listen lad" as if it is chat with all the drunks at the bar shouting together. If you add up what he says about both teams and subtract you are still at zero expressed in bog language.
You figured it, not an A.D. enthusiast.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2660 - 02/06/2021 22:16:47    2347846

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "Offlay "have a few hurlers" who could be regarded as the greatest hurler of all time? Really? Besides Brian Whelahan, who are these other 'greatest of all time' Offlay hurlers?"
Another phrase coined is, The " greatest doesn't exist on its own but is created by its many observers." - The greatest is self explanatory, Offaly have their fair share, no doubt.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 2907 - 02/06/2021 22:52:54    2347853

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Replying To Oldtourman:  "
Replying To Fairplayalways:  "[quote=supersub15:  "The simple fact is I don't think your post deserves a reply but out of common curtsey I decided I would.
It's fair to say you scanned my post you didn't actually read it properly, my gut feeling tells me you are a woman so for that reason too I want to clear the air and let you see I am not a misogynist, far from it I have great respect for women, so with that and with your permission I will talk you through the post in question.

I started with, "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. ( that is an honest opinion I have, it simply doesn't qualify for an offensive statement.)

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. (Nothing more than the Sunday Game show,. neither is it offensive or of a misogynistic nature)

Like I said my gut feeling tells me you're a woman and my post has offended you, can I add my post was never meant to offend you or any other woman, it offended me more when you suggested I was a misogynist and I don't value women's opinions as much as men's, bitter agendas are not part of my makeup.

Being a prisoner in my own mind is not an option for me, I should have the right to express my thoughts openly and honestly, other than letting them fester in my mind to the point of explosion, no thanks.
Good day Madam."
Your dead right..she is just ok of a presenter, nothing special, this lark of she deserves the role..whats that about??and the Wexford comogie player commenting on hurling games..we are so correct now and no one must be left out...you know its not far away when a non gender person (which is impossible) will be presenting it..wait and see..FG in Government for you again...the country is destroyed...and your attacked now for speaking your mind..they can speak their minds though, oh thats equality, but dont disapprove or anything or your deemed old fashioned and told your backwards..as I say, you cant offend them but they can you..."
In fairness, 'that Wexford Camogie Player' comes with some pedigree. She and all her three siblings have played 'hurling' at the top level, for their county. Her father and uncle are All Ireland Medalists and her Great Grand Uncle, Jem Mythen, was a member of the 1910 All Ireland winning team. So I would be happy enough with her commenting on hurling as I am sure she knows a lot more about the game than I do."]Fair point and myself included. But camogie it is a completely different sport nothing against her she was a great player. But for me it's gonna down hill since Lester retired. I always looked forward to the Sunday game but for some reason not any more. It's just not working IMO.

ecad123 (Galway) - Posts: 272 - 02/06/2021 22:53:21    2347854

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The best way to watch the sports now on RTE is with the mute button on

the_creeler (Leitrim) - Posts: 119 - 03/06/2021 08:37:48    2347894

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Agree with others on Joanne Cantwell. And its nothing got to do with her being a woman. I'm just calling it as i see it! She is poor imo!! Love Brolly or hate him he was the only one who spoke his mind. Even if at times you thought the stuff he said was pure rubbish, it was HIS opinion, and not the opinion set out in the SCRIPT!

Anyway on the best hurlers. Of what i've seen:

DJ Carey, Joe Canning, Ken McGrath, Tommy Walsh, Brian Whelehan, TJ Reid

ConnollyDub (Dublin) - Posts: 2007 - 03/06/2021 09:27:12    2347899

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Replying To Viking66:  "Which are the 5 counties?"
I would have said that it is the teams that have had dominate periods down through the history of the GAA namely Cork, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Wexford and Offaly in the 90s. Those to me are the counties with players that are always muted as having the greatest hurlers during specific periods. Joe Canning, in my opinion is up there with regard to individual talent from any era but I wonder if a player like Joe Canning, who has won one all ireland to date, would be consider one of the best hurlers of all time with one all ireland. My opinion is that the greatest player of all time should be judged on more than all ireland medals and all star awards. All Ireland are generally won by a team, so an individual like Joe Canning is dependent on the players around him to win an All Ireland. The same applies to special players in other counties like Ken McGrath. The all stars are not an accurate barometer, as has been proven in recent years, you can be lucky or unlucky depending on the year and how many players the all ireland finalists get.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1910 - 03/06/2021 10:55:20    2347924

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "I would have said that it is the teams that have had dominate periods down through the history of the GAA namely Cork, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Wexford and Offaly in the 90s. Those to me are the counties with players that are always muted as having the greatest hurlers during specific periods. Joe Canning, in my opinion is up there with regard to individual talent from any era but I wonder if a player like Joe Canning, who has won one all ireland to date, would be consider one of the best hurlers of all time with one all ireland. My opinion is that the greatest player of all time should be judged on more than all ireland medals and all star awards. All Ireland are generally won by a team, so an individual like Joe Canning is dependent on the players around him to win an All Ireland. The same applies to special players in other counties like Ken McGrath. The all stars are not an accurate barometer, as has been proven in recent years, you can be lucky or unlucky depending on the year and how many players the all ireland finalists get."
Jimmy Smyth from Clare? More recently Logan, Jamesy O Connor and teammates? Galway have had legends as have Waterford both recent and in the past. Mick Mackay didnt play for any of the 5 counties you picked out either.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11864 - 03/06/2021 11:22:30    2347930

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Replying To ConnollyDub:  "Agree with others on Joanne Cantwell. And its nothing got to do with her being a woman. I'm just calling it as i see it! She is poor imo!! Love Brolly or hate him he was the only one who spoke his mind. Even if at times you thought the stuff he said was pure rubbish, it was HIS opinion, and not the opinion set out in the SCRIPT!

Anyway on the best hurlers. Of what i've seen:

DJ Carey, Joe Canning, Ken McGrath, Tommy Walsh, Brian Whelehan, TJ Reid"
Brolly did take an age to make a point though so he needed to be hurried along, but there is a polite way of doing that and Cantwell isn't of the calibre of Bill O'Herlihy for example imo to change the course of a topic. In fact she likes to put her own opinion into matters.

the_creeler (Leitrim) - Posts: 119 - 03/06/2021 11:42:11    2347937

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Replying To supersub15:  "Self-rightness, the selfishness of Man, I will go further other than say, how dare I bring into question the Sunday Game and its presenter Joanne Cantwell. Yes how dare I ? With the benefit of hind sight this is my very own quote I can't deny it, "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." Its almost unforgiveable to suggest such a thing, lucky for me I didn't bad mouth Joanne, come to think of it sure I didn't make any reference to her at all.

The squeaky clean posters here lead by example for sure with their surgically prepared posts; . Anonymity has the hidden ability to bring out the act of bravado and self-rightness in some while others refuse to be distracted and play the field as they see it, it's blatantly obvious that some posts on the same topic went unnoticed, while (without paranoia) my one liner took a few sarcastic jibes Lets have a look at that one liner again, here goes.

"The only one show that I would like to see a man presenting is The Sunday Game,"
Un-forgiveable. - - -
"
You said a lot more than you're claiming now. You're also benefitting from anonymity same as the rest of us. Try to look at the big picture instead of feeling sorry for yourself because strangers online have a different opinion to you

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12120 - 03/06/2021 11:58:52    2347941

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Replying To Viking66:  "Jimmy Smyth from Clare? More recently Logan, Jamesy O Connor and teammates? Galway have had legends as have Waterford both recent and in the past. Mick Mackay didnt play for any of the 5 counties you picked out either."
You raise a fair point but it appears that the reason Henry Shefflin is being anointed as the greatest hurler of all time is that he has 10 all ireland medals and a similar all stars. There aren't too many counties that fit into this criteria which is why on my original post; I posed the question what is deemed being a 'great' or being the 'greatest'. To me, it should be wider than the number of medals and all stars a player has as both of these are dependent on one - the county or team mates along with you and two - the all star awards are very subjective and not always the best players get awarded such awards.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1910 - 03/06/2021 14:58:48    2347991

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "You raise a fair point but it appears that the reason Henry Shefflin is being anointed as the greatest hurler of all time is that he has 10 all ireland medals and a similar all stars. There aren't too many counties that fit into this criteria which is why on my original post; I posed the question what is deemed being a 'great' or being the 'greatest'. To me, it should be wider than the number of medals and all stars a player has as both of these are dependent on one - the county or team mates along with you and two - the all star awards are very subjective and not always the best players get awarded such awards."
For sure. I agree with your general point. The all stars are and have always been a bit of a joke. And All Ireland medals in any team sport are largely dependent on your teammates. If Brick Walsh, for example, had of been born in Kilkenny he too mightve had 10 Celtic crosses and all stars for example.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11864 - 03/06/2021 15:15:52    2347998

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Replying To Viking66:  "For sure. I agree with your general point. The all stars are and have always been a bit of a joke. And All Ireland medals in any team sport are largely dependent on your teammates. If Brick Walsh, for example, had of been born in Kilkenny he too mightve had 10 Celtic crosses and all stars for example."
The AllStars lost all credibility in the 1990s and are either the icing on the cake for All-Ireland winners or a consolation prize for all the rest. With perhaps an all expenses paid junket to the other end of the world to play an exhibition game ....

johnocarroll17 (Limerick) - Posts: 408 - 03/06/2021 15:21:15    2347999

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Obviously this is all opinion and you could pick numerous players and make an argument for them. Henry gets credit because He probably played in more big matches then anyone in the history of hurling. Especially with the system that is in place compared to 30 years ago. He also produced in most of those big games. When the game was in the fire he came through most of the time. That can't be discounted. Was he the most talented hurler ever i would say no. He wasn't the most talented hurler on those Kilkenny teams he played on. However he was very talented and more importantly he got the most out of what he had, more so then any other player I have seen. My top 5 would be DJ, Keher, JJ,Henry and Tommy.

gatha (Kilkenny) - Posts: 318 - 03/06/2021 16:31:44    2348024

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