HoganStand GAA Football and Hurling

National Forum

Greatest Midfielder

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post

You need to Login to Post

Replying To Ban: "I think any of the teams challenging Dublin in recent years would be more than a match for the teams of the 90's. For me, that means Dublin have been on a different level to anything seen before. If Fenton has been one of their main players then that probably speaks volumes.." Aye but the lads in the 90s were able to enjoy them selves and have a social life. I read that Paul mannions club coach said he won't play for dublin again because he's enjoying his life now. Jack mccafferty spoke of his disgust at having to go to a replay in 2019 as he just wanted it all to be over. If the lads in the 80s/90s done what lads are doing today they'd have been just as good if not better but I bet they wouldn't swap. KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 23/11/2021 14:54:09 2390461 Link
Replying To winatallcost: "I know nowadays people mention Fenton as the best but there is not huge competition for Dublin and would be interested to see these Dublin players in a more competitive era. Personally I think the 90s had fantastic midfielders where the area was always well contested and kickouts were sent long. My three favourite were Tohill, McDermott and Buckley. Each of these I would rate ahead of Fenton. Buckley at his best was the best I have seen. Jack O'Shea and Mick O'Connell from previous eras obviously stood out too." Kevin Walsh went toe to toe with Niall Buckley in the All Ireland final of 1998 and he did the same with John McDermott in the All Ireland final of 2001. He came out on top in both games. For me the two best midfielders I have seen are Jack O Shea and Brian Fenton. Anthony Tohill would be right up there too. Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 23/11/2021 16:04:16 2390472 Link
I'm not suggesting he's one of the best midfielders ever but big Neil Gallagher was a colossus for Donegal in the Jim McGuinness era. I remember being extremely nervous before our semi final with Cork in 2012. Just 3 years earlier they absolutely pulverised us in Croke Park. Their big men around the middle utterly dominated the match. Pure men against boys stuff. But in the 2012 semi, big Neil gave a performance for the ages. Well worth a wee look back on if you can find it on YouTube. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9116 - 23/11/2021 16:14:24 2390473 Link
Replying To KingdomBoy1: "Aye but the lads in the 90s were able to enjoy them selves and have a social life. I read that Paul mannions club coach said he won't play for dublin again because he's enjoying his life now. Jack mccafferty spoke of his disgust at having to go to a replay in 2019 as he just wanted it all to be over. If the lads in the 80s/90s done what lads are doing today they'd have been just as good if not better but I bet they wouldn't swap." I'm sure Jack and Paul enjoyed the majority of their Dublin career! They are only two of that great side so I doubt if playing for Dublin was and is as miserable as you make it out. I've heard of many great celebration stories from Dublin players down through the recent years.. I guess you see what you want to see.. Maybe there should be a tread for greatest midfielder who played with a team that had a great social life. I might make that one myself..! Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1415 - 23/11/2021 16:21:30 2390476 Link
Replying To Rockies: "Mick O' Connell no doubt was a class footballer. However, he didn't relish physical confrontation, and was eclipsed by Willie Byrne of Offaly in both 1972 All Ireland's. For that reason, I would go for Brian Mullins and Jack O' Shea!" What age was Mick O'Connell in '72?- he first played for Kerry in '56. He was certainly the finest footballer I ever saw. Anyway, Willie Bryan was also an exceptional Footballer. Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4317 - 23/11/2021 16:42:03 2390482 Link
If you wanted to win a game then Darragh O'Se , Not the prettiest to the eye like Maurice.. but would guarantee you control of the middle of the pitch. Like Jacko.. he was a warrior and would have other pretty midfielders in his pocket. Farney (Monaghan) - Posts: 801 - 23/11/2021 16:52:26 2390484 Link
Replying To Rockies: "Mick O' Connell no doubt was a class footballer. However, he didn't relish physical confrontation, and was eclipsed by Willie Byrne of Offaly in both 1972 All Ireland's. For that reason, I would go for Brian Mullins and Jack O' Shea!" Mick O Connell was at the end of his time in 1972. That's the main reason he was eclipsed in those games. Mick O Connell in his prime was a better player than Willie Bryan . Mick O Connell played in his first All Ireland final in 1959. Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 23/11/2021 16:55:50 2390486 Link
Replying To Ban: "I'm sure Jack and Paul enjoyed the majority of their Dublin career! They are only two of that great side so I doubt if playing for Dublin was and is as miserable as you make it out. I've heard of many great celebration stories from Dublin players down through the recent years.. I guess you see what you want to see.. Maybe there should be a tread for greatest midfielder who played with a team that had a great social life. I might make that one myself..!" Well I haven't seen those great stories of celebration you speak of but I did read those interviews I mentuoned. Anyway back to what I was saying, if lads from the 80s/90s were playing now then I'd be confident they'd be as good if not better than what we have now., but I dpubt they'd all enjoy it as much as they enjoyed their own eras. KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 23/11/2021 19:34:41 2390510 Link
Replying To Greengrass: "Mick O Connell was at the end of his time in 1972. That's the main reason he was eclipsed in those games. Mick O Connell in his prime was a better player than Willie Bryan . Mick O Connell played in his first All Ireland final in 1959." Yes he was 35 in the 1972 Finals so heading towards the end of his career. endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2156 - 23/11/2021 20:24:36 2390514 Link
Replying To Farney: "If you wanted to win a game then Darragh O'Se , Not the prettiest to the eye like Maurice.. but would guarantee you control of the middle of the pitch. Like Jacko.. he was a warrior and would have other pretty midfielders in his pocket." I agree with you about Darragh, Farney, he was indeed a warrior. Which reminds me of a man he had some great battles with, Limerick's John Galvin. A fine midfielder, and probably one of the best players never to have won an All-Star, which was a shame. midlands (Westmeath) - Posts: 541 - 23/11/2021 21:00:34 2390519 Link
Replying To Farney: "If you wanted to win a game then Darragh O'Se , Not the prettiest to the eye like Maurice.. but would guarantee you control of the middle of the pitch. Like Jacko.. he was a warrior and would have other pretty midfielders in his pocket." Dara is up there for sure. He was also a great man to catch a free in his own goalmouth. Kevin Walsh has been mentioned for his performances in '98 and '01 against Niall Buckley and John McDermott. He was also brilliant in the '00 drawn final against Kerry and Dara Ó Sé. He turned the game in our favour when he was introduced. Up until that point we were struggling badly, but then dominated possession for most of the rest of the match and had plenty chances to win it. A lot of that was down to Kevin's influence in midfield. It's definitely one that got away. There's no doubt that Kevin performed on the big days against high quality opponents. WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2037 - 23/11/2021 21:07:35 2390521 Link
Replying To BarneyGrant: "Well one of the greatest midfielders of them all beyond doubt was Brian Mullins and he said that Fenton was up there with the best of them them." Joe Cassells was able to get the better of Mullins, even as minors Joe won their battle. MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1062 - 23/11/2021 21:27:59 2390522 Link
Tommy Murphy of Laois was midfield on Team of the Millennium ahead of the likes of Jack O Shea. My Dad said he was incredible. In modern times I think Marty McGrath of Fermanagh was a standout player in my opinion. Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 765 - 23/11/2021 21:31:15 2390523 Link
Jack O Shea All day every day. The greatest hunchback (Antrim) - Posts: 56 - 23/11/2021 22:04:22 2390525 Link
Replying To icehonesty: "Just from who I've seen: Jack O'Shea, Liam Hayes, Liam McHale, John McDermott, Niall Buckley, Dara O Se, Shea Fahy, Paul McGrane." jonnie mcdermott of taghmon? Stmunnsriver (Wexford) - Posts: 2840 - 24/11/2021 08:28:53 2390531 Link
Replying To KingdomBoy1: "Aye but the lads in the 90s were able to enjoy them selves and have a social life. I read that Paul mannions club coach said he won't play for dublin again because he's enjoying his life now. Jack mccafferty spoke of his disgust at having to go to a replay in 2019 as he just wanted it all to be over. If the lads in the 80s/90s done what lads are doing today they'd have been just as good if not better but I bet they wouldn't swap." nothing to do with the topic mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1799 - 24/11/2021 09:02:27 2390532 Link
Replying To KingdomBoy1: "Aye but the lads in the 90s were able to enjoy them selves and have a social life. I read that Paul mannions club coach said he won't play for dublin again because he's enjoying his life now. Jack mccafferty spoke of his disgust at having to go to a replay in 2019 as he just wanted it all to be over. If the lads in the 80s/90s done what lads are doing today they'd have been just as good if not better but I bet they wouldn't swap." Agree there KingdomBoy1, Conor Mc Kenna spoke on a Podcast about club matches in Tyrone not over until week before Christmas. He said himself unless something changes he might walk earlier than you'd think. No enjoyment in that. Armagh club putting forward motion for All club matches to be played on Friday or Saturday night, good idea , to me it gives the players a chance to go out Saturday. Seasons long enough. Getting to players in 80s/90s only difference is training. Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2006 - 24/11/2021 11:02:34 2390556 Link
It's very hard to pick out the greatest midfielder as there were so many. Also it's hard to compare eras as it's a different game now. Players are fitter now but a midfielder nowadays gets picked out by his keeper alot with kickouts whereas years ago the Goalie kicked the ball out as far as possible and the midfielders battled against each other in the air a d it was brilliant to watch. Also the all ireland winners get more acclaim but I've seen some brilliant midfielders that never one all Irelands like Gary Brennan (Clare) John Galvin (Limerick) Brendan Murphy (Carlow) Séamus Ó Hanlon (Louth) Liam Austin (Down) Plunkett Donaghy (Tyrone) Dermot Earley snr and jnr. All ireland winners then for me the tops were Jacko Shea Brian Mullins Brian Fenton Anthony Tohill Gerry McEntee Joe Cassells John McDermott Daragh Ó Sé Kevin Walsh Seán Cavanagh. CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3674 - 24/11/2021 11:18:32 2390559 Link
Replying To mickcunningham: "nothing to do with the topic" Mick I was responding to Ban who was comparing players from the past to the present, am I not allowed to respond to other posters? Are we not allowed to debate eachothers selections? Or is this just a poll where we say a name? Jacko. KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 24/11/2021 11:29:28 2390563 Link
Replying To Malonemagic: "Tommy Murphy of Laois was midfield on Team of the Millennium ahead of the likes of Jack O Shea. My Dad said he was incredible. In modern times I think Marty McGrath of Fermanagh was a standout player in my opinion." Maybe kingdombhoy might tell you what became of Tommy Murphy :-) BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2525 - 24/11/2021 11:48:51 2390570 Link