I'm a Horlicks man Horse!

JayoCluxton (Dublin) - Posts: 2688 - 17/10/2008 10:45:03    121062

Easy, lads! The editor seems to have lifted my response off but, as I pointed out, my tongue was firmly wedged in cheek on that comment. The point I was making was that he managed to be possibly our greatest sportsperson despite of his best efforts to destroy himself with drink and the celebrity lifestyle and waste his talent. It's hard to convey the tone of your comments on these posts at times

Naomh Ultan Abú (Donegal) - Posts: 298 - 17/10/2008 11:08:37    121101

Agree with most comments here, Sonia and john treacy had similar careers, both silver medallists in olympics and gold in cross country. Sean Kelly lasted longer and was more consistent than roche. Barry McGuigan fought the best and won unlike collins. Henry Shefflin surely has matched all DJs feats at this stage. Aiden O Brien could break a world record this year so he deserves a mention. Harrington is a true star in every sense of the word, O driscoll in rugby was the best on theplanet for two or three years and is still not bad. Brady was Irelands first true soccer star, did it in England and Italy. mcGrath and Keane also brilliant. alex Higgins was the best for a period. Tom Brady best quarter back of this decade, mullahoran blood in him, we've claimed less irish than him in the past.

bananapublican (Leitrim) - Posts: 878 - 17/10/2008 11:11:58    121105

WELL THEN JAYO GIVE US YOUR EXPERT OPINION

biggrif (Donegal) - Posts: 8 - 17/10/2008 11:12:17    121107

Keep diggin Naomh Ultan........... no - thats fair enough lad.

JayoCluxton (Dublin) - Posts: 2688 - 17/10/2008 11:13:12    121108

No one mentioned AP McCoy yet.

Derry_ledd (Derry) - Posts: 2093 - 17/10/2008 11:19:25    121119

Ok for me it has to be Graham Geraghty. The guy is a GAA superstar, has lifted Sam for his county and has won games on his own in the past. He has scored some of the greatest scores ever seen in Croke Park. He went to Arsenal and blew away alll the professionals with his fitness and proved his bottle - despite intense intimidation - against the Aussies. GG for me!

JayoCluxton (Dublin) - Posts: 2688 - 17/10/2008 11:40:11    121147

The question is Jayo; Is he better than Pele, Maradona, Mohammad Ali, Eddy Merckx, Michael Johnson and all those greats?

Loyal2TheRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 4522 - 17/10/2008 11:48:04    121154

THE BOXER FROM COBH
Ver, his name was Jack Doyle. The singer/songwriter (also a Corkman) Jimmy McCarthy imortalised him in a song called The Contender. Doyle was a loveable handsome rogue from a large Cobh family. Was not a stylish boxer but could take a lot of punches to give a good one back. Also made a name for himself as a singer in the hall's around Ireland & UK. Unfortunately, he had an unhealthy fondness for the demon drink and died a pauper. A larger than life character in every sense of the word.

THE OBSERVER (None) - Posts: 112 - 17/10/2008 12:12:37    121189

For consistent brilliance over a sustained period, Sean Kelly would be my number 1, number 1 for 5 years in a row or something. Sonia O'Sullivan was in a similar league, actually went years unbeaten over 3000m, so disappointing that she never won Olympic gold, robbed of a medal in 1992, and robbed again in 2000 by another suspect character, Szabom should still have won anyway.
Other than those 2, Stephen Roche, Harrington, Steve Collins, Pat O'Callaghan and Ron Delany deserve a mention.

awhtayto (Kilkenny) - Posts: 21 - 17/10/2008 13:29:57    121266

Glenn Ryan......Pure Legend

Willie Nelson (None) - Posts: 972 - 17/10/2008 13:53:36    121287

Loyal2TheRoyal
County: Meath
Posts: 847

121154 The question is Jayo; Is he better than Pele, Maradona, Mohammad Ali, Eddy Merckx, Michael Johnson and all those greats?
Yes. Neither of the above won an All Ireland medal.

Real Kerry Fan (None) - Posts: 2957 - 17/10/2008 14:14:03    121313

Loyal, RKF - Already posted that he's better than them all put together but it fell foul of the censor's axe. Must remember not to use swear words such as 'better' 'all' and 'put' and 'together' !!!!!

JayoCluxton (Dublin) - Posts: 2688 - 17/10/2008 14:27:15    121334

Brian O'Driscoll, most gifted rugby player on the planet!!!!

JONNNY (Kerry) - Posts: 61 - 17/10/2008 14:44:14    121358

Nearly had forgotten Pat Spillane, he represented ireland in the International superstars series. A competition for all rounders. He is the greatest.

bananapublican (Leitrim) - Posts: 878 - 17/10/2008 14:50:50    121367

Many cyclists are involved in a tainted sport and can therefore not be included. Read rough ride by Paul Kimmage Its a disgrace! There are people in jail with more integrity

87LK100 (Limerick) - Posts: 65 - 17/10/2008 14:52:22    121371

Roy Keane definitely. What a legend of a man. Small in stature but huge in heart - the typical Fighting Irish character (of which there are not too many). Wasn't typically Irish by accepting second place, showed that Irish people want and can be at the top also. Something which Harrington has started to finally do, and which Barry McGuigan did.
There is a story of Keiran McGeeney and Roy Keane meeting at the revolving doors of a Dublin hotel. They kind of nodded at eachother.. Keane went back into the hotel to talk to him - both were embarressed to be in eachothers presence - similar characters - said to be good friends since.

Brolly (Monaghan) - Posts: 4472 - 17/10/2008 15:26:06    121421

Chisty Brown savage left foot.

DABLACKSPOT (Westmeath) - Posts: 551 - 17/10/2008 15:31:31    121431

For me, it would be George Best, ahead of Padraig Harrington, Vincent O'Brien, Ronnie Delaney and Christy Ring (in no order).

I can't see how anyone could rate Roy Keane above Best. In his prime, Keane was one of the top 10-20 players in the world, whereas Best was one of the greatest of all time. Georgie had everything, and although he only shone briefly, people still eulogise about him today. They won't be doing the same about Keane in 40 years time.

As for the others, O'Brien was a phenomenon as both a flat and jumps trainer, and his legacy is still dominating horse racnig today. Harrington has won 2 majors in a sport with huge participation numbers, while Ring's achievements in our national game will always be remembered in folklore.

I'd rate Delaney ahead of Coughlan or O'Sullivan, as he won an olympic gold. Sonia was perhaps the most naturally gifted irish athlete of all time but, despite a very impressive medal haul, she didnt win as much as her talent suggests she should have. She was the outstanding middle distance runner in the world for 6-7 years, yet never won an olympic gold at any of her distances.

Although I'm a boxing fan, I have to admit that Collins was a strong but very average fighter, who had a brick of a chin but with little skill or power. McGuigan was much better, but his only world title reign lasted only 2 successful defences, and he was beaten by a journeyman.

The cyclists? Well, I'd have Kelly ahead of Roche, as he was the more complete all-rounder, and won many more titles in his career, and cycling is not all about the maillot jaune. Having said that, I couldn't rate either of them the greatest, as there has been a shadow hanging over cycling for decades, and it would be naive to assume that our men were more pure than just about every other top cyclist in that time.

Thomas Clarke (Tyrone) - Posts: 1002 - 17/10/2008 16:12:02    121473

I'd say Padraig Harrington myself and I'm not even all that much of a golf man. His professionalism, his consistency, his conduct on and off the course, his pride for his country and most importantly his achievments which speak for itself..

But sure trying to agree on this is akin to trying to agree on the nicest choclate bar!!

banner_boy (Clare) - Posts: 1285 - 17/10/2008 17:42:26    121546