This is a close run thing the nominees (who I have seen play) are:
Anthony Tohill
John McDermott
Paul McGrane (who I can't believe hasnt been mentioned so far)
Daragh O'Se
Kevin Walsh

I should also point out that the nominees don't contain a single clean player, all of them committing numerous dirty acts (esp against the saints from Tyrone!) but I guess that comes with the territory of midfield greatness and probably why no Tyrone player reached this list!. None of them tho compare to the no.7 selection tho, very disappointing that such a player would get the nod over Philip Jordan.

Anthony Tohill is a shoe IMO, unbelievable all round footballer, he could field, score, win the dirty ball and defend, all with the help of an elbow or two! In fairness he was partnered by another great Brian McGilligan who no doubt amplified Tohill's abilities

The 2nd choice goes to Dara O'Se, great skillful footballer who consistently out fielded and out muscled larger opponents aptly aided by a trusted knee. Also unlike Anthony done it without much help in midfield but probably in an era with less standout midfielders

So by selections are:
Anthony Tohill & Dara O'Se

omaghjoe (Tyrone) - Posts: 1191 - 13/06/2013 15:32:05    1405852

Brian mullins (my childhood hero) and jack o shea ! Subs: daragh o shea liam hayes colm mc alarney

DUBJOHN (Dublin) - Posts: 957 - 13/06/2013 15:42:23    1405867

Omaghjoe Ciaran Whelan is as good as any of them players you've named, Whelan was so unlucky to play on average Dublin teams . Whelan was an outstanding midfielder he had it all , but will never be considered a great cause he didn't win an all Ireland which is very harsh for such a talent.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 13/06/2013 15:45:02    1405870

clondalkindub
County: Dublin
Posts: 3563

1405870 Omaghjoe Ciaran Whelan is as good as any of them players you've named, Whelan was so unlucky to play on average Dublin teams . Whelan was an outstanding midfielder he had it all , but will never be considered a great cause he didn't win an all Ireland which is very harsh for such a talent.

100% agreed clondalkindub. Very surprised no one mentioned him.

ConnollyDub (Dublin) - Posts: 2007 - 13/06/2013 15:48:14    1405877

Whelan was a class act as was Paul McGrane and a few more mentioned here,But the best ever hands down is Darragh

shea (Kerry) - Posts: 409 - 13/06/2013 15:59:03    1405892

Clondalkin. I agree whelan was better than any of those mentioned by omagh. And tbh his continuing attack on a player who was never booked is getting tiring.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 13/06/2013 16:02:09    1405893

Brian Mullens and the incomparable Jack O Shea.

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6200 - 13/06/2013 16:03:34    1405895

ConnollyDub
County: Dublin
Posts: 1292

1405877
clondalkindub
County: Dublin
Posts: 3563

1405870 Omaghjoe Ciaran Whelan is as good as any of them players you've named, Whelan was so unlucky to play on average Dublin teams . Whelan was an outstanding midfielder he had it all , but will never be considered a great cause he didn't win an all Ireland which is very harsh for such a talent.

100% agreed clondalkindub. Very surprised no one mentioned him.
____________________
Yes thats right, not even clondalkindub when making his selection.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 13/06/2013 16:08:00    1405898

O'Se and Tohill, these were the first midfielders who popped into my head when I first saw this thread so I'll stick with them.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 13/06/2013 16:09:41    1405900

Jack O'Shea is a dead cert, probably the greatest player in the history of the game.

Very tough to decide no.2 with Tohill, McDermott, WJ Padden, Mullins, both Earleys, etc. I'll go for Darragh O'Se a class act who had it all.

SeanieSense (Donegal) - Posts: 328 - 13/06/2013 16:34:38    1405914

Anthony Tohill & Brian mullins

white.n.blue (Monaghan) - Posts: 249 - 13/06/2013 16:48:53    1405929

Ciaran Whelan and Sean Cavanagh

mayoboy1 (Mayo) - Posts: 1654 - 13/06/2013 16:54:03    1405933

Yeah clondalkin whelo was super i agree ! if this post was on a dublin midfield my pairing would be whelo and big brian ! That would be some midfield combo !

DUBJOHN (Dublin) - Posts: 957 - 13/06/2013 17:08:23    1405946

Victor Sherlock, Gunner Brady, Stephen King, Ray Carolan, John McDermott, Wille Joe Padden, Liam Hayes, Gerry McEntee, Plunkett Donaghty, Sean Cavanagh, Dermot Early Snr, Jack o'Shea, Paul McShane, Tommy Murphy, Mattie McDonagh

But my vote goes to;

No.8 Brian Mullins
No.9 Darragh O'Se

ExiledCuCu (Cavan) - Posts: 296 - 13/06/2013 17:08:36    1405947

Brend; Omaghjoe named 5 players he seen play midfield so im sure he seen Whelan play and I'm making the point that Whelan was just as good as most of them, I'm not saying he's the greatest but he's easily in the top bracket of midfielders in the last decade or so.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 13/06/2013 17:21:13    1405953

Brian Mullins & Anthony Tohill.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1800 - 13/06/2013 17:40:03    1405974

Jack O Shea and the "fear laidir" Darragh O Se

Tipsy (Clare) - Posts: 7 - 13/06/2013 17:59:47    1405990

jack o shea and dara o se

as_ky (Kerry) - Posts: 535 - 13/06/2013 18:07:04    1405998

Mick oConnell and Jacko shea

chicago09 (Kerry) - Posts: 694 - 13/06/2013 18:30:41    1406014

Anthony tohill , Dermot Early snr

97Cavans (Cavan) - Posts: 452 - 13/06/2013 19:00:01    1406041