Such fantastic players have occupied this position its hard to choose nominees here. I never seen Matt O'Connor play and also I might cause a bit of controversy here saying that I don't rate Maurice Fitz that highly. He skill, ability and aesthetics as a footballer are not in doubt but I feel that he lacked other qualities to really make a team kick on. Never seen Frank McGuigan play either but from what I have heard ability wise he was better than wee Peter, might not have been the most reliable player in the world tho

My nominees are:

Stephen O'Neill
Padraig Joyce
Peter Canavan
PAddy Bradley

There is also a current crop of players who I have no doubt will prove their ability in this position such as Michael Murphy, Bernard Brogan and Michael Meehan

Yes I know controversial with 2 Tyrone nominees but both brilliant in their own right. This one like the 13 position is never in doubt, Peter the great eases to this position. Anyone doubting the football ability, mental strength and leadership of Peter Canavan should take a look at the video of Tyrone v Derry in 2005. Tyrone down to 13 men against the greatest team of the 90s at the peak of their powers and he still lead them to victory. Superhuman performance from the most effective player in the history of the game.

Peter Canavan

omaghjoe (Tyrone) - Posts: 1191 - 20/06/2013 15:14:34    1411621

Mailman98
County: Galway
Posts: 45

1411542
Canavan was great, Connor was better but the best No.14 to ever grace a football pitch was Padraig Joyce. Still the best footballer in Galway even though retired.
I cannot believe this is even being argued. There is not another forward in the history of the game who could have scored 10 points in an AI final against Darren Fay.[/B] Would be the first name on my team sheet. All the other candidates had flaws. PJ was as near to perfect as a footballer gets. The results of this whole process can be ignored if PJ is not at 14

And Joyce didnt do that either. He scored some frees and the rest from play off Mark O'Reilly. I'll agree it was a superb performance from Joyce, but he wasnt on Fay.

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6348 - 20/06/2013 15:39:37    1411641

TheGateKeeper
County: Tyrone
Posts: 1889

it is obvious who the most biased are! They also have green and gold strip!

Those Leitrim Lads will never learn!!!!

I'm finding it difficult to pick between Padraig Joyce & Canavan but i'm going to go with Peter Canavan #14

chriscart580 (Meath) - Posts: 376 - 20/06/2013 15:50:33    1411653

Peter Canavan

MichaelO (Tyrone) - Posts: 820 - 20/06/2013 16:05:50    1411668

I don't usually evert post about football at all, but feel compelled to vote for Matt Connor here.....Head and Shoulders above the rest. Have been told by many lads from counties with much stronger Football traditions than my own that he was greatest of them all. One comment from an avid Kerry follower which will always stick out in my memory was when he described Connor as a "King among men on the Football field". I had never heard that saying before then but have heard it once or twice since...but it will always be how I will think of Matt Connor

wing back (Offaly) - Posts: 116 - 20/06/2013 16:21:14    1411682

Padraic Joyce

Edged_in_Maroon (Galway) - Posts: 266 - 20/06/2013 16:23:27    1411685

Matt Connor: was unfortunate to have his career prematurely ended and could have led to Offaly more than just 1 AI in the 80's

KevHill (Antrim) - Posts: 271 - 20/06/2013 16:28:00    1411692

Peter Canavan

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 20/06/2013 16:29:03    1411693

P Joyce

lowballplease (Galway) - Posts: 935 - 20/06/2013 16:39:07    1411698

wing back
County: Offaly
Posts: 76

1411682 I don't usually evert post about football at all, but feel compelled to vote for Matt Connor here.....Head and Shoulders above the rest. Have been told by many lads from counties with much stronger Football traditions than my own that he was greatest of them all. One comment from an avid Kerry follower which will always stick out in my memory was when he described Connor as a "King among men on the Football field". I had never heard that saying before then but have heard it once or twice since...but it will always be how I will think of Matt Connor

Wing back I have seen all of the great teams who graced Croke Park from the 70s onwards and believe you me Matt Connor was the greatest forward of them all.It is a great privilege to be able to say that I saw him play and that I saw him win his All-Ireland medal. He was a genius and remains to this day a gentleman.As an Offaly man be very proud of him and of how he played the game.

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6199 - 20/06/2013 16:39:23    1411699

Matt Connor

Kepak10 (Meath) - Posts: 167 - 20/06/2013 16:42:46    1411700

Looks like P Joyce is making a comeback to Canavan, dont understand how one of them wont make it because of positions, both could play 14 or 15 but the votes are being divided, this system makes no sense to me and imo makes the whole exercise redundant,
My vote is P Joyce

Mayofc (Mayo) - Posts: 95 - 20/06/2013 16:45:24    1411702

Peter Canavan

bryanadams (Kildare) - Posts: 733 - 20/06/2013 17:03:35    1411717

Padraig Joyce

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 20/06/2013 17:18:17    1411733

Graham Geraghty

clancer212 (Meath) - Posts: 33 - 20/06/2013 17:32:09    1411747

Mailman98
County: Galway
Posts: 45

1411542 Canavan was great, Connor was better but the best No.14 to ever grace a football pitch was Padraig Joyce. Still the best footballer in Galway even though retired.
I cannot believe this is even being argued. There is not another forward in the history of the game who could have scored 10 points in an AI final against Darren Fay. Would be the first name on my team sheet. All the other candidates had flaws. PJ was as near to perfect as a footballer gets. The results of this whole process can be ignored if PJ is not at 14
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
mailman and all other Galway posters, PJ was marked by Darren in the 1st half, almost taken off and switched into the corner and picked up by Mark Reilly in the 2nd half of said AI Final. Yes he roasted Mark and effectively ended his career. But to claim he roasted Darren Fay is a fallacy

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1998 - 20/06/2013 17:58:33    1411804

Peter Canavan

white.n.blue (Monaghan) - Posts: 249 - 20/06/2013 18:09:45    1411817

Peter Canavan

MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 20/06/2013 18:11:41    1411819

Canavan.

As another poster said his best days were before the All-Ireland's in the 00's. From 92-96 he was unmarkable. Only other forward that couldn't be shut down was Matt Connor (my 13).

SeanieSense (Donegal) - Posts: 328 - 20/06/2013 18:18:22    1411826

Padraic Joyce without a shadow of a doubt has to be the best No 14,his display in the second half of the 2001 final will in my opinion will not be matched never mind beaten ever. Could and should be still involved in the Galway team.

1st..sub (Galway) - Posts: 29 - 20/06/2013 18:43:49    1411847