Heard a lot of people saying Henry best player of all time. Because he is the only man to win 10 AI medals doesn't mean he automatically the best. There is a number of players who have won slightly less medals but were also great players.
He was certainly a very effective and reliable player who had a good head on his shoulders and usually made the right decisions. He usually played well in the big/ close matches.
At the same time he was not one of those players who would really excite you and have you at the edge of your seat when watching them play, players like Nickey English, Brian Wheelahan, DJ Carey, Eddie Brennan or Joe Canning.
For me Tommy Walsh was the best player of the Kilkenny team that won 4 in a row and the best hurler I can remember seeing playing (which is basically from late 80's on).
My father regards Nicky Rackard or Eddie Keher as the best he has seen.
Who would most rate as best hurler they have seen play ?

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1413 - 25/03/2015 17:43:40    1706537

For me no not quite the best. As Charlie Carter said best team player ever. His haul of medals and awards unlikely to be matched. Aside from that as a pure hurler take nothing else into the equation then no. For me in my era say from 86 on DJ and BRian Whelehan were more talented for me and there could be arguments made for JjJ and Tommy

Brianmac78 (Dublin) - Posts: 1168 - 25/03/2015 18:09:17    1706547

His success speaks for itself albeit with the greatest ever team around him. For me though I would rather watch the following players in full flight. Canning, Ken McGrath, Eoin Kelly, DJ, Tommy Walsh, Ray Cummins, Mullane.

ZUL10 (Clare) - Posts: 708 - 25/03/2015 18:32:33    1706553

I was thinking along the same lines about Henry. People have been saying he is the best ever, but how can you judge that? He was an excellent hurler but never stood out. DJ for example had that extra bit of magic and still stands out for me.

iacob (Carlow) - Posts: 67 - 25/03/2015 18:37:22    1706557

Yes cud do it all and probably did

elguapo (Meath) - Posts: 51 - 25/03/2015 18:37:55    1706558

I don't know any better - maybe Dj but I hope he stays in the game and gets to enjoy his fame.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4953 - 25/03/2015 18:48:07    1706566

I would be very slow to say anyone is the best ever.For me Shefflin was the ultimate team player, you always knew what you were going to get from him.Totally dependable, a superb competitor, a leader but the best ever? No.
Most successful? Yes.
Seeing as someone mentioned previous generations I have to add my tuppence worth, my late father reckoned the modern game was better, more skilful,faster and more high scoring than hurling back in the 40s and 50s when he started watching.His favourite non Galway hurler was Jimmy Doyle of Tipp but he said that Ring was the toughest and the opponent that you feared most.His favourite Galway hurler was Josie Gallagher from Gort but Joe Sammon, Jimmy Duggan and John Connolly were also highly rated.

Barnowl94 (Galway) - Posts: 3150 - 25/03/2015 18:55:28    1706570

Its True, when JD headed for Goal he would put the fear of God in you. However the whole Kilkenny team managed to do that without him later years.

ZUL10 (Clare) - Posts: 708 - 25/03/2015 19:00:23    1706572

The best forward I've ever seen in anyways.

Tommy for me as the best I've ever seen but then again I'm biased being a defender myself.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13795 - 25/03/2015 19:02:06    1706573

No doubt in my mine he's the greatest hurler ive ever seen he had it all and rightly will go down as the greatest of all time.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 25/03/2015 19:32:19    1706579

DJs skill levels were unbelievable and he was always capable of producing moments of pure magic in games. Atetr watching DJ you'd be in the mood to go out and have a puck around yourself. Shefflin was always more functional, big strong lad, good free taker, good leader, consistent etc.
Depends which of those characteristics floats your boat really. Id still put Tommy Walsh as the best though.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 25/03/2015 19:37:15    1706580

best i ever seen was brian whelehan no question or doubt.others i have the honour of seeing nicky english,tommy walsh,ken mcgrath,joe cooney,henry,jj,joe canning,noel dwyer,brian corcoran,declan ryan,pat carroll,martin storey,pat fox,john power,tony keady,martin hanemy and tony o sullivan best of luck to henry in retirement.as has been said the greatest team player ever maybe..

kavvie (Clare) - Posts: 505 - 25/03/2015 19:46:29    1706583

best back of all time John Doyle 8 all Ireland's 11 leagues and no back door system in his time
Best forward of all time Jimmy Doyle

tiobraidArann (Tipperary) - Posts: 362 - 25/03/2015 20:31:00    1706598

I'm delighted to have seen him in the flesh many times. He is a very very special talent and his contribution to hurling has been amazing. Even better than DJ but I don't think he's the best ever. I'd regard DJ,Tommy Walsh,Larry o gorman,Tommy dunne,Ken mcgrath,brian whelehan,Ciaran Carey,Liam dunne,eoin Kelly all among the best I've ever seen. Then there's the rackards l,o donnell,ring,mackey,kerr,hopper mcgrath etc that I'd only have reliable opinions to go on. I don't believe it's possible to compare athletes from different eras or ever pick a greatest of all time without huge debate and speculation. He's among the best I've seen but not the best.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3532 - 25/03/2015 20:31:56    1706600

He played on the greatest team of all time and he was there best player the man has scored more than anyone else in championship history , the main reason Kilkenny were so successful was cause The King was in there team, also when you think of all the terrible injuries he's gone tru and at 33 years of age against galway he took them on on his own and somehow got them a draw unbelievable hurler easily the greatest of all time. The Gooch is a great team player he's also the greatest of all time just like Henry.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 25/03/2015 20:37:57    1706606

I had the privilege of seeing Henry in action on lots of occassions.I attended the 2002,03,06,07,08,09,10,12 All Ire finals.Kilkenny happened to win 7/8 of these.They had so many quality hurlers in all lines of the pitch.In all of these years.But three of these players will go down in history as some of the greats to ever play the game.Tommy Walsh,who won All Stars in the backs,midfield and forwards.I can remember him bursting into life in the 03 final and scoring a couple of rapid fire early points from wing forward against Cork.Henry was a real leader of men.From his workrate,hooking,blocking,to his exemplary free taking,he led by example.A selfless hurler,who would always off load a pass to a better positioned colleague than look for personnel glory.His physique was like granite.Never carried an ounce of weight on his strong frame.JJ Delaney was my personnel favourite of this Kilkenny team.And any other team.A graceful wing back who was the lord of the skies.Bigger men like Dan Shanahan couldnt catch a ball on him.It was magical the way he destroyed all opponents in the air.And he had the full compliment of wristy skills to always get his clearance away.When moved to full back he made the position his own.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 25/03/2015 20:45:14    1706610

I had the privilege of seeing Henry in action on lots of occassions.I attended the 2002,03,06,07,08,09,10,12 All Ire finals.Kilkenny happened to win 7/8 of these.They had so many quality hurlers in all lines of the pitch.In all of these years.But three of these players will go down in history as some of the greats to ever play the game.Tommy Walsh,who won All Stars in the backs,midfield and forwards.I can remember him bursting into life in the 03 final and scoring a couple of rapid fire early points from wing forward against Cork.Henry was a real leader of men.From his workrate,hooking,blocking,to his exemplary free taking,he led by example.A selfless hurler,who would always off load a pass to a better positioned colleague than look for personnel glory.His physique was like granite.Never carried an ounce of weight on his strong frame.JJ Delaney was my personnel favourite of this Kilkenny team.And any other team.A graceful wing back who was the lord of the skies.Bigger men like Dan Shanahan couldnt catch a ball on him.It was magical the way he destroyed all opponents in the air.And he had the full compliment of wristy skills to always get his clearance away.When moved to full back he made the position his own.Again very few opponents got the better of him.He was a master craftsman,whos stickwork and positional sense were second to none.His last gasp hook on Seamus Callinan in last years final was an artistic thing of beauty.

It is very difficult to say who is the best hurler ever.Other great hurlers that ive had the pleasure of seeing are Joe Canning,Eoin Kelly(Tipp),Ken McGrath,Brian Whelehan,Seanie McMahon,Brian Lohan etc.All great hurlers in their own right.And players from the 60s & 70s like Jimmy Doyle and Eddie Keher and legendary Rackards from Wexford and all the way back to Ring,Lory Meagher and Mackey are giants of the game.When Cristy Ring was asked whether he was the greatest he said the game is improving all the time and the best players are yet to come.Henry is definately up their with the best.And hopefully theirs more to come.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 25/03/2015 20:58:24    1706621

For me Yes he is. Ring ,Doyle were also superb but what Shefflin has done in the modern era is phenomenal. Weights, nutration ,balancing a job the whole level of professionalism and he still is head and shoulders above the rest. His point in 2011 final when two hurls were broken across his leg, the following year against Galway in both finals. The hand pass for T J Reid in the semi v Tipp. The 2007 quater final he didn't really have his best day but worked as hard as ever. I seen him in the 2009 semi Waterford, he hit 1.14, 2006 1.13 v Clare. I could go on forever. He also recoverd from 4 serious injuries to come back for more. He was also a great winner but never a sore loser. He took the red card against cork like a man, he also congratulated tipp win in 2010 very accordingly not highlighting his injury. He was a class apart for me and he is the best I have ever seen.

222 (UK) - Posts: 844 - 25/03/2015 21:21:56    1706626

Ken mc Grath and mullane were good but lads Seriuosly on the bid days they went missing. Good players but to be great players you need to do special things on the biggest days in Croker.

222 (UK) - Posts: 844 - 25/03/2015 21:26:52    1706633

even tough i was never big fan of hurling but you would always watch it if there nothing else on or the football wasn't on, but henry shefflin

King Henry is gone from the sport loved very much which was hurling. He was an inspiration to all players young or old :) but what an amazing career he had with the cats over 16 year's :)it will be a long time before we see a great gaa hurling legend of his kind again :) all the achievements he has achieved is mind blowing , the cats will be crying there eyes out tonight, but amazing hurling carer he had , fair well henry shefflin :) ‪#‎oneofakind‬ :) ‪#‎outstandingplayer‬

Even tough im not a big of hurling, de football is more of my thing but anytime there was no football on you watch the hurling but you had to watch the hurling but shefflin is an exceptional talent for young people and older generation he could scores from anywhere, what he has achieved is amazing in his career with the cats and his club is outstanding :)

niamhyr1994 (Roscommon) - Posts: 22 - 25/03/2015 21:42:27    1706639