National Forum

David Clifford GOAT

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There is no doubt Clifford has all the skills to be the greatest corner forward of all time.
I don't think he is anywhere near being in the conversation for greatest forward of all time.

The best forward isn't always the best finisher.

Some of the greatest forwards played at half forward.

Seán O'Neill, Seán Purcell, Pat Spillane, Greg Blaney, Trevor Giles, Larry Tompkins

Of the inside forwards
Mikey Sheehy, Colm Cooper, David Clifford, Matt Connor, Mickey Kearins, James McCartan Snr. , Jimmy Keaveney, David Clifford (likely to be the best of this bunch by the time he retires)

But for me, you have to look at those all rounders who could play inside and "on the 40"

Maurice Fitzgerald, Michael Murphy, Padraig Joyce and Peter Canavan for substance - Diarmuid Connolly and Ciaran McDonald for style

Peter Canavan was probably the only one who could play at every position and still roast the best defender in the that position and always tough enough to fight his way out of a corner if needed.

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1241 - 03/03/2025 09:32:53    2594341

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "There is no doubt Clifford has all the skills to be the greatest corner forward of all time.
I don't think he is anywhere near being in the conversation for greatest forward of all time.

The best forward isn't always the best finisher.

Some of the greatest forwards played at half forward.

Seán O'Neill, Seán Purcell, Pat Spillane, Greg Blaney, Trevor Giles, Larry Tompkins

Of the inside forwards
Mikey Sheehy, Colm Cooper, David Clifford, Matt Connor, Mickey Kearins, James McCartan Snr. , Jimmy Keaveney, David Clifford (likely to be the best of this bunch by the time he retires)

But for me, you have to look at those all rounders who could play inside and "on the 40"

Maurice Fitzgerald, Michael Murphy, Padraig Joyce and Peter Canavan for substance - Diarmuid Connolly and Ciaran McDonald for style

Peter Canavan was probably the only one who could play at every position and still roast the best defender in the that position and always tough enough to fight his way out of a corner if needed."
Gooch played some of his best football at 11.

Thinking his performance in 2013 semi final

Never saw Murphy as an 11 playmaker more an 8 or 14 similar to Donaghy or Tommy Walsh he's a better player than both.

Stephen O'Neill is another I'd add

jm25 (Galway) - Posts: 1363 - 03/03/2025 10:15:54    2594352

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "Where did I suggest he scored almost as much from play? I didn't even hint at it because it would be stupid."
Why did you mention it then?

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1513 - 03/03/2025 11:48:01    2594387

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Replying To oneoff:  "Why did you mention it then?"
Eh because his record from play was questioned. I said go look it up. It holds up against any of the top forwards who were also free takers. But you know that already you just have an axe to grind and don't like O Connor.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8273 - 03/03/2025 11:55:01    2594391

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "Eh because his record from play was questioned. I said go look it up. It holds up against any of the top forwards who were also free takers. But you know that already you just have an axe to grind and don't like O Connor."
By who?

Classic Mayo the world is always out to get ye isn't it?

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1513 - 03/03/2025 14:07:19    2594438

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Replying To oneoff:  "By who?

Classic Mayo the world is always out to get ye isn't it?"
Lol Lol.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8273 - 03/03/2025 14:50:02    2594451

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C'OC is one of the finest dead-ball players of all time, but he's no Paul Flynn

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 03/03/2025 15:25:35    2594462

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "Lol Lol."
What's so funny?

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1513 - 03/03/2025 18:14:44    2594535

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It's like the ballon D'or in so much as attacking players always seem to get the award and the title of the best player. Maldini was better at defending than any forward was ever at attacking and he never won a ballon D'or.

The greatest GAA player of all time is not David Clifford, and Matt Connor was a better forward than him.

IMO- I cannot separate Mick O'Connell or John Joe O'Reilly for the moniker of the GOAT. A midfielder and a half back both awesome, astounding and infallible on the football field.

leitrim4sam (Leitrim) - Posts: 685 - 03/03/2025 19:34:43    2594550

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Replying To jimbodub:  "C'OC is one of the finest dead-ball players of all time, but he's no Paul Flynn"
Flynn made it look easy. But it didn't come easy to him.Pat Gilroy got a hold of him when he was an athlete but not the footballer he later became. Flynn worked very hard on his game and in particular on his kicking. He learned plenty about kicking too from Michael Murphy during their DCU days. A great role model and astute management from Gilroy. Few will agree but I'll argue in Cillian's case that we turned a very good twice Young Player of the Year into a freetaker. Cillian had so much more to offer as a footballer than just taking frees. He's a very good freetaker but in some games, when you know you have a Plan B good freetaker, your forwards are less encouraged and confident to try scoring from play. David Clifford is a great footballer that can take frees. Points from frees count the same as from play. Ask Dean Rock. Not a headline grabber but he played a vital role in the success of that great Dublin team.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7802 - 03/03/2025 21:01:09    2594576

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