Would this team beat Kerry???

Tomthepost

The Sunday World published a team of the best current players not to win an All-Ireland.
Would this team beat Kerry? Who would make the Kerry team??
1: Cluxton (Dublin)
2: Karl Lacey (Donegal)
3: Graham Canty (Cork)
4: Kevin McCloy (Derry)
5: Damien Freeman (Monaghan)
6: Ger Spillane (Cork)
7: Kevin Cassidy (Donegal)
8: Ciaran Whelan (Dublin)
9: Nicholas Murphy (Cork)
10 Ross Munnelly (Laois)
11: Ciaran McDonald (Mayo)
12: Alan Brogan (Dublin)
13: Dessie Dolan (Westmeath)
14: Paddy Bradley (Derry)
15: Matty Forde (Wexford)

blackbelt

I'd have my reservations over Canty in defense and Munnelly and McDonald in the forward line.

Here is the team I'd choose/amend from the list

Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)
Kevin McGuckin (Derry)
Ross McConnell (Dublin)
Kevin McCloy (Derry)
Dereck Heavin (Westmeath)
Brian McGuigan (Tyrone)
Kevin Cassidy (Donegal)
Ciaran Whelan (Dublin)
David Duffy (Westmeath)
Nicholas Murphy (Cork)
Daniel Goulding (Cork)
James Masters (Cork)
Alan Brogan (Dublin)
Stephen McDonnell (Armagh)
Mossy Quinn (Dublin)

Subs:

John Doyle (Kildare)
Mattie Forde (Wexford)
Shane Ryan (Dublin)
Jason Sherlock (Dublin)
Joe Diver (Derry)

Manager: Tomas O Flatharta

cruiserweight

blackbelt wrote: »

I'd have my reservations over Canty in defense and Munnelly and McDonald in the forward line.

Here is the team I'd choose/amend from the list

Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)
Kevin McGuckin (Derry)
Ross McConnell (Dublin)
Kevin McCloy (Derry)
Dereck Heavin (Westmeath)
Brian McGuigan (Tyrone)
Kevin Cassidy (Donegal)
Ciaran Whelan (Dublin)
David Duffy (Westmeath)
Nicholas Murphy (Cork)
Daniel Goulding (Cork)
James Masters (Cork)
Alan Brogan (Dublin)
Stephen McDonnell (Armagh)
Mossy Quinn (Dublin)

Subs:

John Doyle (Kildare)
Mattie Forde (Wexford)
Shane Ryan (Dublin)
Jason Sherlock (Dublin)
Joe Diver (Derry)

Manager: Tomas O Flatharta

Is this not players to have not won an All-Ireland. McDonald and McGuigan have all-ireland winners medals

Tomthepost

Not only that but the team is a joke.
Ross McConnell and Mossy Quinn get really like.
Who is David Duffy?
Obviously played well in Division '2' Final.
Funny though I was thinking the only change I would make would be Martin Flanagan of westmeath for Ciaran 'I like hitting people' Whelan

MementoMori

Would this team beat Kerry???

---

Don't know if they would beat Kerry but I'm sure it would be a great game

As to whether or not they would make the Kerry team

1: Cluxton (Dublin) - Don't think so - matter of prefernece with gks and Cluxton has never really impressed me
2: Karl Lacey (Donegal) - Yes
3: Graham Canty (Cork) -Yes (when fit)
4: Kevin McCloy (Derry) - Yes
5: Damien Freeman (Monaghan) - At number 7 - Marc O Se a number 5
6: Ger Spillane (Cork) -
7: Kevin Cassidy (Donegal) - Would have Kevin at 6 and Tomas O Se at number 7
8: Ciaran Whelan (Dublin) - See below
9: Nicholas Murphy (Cork) - Would think he'd be the second midfielder with Dara
10 Ross Munnelly (Laois) - Nope see below
11: Ciaran McDonald (Mayo) - Would play him in the centre along with Paul Galvin and Declan 'O'Sullivan on the wings
12: Alan Brogan (Dublin) - Nope see above
13: Dessie Dolan (Westmeath) - For the free kickking Bryan Sheehan gets it ahead of him
14: Paddy Bradley (Derry) - Would have to be ahead of Donaghy currently
15: Matty Forde (Wexford) - Sorry Mattie but the Gooch wins this one

---

Combined Team

1: Diarmuid Murphy (Kerry)
2: Karl Lacey (Donegal)
3: Graham Canty (Cork)
4: Kevin McCloy (Derry)
5: Marc O Se (Kerry)
6: Kevin Cassidy (Donegal)
7: Tomas O Se (Kerry)
8: Dara O Se (Kerry)
9: Nicholas Murphy (Cork)
10 Paul Glavin (Kerry)
11: Ciaran McDonald (Mayo)
12: Declan O'Sullivan (Kerry)
13: Bryan Sheehan (Kerry)
14: Paddy Bradley (Derry)
15: Colm Cooper (Kerry)

Tomthepost

Bit harsh on Marc O Se (Footballer of the Year) and Padraig Reidy i think. As a unit I think the Kerry full-back line is the best in the country.

Mossin

The fact that all lists omit Joe Higgins [Laois] means the whole thing is a joke tbh. Tom Kelly too, when fit they are two of the country's finest footballers!!

kaimera

They retired from Inter county..that why

WhatsGoingOn

kaimera wrote: »

They retired from Inter county..that why

I think they 'unretired' themselves last week. Joe Higgins definitely did anyway.

kaimera

WhatsGoingOn wrote: »

I think they 'unretired' themselves last week. Joe Higgins definitely did anyway.

hmm..news to me.

ty

Mossin

Laois’ championship squad in full is: Michael Nolan, Conor Gorman, Cathal Ryan, Mark Timmons, Joe Higgins, Cahir Healy, Tom Kelly, Darren Rooney, Padraig McMahon, Peter O’Leary, David Murphy, Rory Stapleton, Aidan Fennelly, Brendan Quigley, John O’Loughlin, Padraig Clancy, Kevin Meaney, Noel Garvan, Ross Munnelly, Brian McCormack, Billy Sheehan, Paul Lawlor, Colm Kelly (Stradbally), Colm Kelly (St. Joseph’s), Michael John Tierney, Barry Fitzgerald, Colm Parkinson, Paul Dunne, Donie Brennan, Barry Brennan, Scott Conroy.

blackbelt

Tomthepost wrote: »

Not only that but the team is a joke.
Ross McConnell and Mossy Quinn get really like.
Who is David Duffy?Obviously played well in Division '2' Final.
Funny though I was thinking the only change I would make would be Martin Flanagan of westmeath for Ciaran 'I like hitting people' Whelan

Mossy Quinn is a great player.He can score points,goals,take 45 and free kicks.3 Leinster titles and 2 semi-finals appearances,a Dublin Club Senior Championship Medal and Trophy,a Leinster Club Senior Championship and of course an All Ireland Club Championship medal and cup......tell me to get real yeah?:rolleyes: The guy is on fire and I'm predicting this year will be his best so far.I think Kerry would welcome him on board and I think he'd play a vital role in beating a Kerry team.

Ross McConnell is a good defender and beat Donaghy in the air last year.Not many people can actually do that.Serious potential that will be fulfilled as his career progresses.

David Duffy is a towering Westmeath midfielder and was largely responsible for Westmeaths success in Division 2.A lot of people seem to forget that or don't realise it.Of course I wouldn't expect you to know much about him seen as his best performances in the league were not televised and I do believe fans are praising Flanagan as if he was the one responsible.He is to a certain degree but Duffy was crucial until he went off injured against Monaghan.Westmeath struggled and fell without him in the O Byrne Cup.If you knew anything,he was injured for the Division 2 playoff but Flanagan came in and did really well but Flanagan is dogged with injuries.It would only be a matter of time before he calls it quits again in my opinion.

Ciaran Whelan is a seasoned veteran and one of the best midfielders in the country.You seriously think you'd drop him or he's no good because he "likes hitting people" come on thats an obvious cop out.If I had to replace him I'd replace him with Ryan for the breaking balls and kick-passing,Fennell for his aerial skills and Joe Diver likewise to play alongside Duffy/Flanagan.

Tomthepost

blackbelt wrote: »

Mossy Quinn is a great player.He can score points,goals,take 45 and free kicks.3 Leinster titles and 2 semi-finals appearances,a Dublin Club Senior Championship Medal and Trophy,a Leinster Club Senior Championship and of course an All Ireland Club Championship medal and cup......tell me to get real yeah?:rolleyes: The guy is on fire and I'm predicting this year will be his best so far.I think Kerry would welcome him on board and I think he'd play a vital role in beating a Kerry team.

Ross McConnell is a good defender and beat Donaghy in the air last year.Not many people can actually do that.Serious potential that will be fulfilled as his career progresses.

David Duffy is a towering Westmeath midfielder and was largely responsible for Westmeaths success in Division 2.A lot of people seem to forget that or don't realise it.Of course I wouldn't expect you to know much about him seen as his best performances in the league were not televised and I do believe fans are praising Flanagan as if he was the one responsible.He is to a certain degree but Duffy was crucial until he went off injured against Monaghan.Westmeath struggled and fell without him in the O Byrne Cup.If you knew anything,he was injured for the Division 2 playoff but Flanagan came in and did really well but Flanagan is dogged with injuries.It would only be a matter of time before he calls it quits again in my opinion.

Ciaran Whelan is a seasoned veteran and one of the best midfielders in the country.You seriously think you'd drop him or he's no good because he "likes hitting people" come on thats an obvious cop out.If I had to replace him I'd replace him with Ryan for the breaking balls and kick-passing,Fennell for his aerial skills and Joe Diver likewise to play alongside Duffy/Flanagan.

Seriously you got a blinkered view of the game. Probably watching too much Division 2 football and too much Leinster Championship.
I was joking about Flanagan to be honest but outside of Cluxton, Whelan and possibily Alan Brogan no Dub should be near such a team.
Graham Canty is a much much much better player then Ross McConnell at this stage at least.
As for Westmeath players its a complete joke having them on the team. Nothing was ever proved in April. Especially from division 2 teams!

Tomthepost

Mossin wrote: »

The fact that all lists omit Joe Higgins [Laois] means the whole thing is a joke tbh. Tom Kelly too, when fit they are two of the country's finest footballers!!

Joe Higgins and Tom kelly are or at least were two superb players and if such a team was to be picked this time last year I would definitely have picked both. I thought however neither had that impressive a Championship last year. I can particularly remember Higgins getting a run-around not sure who by but I think it was Freeman of Monaghan.
Kelly would be my No 6 of the noughties but O'Mahony is catching up fast.

Mossin

Fair points, but Freeman gave a lot of players the run around last year, and from a Laois perspective, Higgins has been the most consistent player each year.

jethro081

Tomthepost wrote: »

Joe Higgins and Tom kelly are or at least were two superb players and if such a team was to be picked this time last year I would definitely have picked both. I thought however neither had that impressive a Championship last year. I can particularly remember Higgins getting a run-around not sure who by but I think it was Freeman of Monaghan.
Kelly would be my No 6 of the noughties but O'Mahony is catching up fast.

wasn't freeman as monaghan didn't play a leinster team last year. just most of ulster and Kerry.

Mossin

Thats right, it was the Mayo fella...corner forward...ffs what is his name??!!

Mortimer right?

Tomthepost

Yeah definitely was Mortimer alright which is a bit more worrying for Laois.

Waylander

BB, no way mossie or Ross should make that team. Canty was missing for a large part of last year, but in prior years was easily good enough to get a mention. I would say the same applies to the 2 Laois boys mentioned, but not sure I would Munnelly in there, I may have included Barry Cahill after the season he had in the Championship last year.

jethro081

What about Tomás Freeman. Surely after last year he's worth a place ahead of Mossey Quinn. Second Highest scorer in the Championship and an all-star as well. Think he'd get in any team i'd choose (including Kerry's)

Nalced_irl

Would have to agree, I wouldnt have Mossy there. As to "would they beat them", on paper yes but who knows, all depends on the day, plus they are players who havent played together before etc so maybe not. Close enough to the best 15 you could pick from the rest tho.

kaimera

By Sunday World, did ya mean Pat Spillane thought up the team?

Tomthepost

Nalced_irl wrote: »

Would have to agree, I wouldnt have Mossy there. As to "would they beat them", on paper yes but who knows, all depends on the day, plus they are players who havent played together before etc so maybe not. Close enough to the best 15 you could pick from the rest tho.

If you were to pick a best 15 outside of Kerry I think it would be very different to be honest.
McGuigan, Cavanagh would be certain of a place from Tyrone. Kernan and Stephen McDonnell from Armagh. Maybe even a case for a revitalised Padraig Joyce.

Tomthepost

kaimera wrote: »

By Sunday World, did ya mean Pat Spillane thought up the team?

Pretty sure it wasn't Spillane but a few poor calls on the team whoever picked it

MementoMori

I think BB is the only one who would have Mossy Quinn in there.

corcaigh07

cluxton, is, overrated. if anything, he cost dublin at the very least an all-ireland final appearance.

Nalced_irl

corcaigh07 wrote: »

cluxton, is, overrated. if anything, he cost dublin at the very least an all-ireland final appearance.

Cluxton has been as solid as any keeper over the last few years in fairness. He did make that one awful mistake but in my possibly biased view he has been far more or a rock in goal than any other keeper in the country. I certainly wouldnt begrudge him a place on the best of the rest team.

K-9

The best current players not to win an All-Ireland.
Would this team beat Kerry? Who would make the Kerry team??
1: Cluxton (Dublin)
2: Karl Lacey (Donegal)
3: N. McCusker (Derry)
4: Sean M. Lockhart (Derry)
5: Damien Freeman (Monaghan)
6: Ger Spillane (Cork)
7: Kevin Cassidy (Donegal)
8: Neill Gallagher (Donegal)
9: Fergal Doherty (Derry)
10 N. Muldoon (Derry)
11: Ciaran McDonald (Mayo)
12: Alan Brogan (Dublin)
13: Dessie Dolan (Westmeath)
14: Paddy Bradley (Derry)
15: Matty Forde (Wexford)

8 Donegal and Derry players!

Could swap McGuckin for Lacey and it wouldn't cause a problem. McCloy has had bother with Donaghy whereas McCusker kept him quite after 20 minutes of the League final.

On current form Doherty has to be in Midfield and I think Gallagher would play off him well.

I'd go with Muldoon and McDonald to get the right ball into Bradley and Mattie. Muldoon to be a third Midfielder and McDonald to rove.

blackbelt

I am still certain on Mossy.His achievements this year alone warrant a place for me and he has regained his form.He had an incredible game against Meath 2-3 weeks ago scoring 5 points so my opinion still stands.On a side note,I think we'll be seeing a lot more of Dermo Connolly (Captain Eerno is his nickname down in the club) in the championship.

Cluxtons heroics far outweigh his mistakes as far as I'm concerned and he is the best goalkeeper in the country.His All-Stars prove it.He only conceded 2 goals last summer and made sure Dublin hung on to beat Derry.Had it not been for Cluxton,we wouldn't have made the semi-final.3 great saves against Derry,2 against Meath and 2 against Laois...what more can anybody say really.

Supermanscat

Cluxton beleives his own hype. Soloing out the field in an all-ireland semi? To be honest the way media and these boards are dominated by dublin people i'm surprised the whole Dublin team wasn't named as a team that would beat Kerry.
Cluxton is not as good as Murphy of meath. He is class. Sure cluxton made all them saves but thats because he got the chance. I'm sure murphy would have easily made the same saves if his defence was as leaky. Saves dont't mean anything, D muphy of Kerry rarely makes saves because of he defence he has in front of him. Your defence can often be the key as to how you look. I rambling now, anyway, cluxton isn't the best keeper.

K-9

blackbelt wrote: »

I am still certain on Mossy.His achievements this year alone warrant a place for me and he has regained his form.He had an incredible game against Meath 2-3 weeks ago scoring 5 points so my opinion still stands.On a side note,I think we'll be seeing a lot more of Dermo Connolly (Captain Eerno is his nickname down in the club) in the championship.

Cluxtons heroics far outweigh his mistakes as far as I'm concerned and he is the best goalkeeper in the country.His All-Stars prove it.He only conceded 2 goals last summer and made sure Dublin hung on to beat Derry.Had it not been for Cluxton,we wouldn't have made the semi-final.3 great saves against Derry,2 against Meath and 2 against Laois...what more can anybody say really.

Fair enough. I can't see what he'd add to that team though.

blackbelt

Supermanscat wrote: »

Cluxton beleives his own hype. Soloing out the field in an all-ireland semi? To be honest the way media and these boards are dominated by dublin people i'm surprised the whole Dublin team wasn't named as a team that would beat Kerry.Cluxton is not as good as Murphy of meath. He is class. Sure cluxton made all them saves but thats because he got the chance. I'm sure murphy would have easily made the same saves if his defence was as leaky. Saves dont't mean anything, D muphy of Kerry rarely makes saves because of he defence he has in front of him. Your defence can often be the key as to how you look. I rambling now, anyway, cluxton isn't the best keeper.

Are you for real??...Cluxton is an outfield player for his club Parnellsbut he does not fancy himself as an outfield player for Dublin.These kind of comments about believing his own hype are rubbish and in truth
are nothing short of pub talk.He got the ball and was under pressure to get rid of it.The players weren't in the best positions for a kick-pass or hand pass so he kicked it up the pitch and it went wrong...simple as that.

Brendan Murphy is a good goalkeeper but he is not as good as Cluxton.In case you didn't know SupermanScat,saving shots is what the goalkeeper is there for."Saves don't mean anything"...I mean right there is the point where anybody shouldn't take you seriously.I'd doubt that Murphy would have "easily" made the same saves.

Brendan Murphy conceded the same amount of goals in one match (vs Tyrone) as Cluxton did in the whole championship.No way is Murphy better.Cluxton has All-Stars and is named on many teams for this,that and the other.

jethro081

blackbelt wrote: »

Are you for real??...Cluxton is an outfield player for his club Parnellsbut he does not fancy himself as an outfield player for Dublin.These kind of comments about believing his own hype are rubbish and in truth
are nothing short of pub talk.He got the ball and was under pressure to get rid of it.The players weren't in the best positions for a kick-pass or hand pass so he kicked it up the pitch and it went wrong...simple as that.

Brendan Murphy is a good goalkeeper but he is not as good as Cluxton.In case you didn't know SupermanScat,saving shots is what the goalkeeper is there for."Saves don't mean anything"...I mean right there is the point where anybody shouldn't take you seriously.I'd doubt that Murphy would have "easily" made the same saves.

Brendan Murphy conceded the same amount of goals in one match (vs Tyrone) as Cluxton did in the whole championship.No way is Murphy better.Cluxton has All-Stars and is named on many teams for this,that and the other.

Ok i can see you're point and the whole Saving shots doesn't mean anything is over the top but i can see what he meant. In this day and age a good keeper is one who can catch anything that comes into the square and kick the ball out well. A good shot stopper who can't do that won't be playing inter county for a good team- Fact.

as regards Cluxton though i do think he's the best in Ireland. With the exception of a few silly moments, (Kicking an Armagh forward up the Ar*e for example:D) he is mister consistency and i'd have him in my team.

kevmy

I disagree with the whole conceit of this thread. Basically that it would take a team of players from the next best counties combined to beat Kerry. Yeah Kerry are good but far from unbeatable.

Cork have bet them a couple of times over the last few years and Derry beat them a couple of weekends ago. Both Monaghan and Dublin should have beat them last year. The fact that they didn't was down to inexperience and mental/character flaw respectively. The fact is that the last couple of years there haven't been as many good teams as there was 5 years ago when Armagh, Tyrone and Kerry were all of the same quality, Kerry have pulled ahead by not getting worse as opposed to getting a hell of a lot better. Neither Dublin, Mayo, Donegal or Cork have fulfilled their potential to match Kerry but they most certainly have the talent.

I would be shocked if Kerry when the 3-in-a-row this year. I expect them to win Munster and fall at quarter/semi stage.

An Citeog

blackbelt wrote: »

I am still certain on Mossy.His achievements this year alone warrant a place for me and he has regained his form.He had an incredible game against Meath 2-3 weeks ago scoring 5 points so my opinion still stands.On a side note,I think we'll be seeing a lot more of Dermo Connolly (Captain Eerno is his nickname down in the club) in the championship.

I haven't been in the club since Paddy's Day but I really hope you're taking the piss. That's easily the worst/most cringeworthy nickname I've ever heard. Please never repeat it again!:p

As for Mossy, I'm not sure if he's good enough to get into a selection of the top 6 forwards outside Kerry when he's having trouble nailing down a place on the Dublin team. That said, I rate him extremely highly. He's the best finisher Dublin have (examples from this years club championship here and here*). I also think he's the most intelligent footballer Dublin have and feel he'll be a big player for us over the coming years, as big as Jason Sherlock has been for us. Dermo too is the most natural forward we have imo and if Pillar can get him in the right mindset, he could add a whole new dimension to Dublin's forward line.

*Watch the whole clip, it's worth it!;)

blackbelt wrote:

Cluxtons heroics far outweigh his mistakes as far as I'm concerned and he is the best goalkeeper in the country.His All-Stars prove it.He only conceded 2 goals last summer and made sure Dublin hung on to beat Derry.Had it not been for Cluxton,we wouldn't have made the semi-final.3 great saves against Derry,2 against Meath and 2 against Laois...what more can anybody say really.

For me, Cluxton is still the best goalkeeper in the country. His shot-stopping and distribution are in a league of their own (except for that faux pais he made last year against Kerry ). That said, his size means that he's not as well able to command his area as some of the bigger keepers. He also has the ability to act as an extra full back, taking the ball off his full back line and keeping it moving. That's another part of his game that's far better any other intercounty keeper imo.

Tomthepost

Supermanscat wrote: »

To be honest the way media and these boards are dominated by dublin people i'm surprised the whole Dublin team wasn't named as a team that would beat Kerry.

I got to agree with you here to be honest. This whole GAA section is getting a bit annoying at this stage.
I wish someone would create an 'All things Dublin Thread' so that we can avoid reading utter nonsense.
When I started this thread the last thing I thought I was going to create a debate on was the merits of Cluxton (On the team on merit IMO) and Mossie Quinn (who wouldn't make a second or a third 15 team of this nature IMO)
Can we stick to the topic please. Base the team picked as the team picked not what the team might be.
Thanks

cruiserweight

Tomthepost wrote: »

I got to agree with you here to be honest. This whole GAA section is getting a bit annoying at this stage.
I wish someone would create an 'All things Dublin Thread' so that we can avoid reading utter nonsense.
When I started this thread the last thing I thought I was going to create a debate on was the merits of Cluxton (On the team on merit IMO) and Mossie Quinn (who wouldn't make a second or a third 15 team of this nature IMO)
Can we stick to the topic please. Base the team picked as the team picked not what the team might be.
Thanks

You mean this thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055215454

Tomthepost

kevmy wrote: »

I disagree with the whole conceit of this thread. Basically that it would take a team of players from the next best counties combined to beat Kerry. Yeah Kerry are good but far from unbeatable.

Cork have bet them a couple of times over the last few years and Derry beat them a couple of weekends ago. Both Monaghan and Dublin should have beat them last year. The fact that they didn't was down to inexperience and mental/character flaw respectively. The fact is that the last couple of years there haven't been as many good teams as there was 5 years ago when Armagh, Tyrone and Kerry were all of the same quality, Kerry have pulled ahead by not getting worse as opposed to getting a hell of a lot better. Neither Dublin, Mayo, Donegal or Cork have fulfilled their potential to match Kerry but they most certainly have the talent.

I would be shocked if Kerry when the 3-in-a-row this year. I expect them to win Munster and fall at quarter/semi stage.

It is not a team of the players from the 'next best counties ' but a team of players that have never won an All-Ireland medal. This means pretty much no players from Tyrone or Armagh and a few more players from Galway and Meath can't be included.
IMO Kerry would beat the team published and if you picked it as a combined team I would have 9 Kerry players on it.
If a 'next bes counties' team were to play Kerry I'm sure the Kingdom would be well beaten.
I agree Kerry might have not got much better in the last few years and won two softish All-Irelands because Armagh and Tyrone have fallen off the wagon for the past couple of years but all the other counties you have mentioned above have proved zilch.
Few All-Ireland Champions have 'Mental / Character flaws' Kerry certainly don't as they proved against Monaghan last year.
'Should have been beaten by Dublin last year'
Good joke:D

Supermanscat

What i meant to say was that saves don't mean everything!
I think cluxton is great keeper but just not the best, or maybe i'm trying to look past him because i'm sick of the whole dublin thing. No wonder everyone is against the Dubs with the way this site and the media is dominated by them. The all-stars are done wrong too but i'll start another thread on that again.
I think cluxton is good but the saves dont' mean he's great.
Anyway good luck to everyone but dublin this year

Waylander

kevmy wrote: »

I disagree with the whole conceit of this thread. Basically that it would take a team of players from the next best counties combined to beat Kerry. Yeah Kerry are good but far from unbeatable.

Cork have bet them a couple of times over the last few years and Derry beat them a couple of weekends ago. Both Monaghan and Dublin should have beat them last year. The fact that they didn't was down to inexperience and mental/character flaw respectively. The fact is that the last couple of years there haven't been as many good teams as there was 5 years ago when Armagh, Tyrone and Kerry were all of the same quality, Kerry have pulled ahead by not getting worse as opposed to getting a hell of a lot better. Neither Dublin, Mayo, Donegal or Cork have fulfilled their potential to match Kerry but they most certainly have the talent.

I would be shocked if Kerry when the 3-in-a-row this year. I expect them to win Munster and fall at quarter/semi stage.

Think you are being harsh on Kerry here Kev. The fact is that they rarely lose the likes of those matches against Monaghon and Dublin last year. Often they have only had one competitiive match by the time the All Ireland series kicks off whereas all the other teams have had several and are already firing on all cylinders.

I would fancy Kerry to win the Championship this year, although not neccessarily to win Munster, Corkl might give them a scare. I think they are a good distance better than every one else.

kevmy

Tomthepost wrote: »

It is not a team of the players from the 'next best counties ' but a team of players that have never won an All-Ireland medal. This means pretty much no players from Tyrone or Armagh and a few more players from Galway and Meath can't be included.
IMO Kerry would beat the team published and if you picked it as a combined team I would have 9 Kerry players on it.

That's my point though you reckon that a team made from players who haven't won an AI couldn't beat Kerry at the moment. I think that's preposterous. Some of the best players in the country haven't won AI. Forde, Browne, McDonald, Nallen, Nicholas Murphy, Masters, Bradley, Freeman, Keaney the list goes on.

Tomthepost wrote: »

I agree Kerry might have not got much better in the last few years and won two softish All-Irelands because Armagh and Tyrone have fallen off the wagon for the past couple of years but all the other counties you have mentioned above have proved zilch.
Few All-Ireland Champions have 'Mental / Character flaws' Kerry certainly don't as they proved against Monaghan last year.
'Should have been beaten by Dublin last year'
Good joke:D

I agree that other teams haven't proved themselves but having said that I think a lot have got close enough to make sure no one should be afraid of Kerry. Apart from Mayo (twice) and Cork in the finals the haven't really walloped anyone over the last few years. They have shown they are vulnerable at the quarter final stage, especially if the y have won Munster. They're strongest card is their belief in themselves. They always think they can win. And I do think if Monaghan or Dublin had half the belief that Kerry have they would have beat them last year.

Waylander wrote: »

Think you are being harsh on Kerry here Kev. The fact is that they rarely lose the likes of those matches against Monaghon and Dublin last year. Often they have only had one competitiive match by the time the All Ireland series kicks off whereas all the other teams have had several and are already firing on all cylinders.

I would fancy Kerry to win the Championship this year, although not neccessarily to win Munster, Corkl might give them a scare. I think they are a good distance better than every one else.

As I said before they are vulnerable to defeat in the quarter because they haven't had many competitive games. Remember that the two-in-a-row hadn't been done for nearly 20 years. Every single year the previous winner was tipped and up until Kerry had failed. It took a great Kerry team to achieve this. Having said that they weren't the hardest AI's in the last 20 years and I firmly believe Kerry are beatable before the final - it would take a hell of a team to beat them in a final but you have 2 or 3 chances before then.

Think about though 2-in-a-row not achieved for 17 years now everyone is convinced they'll do 3. It's not going to be easy considering the team have been to the last 4 AI finals. It's a lot of road for any team.

Lastly I'll refer you to this
http://www.paddypower.com/bet?action=go_type&category=SPORTS&disp_cat_id=1&ev_class_id=26&ev_type_id=8811

I know where I think the value is. How many will put there money where ther mouth is?

Waylander

kevmy wrote: »

Think about though 2-in-a-row not achieved for 17 years now everyone is convinced they'll do 3. It's not going to be easy considering the team have been to the last 4 AI finals. It's a lot of road for any team.

Lastly I'll refer you to this
http://www.paddypower.com/bet?action=go_type&category=SPORTS&disp_cat_id=1&ev_class_id=26&ev_type_id=8811

I know where I think the value is. How many will put there money where ther mouth is?

Yeah but they dont have to win 3 in a row now, they only have to win this one. You can disregard all the stats for what it takes to win a 3 in a row, because they relate to a start from scratch. Kerry arent starting from scratch, they already have the first 2 in the bag.

PS I would not back Kerry against the field at those odds, that does not mean I dont think they will win it

Tomthepost

kevmy wrote: »

That's my point though you reckon that a team made from players who haven't won an AI couldn't beat Kerry at the moment. I think that's preposterous. Some of the best players in the country haven't won AI. Forde, Browne, McDonald, Nallen, Nicholas Murphy, Masters, Bradley, Freeman, Keaney the list goes on.
It took a great Kerry team to achieve this. QUOTE]

What I am saying IMO the team published in the Sunday World would not beat Kerry and Kerry would have 9 players on a combined team.
It seems like you are doing a complete U-turn by claiming that it took a great Kerry team to win 2 in a row.
To be honest a great Kerry team would probably have beaten Dublin by 15 points last year.:)

blackbelt

This thread is utter dribble in my opinion and I have to second Kevmy sentiments.I'm not attacking Tom here in case there would be any question over that but I will attack the original post.

First off,The Sunday World published this team ie the best players never to win an All Ireland.....fair enough.People will have differing opinions on who'd make that team and do have the right to express their opinions,this is a discussion forum afterall.I'd deem that far more relevent than whether they'd beat Kerry or not.However the OP asked if this team would beat Kerry.I think that question opens up the issue of amendments.Tom,you should have made that clear and distinct if it annoys you.

Now I find it rich that in subsequent posts that the OP cites his annoyance at this forum for the simple fact that there is a sizeable amount of Dublin posters expressing their opinion yet in the original post takes the indirect opportunity to brag about Kerry.Thats utter nonsense.Kerry are the best team in Ireland,thats established but we don't particularly care about Kerry.I thought the concept of this thread would have been far better if it was left down to the team itself.

Tom,you can get annoyed all you want but you opened up the can of worms yourself.

Tomthepost

blackbelt wrote: »

This thread is utter dribble in my opinion and I have to second Kevmy sentiments.I'm not attacking Tom here in case there would be any question over that but I will attack the original post.

First off,The Sunday World published this team ie the best players never to win an All Ireland.....fair enough.People will have differing opinions on who'd make that team and do have the right to express their opinions,this is a discussion forum afterall.I'd deem that far more relevent than whether they'd beat Kerry or not.However the OP asked if this team would beat Kerry.I think that question opens up the issue of amendments.Tom,you should have made that clear and distinct if it annoys you.

Now I find it rich that in subsequent posts that the OP cites his annoyance at this forum for the simple fact that there is a sizeable amount of Dublin posters expressing their opinion yet in the original post takes the indirect opportunity to brag about Kerry.Thats utter nonsense.Kerry are the best team in Ireland,thats established but we don't particularly care about Kerry.I thought the concept of this thread would have been far better if it was left down to the team itself.

Tom,you can get annoyed all you want but you opened up the can of worms yourself.

Look Im not going to waste my time replying to you in future. I honestly dont think you have a clue about Gaelic Football anyway.
I try to have unbiased opinions to be honest. Yes I am from Kerry but so what?
Kerry are the current All-Ireland Champions and it makes sense to measure the Sunday World selection against the Champions.

blackbelt

Tomthepost wrote: »

Look Im not going to waste my time replying to you in future. I honestly dont think you have a clue about Gaelic Football anyway.I try to have unbiased opinions to be honest. Yes I am from Kerry but so what?
Kerry are the current All-Ireland Champions and it makes sense to measure the Sunday World selection against the Champions.

Really??..well if you want to see how much of a clue I have about gaelic football,I'd be more than happy to invite you to any one of the games I'll be refereeing in the next few weeks.

ps I find some your recent posts on this thread a little vitriolic and what you do in your own time is your business,not mine,so we're agreed on one thing.:)