Best dublin player of the decade

Spiritoftheseventies

Maybe a bit soon for this but Im putting it out there. Vote for your best dublin player from 2000 to 2009 with poll attached. Any non dublin posters are welcome to contribute but only positive remarks please!

dcr22B

Senan Connell

Ciarán Whelan.




****Waits for the usual anti-Whelan diatribe from our rural friends****

Tazdedub

Darren Homan

dcr22B wrote: »

Ciarán Whelan.




****Waits for the usual anti-Whelan diatribe from our rural friends****

Paddy Christie. Sorely missed at the back.

Spiritoftheseventies

Paul Griffin

thanks. poll now up. They can say whatever they like about Ciaran, for me a great player.

TomMc

Paul Griffin

I think Stephen Cluxton was usually worth at least a goal a game to the Dubs, and on a regular basis. Over the years when Dublin eventually met the big guns in the championship, Whelan was anonymous most of the time. Standing out against lesser teams doesn't cut it, if you fail to do so when it really counts. Even Jayo who is a good if not great footballer (and a model sportsman) did it once, and has an All-Ireland medal to back it up.

Kinetic^

Paul Griffin

Cluxton. Many a time he's saved our sh!t defense.

Tazdedub

Darren Homan

Kinetic^ wrote: »

Cluxton. Many a time he's saved our sh!t defense.

HMMM, I know he has pulled off lots of saves but how many times has he caused the problem with his distribution, anyone remember the Kerry match chasing a score and he starts hanging onto the ball and then kicks it away, even on Monday the save he made was due to his poor distribution, then there was the ball that he let bounce over his head in the leinster final and lucky for him it bounced wide. Every year you can go back a game where Cluxton has made errors.

DDC1990

Dessie Farrell

Im sorry, and this isn't a jibe at Dublin fans, but how can you rate Whealan higher then some of your fantastic players. He had some fantastic flashes, but never played a full 70mins consistantly.

Jayo, the 2 Brogans, Cluxton, Paddy Christy and Conal Keaney would be ranked higher in my opinion.

He like a lot of footballers has a nasty streak in him that we see too often, but so do plenty of top players, so that wouldn't be my reason for not rating him. He was just not a top class plaer. However, he achieved hero status in the hill, so he can't have been a bad player.
He was the best player by a country mile for the Dubs on Monday... but its time to retire.


p.s I voted for Jayo. Year after year he's been written off, only to rack up some great scores. Was out of his depth against the Kerry defence on monday though. Poor way to end his career.

Tazdedub

Darren Homan

have to say that I agree about Whelan, Great servant and all but would always going missing in games for 15 - 20 minutes in each half and would let the other players would take up the slack. This tends to be over looked about Whelan.

Lemlin

Bryan Cullen

Barry Cahill. He's been the most consistent anyway.

blackbelt

Ciaran Whelan

Lemlin wrote: »

Barry Cahill. He's been the most consistent anyway.

Wasn't noted for point scoring or goal scoring ability but if you look back over the last 3 years,in a lot of games he started running up and getting scores from the wing back position.It shouldn't have been up to him to open the score for Dublin and try and settle them on Monday.

Lemlin

Bryan Cullen

blackbelt wrote: »

Wasn't noted for point scoring or goal scoring ability but if you look back over the last 3 years,in a lot of games he started running up and getting scores from the wing back position.It shouldn't have been up to him to open the score for Dublin and try and settle them on Monday.

IMO he's been Dublins best player over the past few seasons and has continually shown it.

DancingQueen:)

Dessie Farrell

This is a hard one theres so many to choose from..
Went for Jayo in the end : )

blackbelt

Ciaran Whelan

Went for Shane Ryan in the end with Barry Cahill and Alan Brogan just missing out.A lot of Leinster titles went to Dublin because he simply mopped up breaking ball,ran the pitch and fielded into the forwards thus getting the scores and minimising exposure to our dodgy defense.Was often said he was in Whelans shadow but I hardly remember Ryan having a disaster game.

He has speed,strength and drive and that won it over for me.Gilroy seriously needs to turn to Ryan,convince him to stay and include him in our plans if we are to have any chance of doing anything next year.

corny

Bryan Cullen

Barry Cahill for me. Works tirelessly, always chips in with a few scores and has consistently been Dublins best player over the last few seasons. An underrated defender too.

Paddy Christie, Whelan and Alan Brogan aren't far behind.

John The Bad

Tazdedub wrote: »

have to say that I agree about Whelan, Great servant and all but would always going missing in games for 15 - 20 minutes in each half and would let the other players would take up the slack. This tends to be over looked about Whelan.

I agree -- you could always rely on him to fade if the going got tough. Also, if things don't go his way, he would often resort to violence. Very overrated.

Spiritoftheseventies

Paul Griffin

John The Bad wrote: »

I agree -- you could always rely on him to fade if the going got tough. Also, if things don't go his way, he would often resort to violence. Very overrated.

Yes poll makes interesting reading but no arguments about current leader. Cahill I think has been excellent again for us this year and who knows may get a second all star. Of the older generation I think Farrell was a classy performer while Christie was a wonderful defender for us.
ps. as much as possible try not to zone in on Whelan and how good or bad he is.. Keep it positive. this a retrospective on some of our best players this decade.

cruiserweight

bayviewclose wrote: »

ps. as much as possible try not to zone in on Whelan and how good or bad he is.. Keep it positive. this a retrospective on some of our best players this decade.

Why? To discuss if a player was the best, great or whatever, then both positive and negative aspects of that player and their performances should be discussed IMO (Once it stays friendly that is)

Anyway back on topic, looking at the list I am not sure who I would pick to be honest. Brogan and Cluxton have the all-stars, so might be one of them. Cahill and Cullen have the potential and might be on the list for the next decade.

premierstone

My first instinct when i read the thread title ''Best Dublin player of the decade'' was Robbie Keane but then i thought about it a little bit more and tbh it has to be Brian O'Driscoll

Spiritoftheseventies

Paul Griffin

premierstone wrote: »

My first instinct when i read the thread title ''Best Dublin player of the decade'' was Robbie Keane but then i thought about it a little bit more and tbh it has to be Brian O'Driscoll

Give away sign. Its under GAA!

Pride Fighter

David Henry

Alan Brogan for me, with Cluxton a very close second.

Spiritoftheseventies

Paul Griffin

cruiserweight wrote: »

Why? To discuss if a player was the best, great or whatever, then both positive and negative aspects of that player and their performances should be discussed IMO (Once it stays friendly that is)

Anyway back on topic, looking at the list I am not sure who I would pick to be honest. Brogan and Cluxton have the all-stars, so might be one of them. Cahill and Cullen have the potential and might be on the list for the next decade.

yes appreciate that but I think Whelan's negatives have been discussed to death at this stage on other threads. I think Keaveney hit the nail on the head when he said in Wednesday's Herald that Whelan deserves an All Ireland medal for all the years of service he has given Dublin. Not sure how many people outside of Dublin appreciate Whelan worth. At the top of his game, Whelan pitched in four to five points a game for us. To my mind our best midfielder since Mullins.

Het-Field

Darren Homan

selected Paddy Christie. Ever since the first game against Tyrone in 2005 we have looked weak and insecure at number three. Even when Barry Cahill was playing there.

TomMc

Paul Griffin

bayviewclose wrote: »

yes appreciate that but I think Whelan's negatives have been discussed to death at this stage on other threads. I think Keaveney hit the nail on the head when he said in Wednesday's Herald that Whelan deserves an All Ireland medal for all the years of service he has given Dublin. Not sure how many people outside of Dublin appreciate Whelan worth. At the top of his game, Whelan pitched in four to five points a game for us. To my mind our best midfielder since Mullins.

There are a number of players around the country over the years playing with weaker counties, that never won a provincial title, never mind an All-Ireland. Had to settle for All-Stars. Unfortunately, deserving something isn't enough in sport, you have to go out and earn it. Whelan's hunger when the chips were down (to my mind at least) always seemed somewhat lacking. It is much easier to be the main man, when everyones tails are up and things are going well. Cluxton like John O'Leary was someone opposing players and fans saw as a thorn in their own side, who would come out on top more often than not, in a one and one situation. In a way most goalies would not. He gives 100% even when a game is as good as lost. Doesn't lose heart as easy as most of his team mates.

premierstone

bayviewclose wrote: »

Give away sign. Its under GAA!

Oh right sorry ammm Dotsie o'Callaghan so

waryeye

Blackbelt I'm astounded that anyone could maintain Shane Ryan has been Dublin's best player in the last ten years. Shane is a good athlete and was a naturally talented hurler but our best footballer? Never in a million years.
His best ability was scrapping for breaking ball but if you want the epitome of the modern limited Dublin footballer, I'd look no further than Ryan.
When in midfield his ability to win aerial ball was always very limited. At least Whelan was a natural fielder of the ball.
Ryan's best ploy with the ball was to charge around and look for a handpass to a colleague because he couldn't pass it very well with either foot.
His vision and awareness were to me always below par for an inter-county footballer.
And as for his pathetic scoring attempts . . .the phrase `couldn't hit a barn door' springs to mind.
Good God . . . .have we really fallen that low . . . .
To be honest, looking at the whole list was depressing. Made me realise just why we haven't won an All-Ireland in so long.
So many mediocre players.
For me, Jayo, Christie and Alan Brogan the best of the bunch.
To be fair Cluxton a very good shot-stopper but his moments of madness against Kerry . . . and Armagh still rankle too much with me.

Spiritoftheseventies

Paul Griffin

waryeye wrote: »

Blackbelt I'm astounded that anyone could maintain Shane Ryan has been Dublin's best player in the last ten years. Shane is a good athlete and was a naturally talented hurler but our best footballer? Never in a million years.
His best ability was scrapping for breaking ball but if you want the epitome of the modern limited Dublin footballer, I'd look no further than Ryan.
When in midfield his ability to win aerial ball was always very limited. At least Whelan was a natural fielder of the ball.
Ryan's best ploy with the ball was to charge around and look for a handpass to a colleague because he couldn't pass it very well with either foot.
His vision and awareness were to me always below par for an inter-county footballer.
And as for his pathetic scoring attempts . . .the phrase `couldn't hit a barn door' springs to mind.
Good God . . . .have we really fallen that low . . . .
To be honest, looking at the whole list was depressing. Made me realise just why we haven't won an All-Ireland in so long.
So many mediocre players.
For me, Jayo, Christie and Alan Brogan the best of the bunch.
To be fair Cluxton a very good shot-stopper but his moments of madness against Kerry . . . and Armagh still rankle too much with me.

Yes Ryan included not just on basis of All Star but because of his tireless running for the team over the years. I dont think anyone would fault him on that.
As for Clux, ton yes he lashed out in the Armagh game and then got caught in no mans land which led to a clinching kerry point (I'm assuming these are the two incidents you are referring too) but overall he has saved us so many times I have lost count.

Diabhal Beag

Paul Griffin

Cluxton for me. Only consistent Dub of the last decade

cruiserweight

bayviewclose wrote: »

yes appreciate that but I think Whelan's negatives have been discussed to death at this stage on other threads. I think Keaveney hit the nail on the head when he said in Wednesday's Herald that Whelan deserves an All Ireland medal for all the years of service he has given Dublin. Not sure how many people outside of Dublin appreciate Whelan worth. At the top of his game, Whelan pitched in four to five points a game for us. To my mind our best midfielder since Mullins.

Not talking about Whelan specifically, but in general to discuss how good a player was you must acknowledge his flaws as well. No point in sticking your head in the sand and saying that everything that player X did was great. Even fantastic players like Peter Canavan (just an example outside of Dublin so as not to influence any decisions ) had off days or did silly things from time to time. So asking for positive feedback only will not lead to an actual discussion of the good and bad points of each player which might lead to an answer to the question who has been the best Dublin player of the last decade IMO.

Anyway on topic, I think that Whelan is overrated, he could make a great contribution to the team but goes missing in games and goes missing at time when Dublin need him.

GAAman

Senan Connell

I am a little surprised at how many votes cluxton has been given. Yes he is a great keeper and yes he has saved us many a time. But how many times has he put us in harms way? I have lost track over the years how many times i have screamed at him for coming off his line and as a result a goal went in

Anyway on topic for me i spent some 5 minutes torn between brogan and whelan. The thing that clinched it was the fact that brogan can make or break a game but he can be inconsistent. Whereas whelan has one thing he is consistent in, fielding the ball. You put whelan against any other player with a ball in the air and nine and a half times out of ten it is whelans ball

Spiritoftheseventies

Paul Griffin

cruiserweight wrote: »

Not talking about Whelan specifically, but in general to discuss how good a player was you must acknowledge his flaws as well. No point in sticking your head in the sand and saying that everything that player X did was great. Even fantastic players like Peter Canavan (just an example outside of Dublin so as not to influence any decisions ) had off days or did silly things from time to time. So asking for positive feedback only will not lead to an actual discussion of the good and bad points of each player which might lead to an answer to the question who has been the best Dublin player of the last decade IMO.

Anyway on topic, I think that Whelan is overrated, he could make a great contribution to the team but goes missing in games and goes missing at time when Dublin need him.

Maybe so but the general consensus was that he had a good game on Monday. Not sticking my head in sand and even herald gave him a high rating (mentioning the stray elbow as an aside). But all we heard about was the stray elbow on Dublin Kerry thread and what a thug he was. All im saying its lets draw a line under the whole affair and not spend another twenty pages on the whole subject.

waryeye

I'd have considerable respect for Whelan, given his long service to the cause, and there's no doubting his fielding skills. On his day, he could compete with the best around. But his tendency to drift out of games for 20-minute spells? On some of the biggest occasions? They proved costly for us on many a day. Also had a tendency to lose the head and do silly things in front of the referee. But yes I could understand people voting for him. Certainly over the likes of Ryan and, God forbid, Conal Keaney:mad:

Dublinproud

David Henry

Alan Brogan...Whelo a close second.Cluxton too unpredictable for me and i still remember the Armagh game that he cost us and the final few mins of the Kerry game of 07.Having said that there's no better keeper in Ireland in my opinion.

DARK-KNIGHT

Alan Brogan

how about vinnie murphy?

he is the best player i have seen playing for dublin:rolleyes:

Orizio

premierstone wrote: »

My first instinct when i read the thread title ''Best Dublin player of the decade'' was Robbie Keane but then i thought about it a little bit more and tbh it has to be Brian O'Driscoll

Tristram

Dessie Farrell

Paddy　Ｃｈｒｉｓｔｉｅ　and　Ｓｈｅｒｌｏｃｋ　are　ｈｅａｄ　ａｎｄ　ｓｈｏｕｌｄｅｒｓ　ａｂｏｖｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｒｅｓｔ　imo.　Ｃｈｒｉｓｔｉｅ　was　ｉｍｍｅｎｓｅ．　Ａ　ｐｒｏｐｅｒ　ｆｕｌｌ－ｂａｃｋ　ａｎｄ　an　ｉｎｃｒｅｄｉｂｌｅ　ｌｅａｄｅｒ．　Ａ　player　who　ｃｏｕｌｄ　ａｌｗａｙｓ　ｂｅ　ｒｅｌｉｅｄ　ｏｎ　ｔｏ　ｐｅｒｆｏｒｍ．

Spiritoftheseventies

Paul Griffin

raycaulwell wrote: »

how about vinnie murphy?

he is the best player i have seen playing for dublin:rolleyes:

Yes Vinnie Murphy was a good player for Dublin but he didn't really figure as much after the 2001 game with Kerry. You could possibly put him with the nineties players. Thanks to those who made positive contributions by the way. keep them comin in!

RocketRonnie

Dessie Farrell

Toss up between Sherlock and Cluxton......
Not far behind would be Cahill and A.Brogan......

Tazdedub

Darren Homan

bayviewclose wrote: »

Yes Vinnie Murphy was a good player for Dublin but he didn't really figure as much after the 2001 game with Kerry. You could possibly put him with the eighties players. Thanks to those who made positive contributions by the way. keep them comin in!

More the 90's there Bayview. I dont think Vinny would be too impressed with saying he was an 80's player, he might hit ya a shoulder. Pity he never hit Mick Lyons one.

Spiritoftheseventies

Paul Griffin

LOL. Yes was just about to correct it when you posted it. Yes remember those two games in Thurles when he came on. Drew a huge cheer from the Dublin crowd. The shoulder Bump i think was invented by Vinnie! Yes a very good servant to Dublin. And liked well enough down in Kerry for him to spend a few years down there.

John The Bad

BayViewClose, are you for real?! How can we discuss any player's merit if we can only "keep it positive." And Whelan had a good game on Monday because the Evening Herald said so?! Ha ha ha. Whelan always had great great potential and it was rare in a game that he wouldn't make some great catches of the ball but when things got tough, he'd either fade away or swing an elbow. Remember his one contribution in last year's massacre by Tyrone? He got booked for diving! So please, if he's the best Dublin player of the decade then it's no wonder Dublin haven't won an AI since 1995.

And while talking about '95, Jayo would be my Dub player of the decade. Or Joanne Cantwell.

dats_right

Senan Connell

Farrell was definitely the best player from that list, pure class, however he's been retired quite a while now and for that reason I went with Whelo. Thought about Cluxton and to be honest I'm surprised he's so the leader so far, I mean he is only a goalkeeper and has had his fair share nightmare moments too. But Whelan has been an enormous player for us for a long, long time now, I also hope that he doesn't retire just yet as he's still the best midfielder we've got by a long way! No doubting at all that Gilroy got in entirely wrong with McConnell and Magee this year, the two lads with the greatest respect just aren't up to standard.

Alan Brogan must also be singled out for special praise, a truly top-class player as well, it's just a pity that we had too many mediocre/poor players to really challenge the top teams over the past decade.

Spiritoftheseventies

Paul Griffin

John The Bad wrote: »

BayViewClose, are you for real?! How can we discuss any player's merit if we can only "keep it positive." And Whelan had a good game on Monday because the Evening Herald said so?! Ha ha ha. Whelan always had great great potential and it was rare in a game that he wouldn't make some great catches of the ball but when things got tough, he'd either fade away or swing an elbow. Remember his one contribution in last year's massacre by Tyrone? He got booked for diving! So please, if he's the best Dublin player of the decade then it's no wonder Dublin haven't won an AI since 1995.

And while talking about '95, Jayo would be my Dub player of the decade. Or Joanne Cantwell.

John the Bad I'm all for talking about a players good and bad points but really Whelan's bad points have been magnified beyond infinity since Late monday afternoon. Im only asking for a bit of balance. Read through original Dublin Kerry thread and you will see what I am talking about.

Spiritoftheseventies

Paul Griffin

Any back to the poll. Cluxton seems to be a clear leader at this stage with Whelan just edging out Sherlock and Alan Brogan for second spot as we speak. keep the votes coming folks.

Lemlin

Bryan Cullen

bayviewclose wrote: »

Any back to the poll. Cluxton seems to be a clear leader at this stage with Whelan just edging out Sherlock and Alan Brogan for second spot as we speak. keep the votes coming folks.

The fact that those three players are at the top says alot about the problems with Dublin football tbh. Brogan is about the only one that I'd say is near being a standout player. And even then, there have been far better forwards over the decade - Stephen O'Neill, Colm Cooper, Ciaran McDonald, Stephen McDonnell, Oisin McConville and Kieran Donaghy to name but a few.

Cluxton's good display last week may have swayed the vote a bit but he's by no means a top 'keeper.

flahavaj

Bryan Cullen

Whelan - Overrated, went missing on numerous occasiosn when a so called talisman would have risen to the challenge.

Shane Ryan - No even close. Great engine, superb athelete, but in no way a natural footballer. Aways seemed happier to handpass the ball away rather than go for the scores himself ans on the occasions he did go for the score showed us why he was right not to btrust his ablilty.

I'd go for Cahill, Christie or Cluxton. Three good reliable players who never let the head drop and rarely had howlers. I'll go with Cahill, but its purely for the lack of any outstanding player. Put it this way, if you were assembling a team of the decade, none of these guys, with the exceptions of Cluxton and maybe Cahill would be within an asses roar.

Looking at that list just shows how few truly outstanding players the Duns have produced over the years. Whoever wins is really only a default winner in the absence of any outstanding candidates whatsoever.

If you did a similar poll for Kerry, Tyrone, Armagh, Cork, Mayo, Galway or even Meath for a similar time period there would be several more outstanding candidates in the running.

LeoB

Ciaran Whelan

I went for Shane Ryan in the end. followed by Paddy Christie and Jason Sherlock.

Whelan for me was far to inconsistant and would vanish when he was needed. Mind you I think he should have been played at Centre forward or Full forward. With Cluxton using his distribution so well we had little need for the orthodox midfielder. Sherlock is top class and has been really good for Dublin. Pity he didnt have a few lads around him with the same ability to read the game, he won so much ball and often was left isolated with no support.

Shane Ryan has been one of the outstanding performers of the decade not only in Dublin but in the country. His work rate was and his basic ability were top class. His only weakness was his shooting.

Lemlin

Bryan Cullen

flahavaj wrote: »

Whelan - Overrated, went missing on numerous occasiosn when a so called talisman would have risen to the challenge.

Shane Ryan - No even close. Great engine, superb athelete, but in no way a natural footballer. Aways seemed happier to handpass the ball away rather than go for the scores himself ans on the occasions he did go for the score showed us why he was right not to btrust his ablilty.

I'd go for Cahill, Christie or Cluxton. Three good reliable players who never let the head drop and rarely had howlers. I'll go with Cahill, but its purely for the lack of any outstanding player. Put it this way, if you were assembling a team of the decade, none of these guys, with the exceptions of Cluxton and maybe Cahill would be within an asses roar.

Looking at that list just shows how few truly outstanding players the Duns have produced over the years. Whoever wins is really only a default winner in the absence of any outstanding candidates whatsoever.

If you did a similar poll for Kerry, Tyrone, Armagh, Cork, Mayo, Galway or even Meath for a similar time period there would be several more outstanding candidates in the running.

I couldn't agree more myself.

Spiritoftheseventies

Paul Griffin

flahavaj wrote: »

Whelan - Overrated, went missing on numerous occasiosn when a so called talisman would have risen to the challenge.

Shane Ryan - No even close. Great engine, superb athelete, but in no way a natural footballer. Aways seemed happier to handpass the ball away rather than go for the scores himself ans on the occasions he did go for the score showed us why he was right not to btrust his ablilty.

I'd go for Cahill, Christie or Cluxton. Three good reliable players who never let the head drop and rarely had howlers. I'll go with Cahill, but its purely for the lack of any outstanding player. Put it this way, if you were assembling a team of the decade, none of these guys, with the exceptions of Cluxton and maybe Cahill would be within an asses roar.

Looking at that list just shows how few truly outstanding players the Duns have produced over the years. Whoever wins is really only a default winner in the absence of any outstanding candidates whatsoever.

If you did a similar poll for Kerry, Tyrone, Armagh, Cork, Mayo, Galway or even Meath for a similar time period there would be several more outstanding candidates in the running.

yes but this is a dublin thread. Posters from other counties are free to do their own polls.