Best Hurling XV Of My Time!

GordonGecko

OK, I'm 29, but didn't follow that closely at a very young age, so I reckon my team covers from around the mid-90s on, say the last 15 years.

Here's what I've come up with, and I think it's a cracking team (of course, I would say that!). Reckon these boys would beat any other selection, probably of all time. Anyhoo, here's what I've come up with...

1. Donal Og Cusack


2. Tommy Walsh 3. Noel Hickey 4. Sean Og O hAilpin


5. Brian Whelehan 6. Brian Corcoran 7. JJ Delaney


8. Tommy Dunne 9. Johnny Dooley


10. Ben O'Connor 11. Henry Shefflin 12. John Mullane


13. Eddie Brennan 14. DJ Carey 15. Eoin Kelly


A few of these are clearly beyond rapproach, being all-time greats. 6 KK players might seem too few given their dominance, but it seems fair to me! Obviously there's some close calls, positional manoevring and a few noteable absentees...

ANY THOUGHTS?

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Walsh and O' Halpín at corner back? I dont know much about hurling but it seems that you dont either! What about Ollie Canning? Best Gaway hurler of the last 10 years and from what I've seen easiy the best corner back of the last few years. Surprised too about DJ. He was very good and all that, but to be put into a greatest of anyone's time is a bit much. I can think a few better FF, not least JC.

jordainius

GordonGecko wrote: »

OK, I'm 29, but didn't follow that closely at a very young age, so I reckon my team covers from around the mid-90s on, say the last 15 years.

Here's what I've come up with, and I think it's a cracking team (of course, I would say that!). Reckon these boys would beat any other selection, probably of all time. Anyhoo, here's what I've come up with...

1. Donal Og Cusack


2. Tommy Walsh 3. Noel Hickey 4. Sean Og O hAilpin


5. Brian Whelehan 6. Brian Corcoran 7. JJ Delaney


8. Tommy Dunne 9. Johnny Dooley


10. Ben O'Connor 11. Henry Shefflin 12. John Mullane


13. Eddie Brennan 14. DJ Carey 15. Eoin Kelly


A few of these are clearly beyond rapproach, being all-time greats. 6 KK players might seem too few given their dominance, but it seems fair to me! Obviously there's some close calls, positional manoevring and a few noteable absentees...

ANY THOUGHTS?

Um, what are you playing at with your corner backs??! Ollie Canning has to be at number 4 for your time span (which I'm guessing goes back to 1998 or so?)

Séan Og is not a ccorner back, neither is Tommy Walsh (a massive waste to put him there!) Johnny Dooley is out of position, I wouldn't agree with your choice of centre back either!

tom thum

GordonGecko wrote: »

OK, I'm 29, but didn't follow that closely at a very young age, so I reckon my team covers from around the mid-90s on, say the last 15 years.

Here's what I've come up with, and I think it's a cracking team (of course, I would say that!). Reckon these boys would beat any other selection, probably of all time. Anyhoo, here's what I've come up with...

1. Donal Og Cusack


2. Tommy Walsh 3. Noel Hickey 4. Sean Og O hAilpin


5. Brian Whelehan 6. Brian Corcoran 7. JJ Delaney


8. Tommy Dunne 9. Johnny Dooley


10. Ben O'Connor 11. Henry Shefflin 12. John Mullane


13. Eddie Brennan 14. DJ Carey 15. Eoin Kelly


A few of these are clearly beyond rapproach, being all-time greats. 6 KK players might seem too few given their dominance, but it seems fair to me! Obviously there's some close calls, positional manoevring and a few noteable absentees...

ANY THOUGHTS?

its a good team alright. i presume thats eoin kelly from tipp. and tony browne must have been there or thereabouts with you. im sure there will be fierce debate about that team though. roll on a good old argument. always gets the blood flowing.

daddydick

This is the my team of my lifetime...coming to you from a 26 year old who started following properly around 1995


D Fitzhenry

Mick Kavanagh B Lohan O Canning

T Walsh K McGrath B Whelehan

T Dunne C Carey

J O'Connor (Jamesie) M Storey H Shefflin

J Mullane E Kelly DJ Carey


Notable mentions to:

Brian Corcoran
Brendan Cummins/Davy Fitzgerald/Donal og Cusack
Tony Browne
Derek Lyng
Noel Hickey
JJ Delaney
Paul Flynn
Ben O'Connor
Jerry O'Connor
Diarmuid O'Sullivan
Declan Ryan

Think that team would put it up to any of them!!!

GordonGecko

The reason that T Walsh is at corner back is that I felt he and Whelehan had to be accommodated - and Walsh has played right corner, he's so versatile and is perfect for the position. m kavanagh is obviously unfortunate to miss out there.

I'll stand corrected on O Canning - I did consider him, and yes, given that it is his true position and he's had a long and consistent career, Id stick him in there. T Browne is obviously close too. But then Waterford are a "nearly" team - sorry. Corcoran in 99 was the absolute master of the position and a really classy player - wouldnt be far off an all-time team imo.

Yes, Eoin Kelly from Tipp. my full-forward line is all about goalscoring prowess. 3 great poachers. Joe Joe clearly has the ability of these guys but hasnt made a massive mark yet, as all the others have - imho!

jordainius

Can't really remember back before 1993 so the best 15 of my time in my opinion would go a little something like this;

Davy Fitzgerald; Michael Kavanagh, Brian Lohan, Ollie Canning; Brian Whelehan, Sean McMahon, Tommy Walsh; Tommy Dunne, Ciarán Carey; Henry Shefflin, Gary Kirby, Ben O'Connor; Eoin Kelly (Tip), DJ Carey, Eddie Brennan.


If I were to take off my Limerick hat I would put Johnny Dooley and Jerry O'Connor in for GK and CC.

Goalkeeper was tough to call. I wish I could have included Mark Foley and Mike Houlihan!

GordonGecko

Fair play - I could spot a Limerick leaning there alright! In fairness there was some gifted players, Kirby etc. I'm Cork so tried not to be too biased, although I went for Donal Og. Interesting to see that there's great competition for keeper. fitzhenry, davy, cummins all top keepers. I think Id have a few Clare players on my subs. MacMahon could easily slot into the team and Jamesie, Lohan. sure you could pick 2 great teams really..

eigrod

Since 1982, and with all biases seriously (not) ignored. I reckon this team would beat any other 15 ;-)

D. Og Cusack

D. Mulcahy D. O' Sullivan W. Sherlock

T. Walsh B. Corcoran S. Og O hAilpin

J. Fenton F. Cummins

DJ Carey H Shefflin T. O Sullivan

K. Hennessy JBM J. Fitzgibbon

detective

Ciaran Carey (LK) has to be in the team!!

aidan24326

Been following since the mid 80s though I'm sure there's a few players from that era I may have forgotten. Had to do a little bit of positional juggling but I haven't picked any player in a position that he couldn't comfortably play in.


1.Donal Og Cusack

2.Brian Lohan 3.Diarmuid O'Sullivan 4.Ollie Canning

5.Ken McGrath 6.Tony Keady 7.Brian Whelehan

8.Tommy Walsh 9.Joe Cooney

10.Ben O'Connor 11.Henry Shefflin 12.Johnny Dooley

13.Eanna Ryan 14.DJ Carey 15.John Mullane

It might seem biased that I've included 4 Galway players but I think a strong case can be made for all of them. Not many would pick Eanna Ryan I suppose, but he was a top class corner forward, one of the best forwards Galway have ever had.

Cuddlytroll

Diarmuid O'Sullivan at full back? Don't damage my childhood memories!

Here's my two cents anyway.

Donal Og Cusack

Willie O'Connor Brian Lohan Ollie Canning

Tommy Walsh Seanie McMahon Tony Browne

Colin Lynch John Leahy

Henry Shefflin Declan Ryan Paul Flynn

DJ Carey Joe Canning Eoin Kelly (Tipp)


I didn't deliberate over this for too long, and there were definitely a few touch and go decisions. Nothing between McMahon and Brian Corcoran for me, just went with the Clare man out of loyalty. Very little between Jackie Tyrell and the corner backs I chose as well, and it broke my heart to have to leave out John Mullane and Charlie Carter. Honourable mentions go out to Jamesie O'Connor, Joe Dooley, Fitzies/Cummins, Sean Og, JJ Delaney and Larry O'Gorman.

deccy15

1. Brendan Cummins
2. Michael Kavanagh
3. Brian Lohan
4. Ollie Canning
5. Tommy Walsh
6. Sean McMahon
7. Brian Whealahan
8. Tommy Dunne
9. Colin Lynch
10. Jamsie O Connor
11. Henry Shefflin
12. Johnny Dooley
13. John Mullane
14. DJ Carey
15. Eoin Kelly (tipp)

Far too much credit given to Ken Mcgrath in other peoples teams imo. Good as he was there is at least 4 or 5 better CBs over the last 15 years including waterfords current CB.

LeoB

Great thread. I think one thing people should remember there are lads just outside the top 4 or 5 counties who are as good as anything that ever lifted a hurl. I think here of John Taylor Laois, Tom Carew Kildare, Don Hyland Wicklow. and Brendan McLoughlin Dublin

Damien Fitzhenry Or McLoughlin Dublin
Michael Kavenagh
Noel Hickey
Wayne Sherlock or current Cork lad (Brian Murphy)?
Tommy Walsh
Ken McGrath
John Taylor
Colin Lynch
Derek Lyng
Ben O'Connor
Declan Ryan
Henry Shefflin
Eddie Brennan
Eoin Kelly
John Mullane


My Back up squad
Brendan Cummins
Jackie Tyrell
Brian Lohan
John Gardiner
Liam Doyle
Brian Whelahan
Tony Browne
Ger Farragher
Adrian Fenlon
Johnny Dooley
Paul Flynn
Don Hyland
D.J Carey
Gary Kirby
Charlie Carter

I put Tommy Walsh in italics as I think he one of the finest Irish sportsmen I have ever seen

yahoo_moe

eigrod wrote: »

D. Og Cusack

D. Mulcahy D. O' Sullivan W. Sherlock

T. Walsh B. Corcoran S. Og O hAilpin

J. Fenton F. Cummins

DJ Carey H Shefflin T. O Sullivan

K. Hennessy JBM J. Fitzgibbon

There must be some mistake here - you seem to have included some non-Cork players by accident :rolleyes:

eigrod

yahoo_moe wrote: »

There must be some mistake here - you seem to have included some non-Cork players by accident :rolleyes:

Yup. But only the ones who've proved to be a right pain in the butt to Cork over those years

Deucemc

heres my effort...im 23 but ive been around a while....

1.Davy Fitz
2.Brian Corcoran
3.Brian Lohan
4.Ollie Canning
5.Tommy Walsh
6.Sean McMahon
7.Brian Whealan
8.Tommy Dunne
9.Johnny Pilkington
10.Jamsie O'Connor
11.Declan Ryan
12.Henry Shefflin
13.Eoin Kelly (Tipp)
14.DJ
15.Paul Flynn

I know a couple of names may seem strange but these are the guys i lived to watch, the made games come alive with one piece of magic! thats why they're in!

yahoo_moe

No love for John Power anyone?

Or was he just not as good as I remember?

derealbadger

LeoB wrote: »

Great thread. I think one thing people should remember there are lads just outside the top 4 or 5 counties who are as good as anything that ever lifted a hurl. I think here of John Taylor Laois, Tom Carew Kildare, Don Hyland Wicklow. and Brendan McLoughlin Dublin

Damien Fitzhenry Or McLoughlin Dublin
Michael Kavenagh
Noel Hickey
Wayne Sherlock or current Cork lad (Brian Murphy)?
Tommy Walsh
Ken McGrath
John Taylor
Colin Lynch
Derek Lyng
Ben O'Connor
Declan Ryan
Henry Shefflin
Eddie Brennan
Eoin Kelly
John Mullane


My Back up squad
Brendan Cummins
Jackie Tyrell
Brian Lohan
John Gardiner
Liam Doyle
Brian Whelahan
Tony Browne
Ger Farragher
Adrian Fenlon
Johnny Dooley
Paul Flynn
Don Hyland
D.J Carey
Gary Kirby
Charlie Carter

I put Tommy Walsh in italics as I think he one of the finest Irish sportsmen I have ever seen

Ollie cant even make your bench my word

saywhatyousee

brendan cummins is easily the best goalkeeper the past 15 years and probaly ever!!!

aidan24326

yahoo_moe wrote: »

No love for John Power anyone?

Or was he just not as good as I remember?

More a workhorse than a truly classy hurler, reminds me of Brendan Lynskey who used to do a similiar job for the Galway team of the 80s. Players like that do an important job but they're not the type of player to have you on the edge of your seat or the type you look forward to watching.

saywhatyousee wrote: »

brendan cummins is easily the best goalkeeper the past 15 years and probaly ever!!!

It's all a matter of opinion with these things, there are no absolutes. Damien Fitzhenry would get many people's vote and Davy Fitz was a top class goalie too. I went for Donal Og because as well as being an excellent shot-stopper his handling and distribution of the ball was/is absolutely superb. That swayed it for me. In terms of pulling off great saves I'd agree that Brendan Cummins was probably the best at that overall.

aDeener

LeoB wrote: »

Great thread. I think one thing people should remember there are lads just outside the top 4 or 5 counties who are as good as anything that ever lifted a hurl. I think here of John Taylor Laois, Tom Carew Kildare, Don Hyland Wicklow. and Brendan McLoughlin Dublin

Damien Fitzhenry Or McLoughlin Dublin
Michael Kavenagh
Noel Hickey
Wayne Sherlock or current Cork lad (Brian Murphy)?
Tommy Walsh
Ken McGrath
John Taylor
Colin Lynch
Derek Lyng
Ben O'Connor
Declan Ryan
Henry Shefflin
Eddie Brennan
Eoin Kelly
John Mullane


My Back up squad
Brendan Cummins
Jackie Tyrell
Brian Lohan
John Gardiner
Liam Doyle
Brian Whelahan
Tony Browne
Ger Farragher
Adrian Fenlon
Johnny Dooley
Paul Flynn
Don Hyland
D.J Carey
Gary Kirby
Charlie Carter

I put Tommy Walsh in italics as I think he one of the finest Irish sportsmen I have ever seen

the greatest hurler of the televised era

Toblerone1978

deccy15 wrote: »

Far too much credit given to Ken Mcgrath in other peoples teams imo. Good as he was there is at least 4 or 5 better CBs over the last 15 years including waterfords current CB.

No way, have to disagree, a total hurler. A few names that I automatically put down and I'd accomodate whatever way I could would be Tommy Walsh, Ken McGrath, Ciaran Carey, DJ Carey and Henry Shefflin. I know this is about opinions but leaving any of those boys of the team of the last, say 20 years, is simply wrong!!

Toblerone1978

aidan24326 wrote: »

More a workhorse than a truly classy hurler, reminds me of Brendan Lynskey who used to do a similiar job for the Galway team of the 80s. Players like that do an important job but they're not the type of player to have you on the edge of your seat or the type you look forward to watching.

But aren't we considering the best team, rather than the best 15 players. I would consider putting Dan in FF for the best team but he wouldn't come anywhere near the best 15 players I've ever seen.

tom thum

Toblerone1978 wrote: »

But aren't we considering the best team, rather than the best 15 players. I would consider putting Dan in FF for the best team but he wouldn't come anywhere near the best 15 players I've ever seen.

he wouldnt even make the best team imo. he had one good season when he won hurler of the year. didnt hear of him before or since.

deccy15

Toblerone1978 wrote: »

No way, have to disagree, a total hurler. A few names that I automatically put down and I'd accomodate whatever way I could would be Tommy Walsh, Ken McGrath, Ciaran Carey, DJ Carey and Henry Shefflin. I know this is about opinions but leaving any of those boys of the team of the last, say 20 years, is simply wrong!!

Fully agree with you on DJ, Tommy Walsh and Henry Shefflin!! I'm interested to know what position you would play Ken McGrath at as IMO Seanie McMahon is without doubt one of the best CBs of all time. (Not FB as Brian Lohan IS the best FB of all time)

shezmagic

From the early 80s....

---

1. Donal Og Cusack

---

--- 2. Brian Corcoran 3. Brian Lohan 4. Martin Hanamy---
---- 5. Tommy Walsh 6. Brian Whelehan 7. JJ Delaney---

---

8. John Fenton 9. Ciaran Carey

---

----10. DJ Carey 11. Henry Shefflin 12. Johnny Dooley---
13. John Mullane 14. Jimmy Barry Murphy 15. Nicky English

FatherTed

From the early 80's:

Davy Fitzgerald
Michael Kavanagh-Brian Lohan-Sylvie Linnane
Brian Whelehan-Pat Delaney(Offaly)-Iggy Clarke
John Fenton-Johnny Pilkington
Jamesie O'Connor-Henry Shefflin-Joe Cooney
Eddie Brennan-Jimmy Barry Murphy-Nicky English

Toblerone1978

deccy15 wrote: »

I'm interested to know what position you would play Ken McGrath at as IMO Seanie McMahon is without doubt one of the best CBs of all time.

When you’re talking about the best XV of all times and you’re picking Ken McGrath, you have to put him in centre back (although I get what the management are doing put him in the forwards these days, but don’t get me started on the rest of their tactics against Tipperary, shocking). I totally get you with Seanie McMahon and tbh, I couldn't really argue against it. I think it’s nearly a personal preference and Ken probably edges for me because he was so brilliant to look at, some of the catches he made were awesome and the ground he covered. Seanie was probably as effective (although I don't think he was) but just didn’t have the same inspirational style as Ken.

At the moment, my team would be:
1. Damien Fitzhenry
2. Brian Corcoran
3. Brian Lohan
4. Willie O'Connor
5. Tommy Walsh
6. Ken McGrath
7. JJ Delaney
8. Tommy Dunne
9. Ciaran Carey
10. Ben O’Connor
11. Henry Shefflin
12. Johnny Dooley
13. Eoin Kelly (Tipperary)
14. Joe Canning
15. DJ Carey

I wanted an old style FF, a big man who can catch the ball, hold his man off and let the other forwards work off him. Some of the names that popped to mind were Christy Heffernan, Kevin Heffernan, Liam Fennelly, Declan Ryan and Dan Shanahan. But I’ve little doubt with my choice of Mr Canning, I think Joe has the potential to be the best of all hurlers, although there is a massive difference between potential and actually doing it.

I’m surprise Donal Og is repeated so many times and can’t believe are putting him ahead of Brendan Cummins, Dave Fitzy, Damien Fitz, Michael Walsh etc. Not only is he not in the same league as these fellas, I wouldn’t have him on the panel if for no other reason that the disharmony he would cause in the dressing room.

There are a lot of names that I would happily consider putting in and as I said in a previous post, the only ones I would have in as absolute certainties are Tommy Walsh, Ken McGrath, Ciaran Carey, Henry and DJ.

homerjay2005

aDeener wrote: »

the greatest hurler of the televised era

agreed, yet people claim he is overrated and not all that.

the lad is something else. i know not a whole pile about hurling and will never claim to, but some of these selection are embarrassing. some of the inclusions are just wrong.

fikay

Started going to games/following it in the mid 90's only so selection probably reflects that:

B Cummins
M Kavenagh
Brian Lohan
Ollie Canning
Brian Whealan
Seanie McMahon
Tommy Walsh
Tommy Dunne
Johnny Pilkington
Jamesie O Connor/ Johnny Dooley (I can't decide)
Paul Flynn
Henry Shefflin
Eoin Kelly (Tipp)
DJ Carey
John Mulane