Who's your teams most important player?

Flange/Flanders

Right, was reading the overhyped players thread there and it got me wondering about who was a teams most important player if not most hyped?

Obviously some candidates stand out who are the most important and hyped at the same time e.g. Joe and Henry. But I used to think that my counties (Mayo) most important player was Andy Moran, following on from last years Cork quarter final and confirmed by the Dublin Semi final, I definitely think its Kevin McLoughlin. He's so good at mopping up sloppy ball, great distribution and so much ball goes through him setting up attacks.

Bit of a useless thread but Im bored.

iDave

For Meath I would say Kevin Reilly. Within minutes of going off against Dublin 2 goals were conceded and the defense was awful against Laois when he was out. I know we've won some big games without him but I always feel a lot more comfortable seeing him line up at full back

Dirty Dingus McGee

For Offaly Niall McNamee.Our best forward by a mile a brilliant ball winner as his mere presence on the field seems to lift the team Offaly are fairly mediocre with him in the team but we are absolutely useless without him.He was Offalys best player in our 2011 championship campaign and one of about 3 players to come out of it with any credit.Last year although he missed most of it through injury even when he came on and was clearly unfit he lifted the team.He came on against Wexford in the league and although he barely touched the ball his presence seemed to lift the rest of the player and we had a bit of a revival while he was on the field.In 2010 against Meath in Portloaise he destroyed Meaths full back line despite carrying an injury that basically had him on one leg.Its such a pity his career has coincided with a low point in Offaly football as he is a class act and should be playing in big games more often.

In hurling either Shane Dooley or Rory Hannify. Dooley probably gets the nod because of his supreme finishing ability and we are very reliant on him for scores but Hannify is such a great leader and drives the team on when we need him most.

ft9

Henry Shefflin, I don't think I need to explain why. For anyone who needs an explanation watch a replay of last Sunday.

ProudDUB

The Brogans. No explanation needed really.

Without them fit, healthy & just as important, game ready (BB came into this years champo campaign with not having played a single competitive game since the previous years AI final) we were right royally knackered this year !

jimmy the car

I'd say Mark McHugh for Donegal, he's non stop, one second mopping up breaking ball in defence and next one is tapping over a score at the other end, very hard to mark as his fitness has to be one of the best in the country because of the things he does for a full match without any lulls that can be seen.

premierstone

For Tipp I think its Lar, he was magnificent in 2001, 2002 and 2003, average between 2004 and 2008 and excellent 2009, 2010 and 2011 up to the final and has been poor this year.

I think that fairly much corelates with Tipp's fortunes over the same period of time.

castletownman

For Wexford footballers, I would say Ciaran Lyng. Ben Brosnan gets the plaudits, Red Barry puts in phenomenal work, but Lyng carrying injury into the Dublin game was critical.I would say also that Daithi Waters is singlehandedly carrying the Wexford midfield at present too.

Wexford hurlers, a spine of Keith Rossiter and Matthew O'Hanlon.

ft9

premierstone wrote: »

For Tipp I think its Lar, he was magnificent in 2001, 2002 and 2003, average between 2004 and 2008 and excellent 2009, 2010 and 2011 up to the final and has been poor this year.

I think that fairly much corelates with Tipp's fortunes over the same period of time.

Also held Tommy Walsh scoreless in this years semi!

Ah I'm only messing Lar probably has been Tipps most important.
Eoin Kelly surely not far off?

premierstone

ft9 wrote: »

Also held Tommy Walsh scoreless in this years semi!

Ah I'm only messing Lar probably has been Tipps most important.
Eoin Kelly surely not far off?

Oh yeah Eoin carried that team for so so long, but presently and looking at next year Eoin if he decides to stay on will most likely only be an impact sub.

Eoin Kelly scored points that no other player could ever score, the one game that will always stick in my mind was against Limerick when he score 14pts, one off the hurl on the sideline, one over the right shoulder, two over the left shoulder etc etc, best player I ever seen with he's back to goal.

Fireball07

For Limerick in football, it has been John Galvin for many years. However, we've had 2 years without him now. I don't think we've been as good but can you call a palyer who hasn't played in the Championship for that long your best player? Elsewhere it hast to be Ian Ryan really, he almost single-handedly beat Waterford, and was responsible for the fightback against Clare. But people like Johnny Mac and John Riordan are big players too.


In hurling, I reckon our most important player is someone like Gavin O'Mahoney. Great defender, great distributor of the ball.

Lapin

James Skehill.

The outfield lads will do what they have to do, but it was Skehill's incredible save last Sunday that kept Galway in the game.

DARK-KNIGHT

would always have said in past dermot earley or doyle tbh

but for me emmett bolton is now kildares driving force

razor425

For Roscommon Michael Finneran. We have no other viable options around the middle and got totally cleaned out there this year when Finneran was injured. I know many Roscommon supporters will say Shine, Kilbride or Cregg but we have decent replacements for these hence why I think Finneran is more important.

carryharry

premierstone wrote: »

For Tipp I think its Lar, he was magnificent in 2001, 2002 and 2003, average between 2004 and 2008 and excellent 2009, 2010 and 2011 up to the final and has been poor this year.

I think that fairly much corelates with Tipp's fortunes over the same period of time.

Paraic Maher for me PS.

He is the foundation that any Tipp team will be built around.

For me personally, Lar is not even the most important player for Thurles Sars.
He was excellent for Tipp in 2010 & most of last year, but the hassle and rumour mill that was caused by his on/off intercounty career earlier this year left a bad taste for me.

brian_gall85

Have to agree with McHugh for Donegal covers every inch of the pitch and is as deadly in the opponents half as his own. Frank McGlynn and Anthony Thompson are the unsung heroes for me though.

Swiper the fox

If Cork are to be challenging for the top honours in both codes next year the players who are gonna have to perform at their best are Colm O'Neill and Pa Cronin. O'Neill is gonna have to get on the ball more often but i fear he is very much a marked man now, goals often win matches and their isn't a better finisher in the country for me. Cronin needs to be used in the half forward line as a target man for puckouts etc, on his day he is capable of winning anything sent in his direction.

premierstone

carryharry wrote: »

Paraic Maher for me PS.

He is the foundation that any Tipp team will be built around.

For me personally, Lar is not even the most important player for Thurles Sars.
He was excellent for Tipp in 2010 & most of last year, but the hassle and rumour mill that was caused by his on/off intercounty career earlier this year left a bad taste for me.

Probably going forward alright, Lar has never really being any good for Thurles to be honest, Redser has always been a better club hurler.

dastardly00

ft9 wrote: »

Henry Shefflin, I don't think I need to explain why. For anyone who needs an explanation watch a replay of last Sunday.

I would also add that Brian Hogan, JJ and Michael Fennelly are not too far behind Shefllin in terms of importance. JJ and Michael Fennelly were missing when KK were annihilated by Galway in the Leinster final. And Brian Hogan crucially missed the 2009 AI final.

shiibata

brian_gall85 wrote: »

Have to agree with McHugh for Donegal covers every inch of the pitch and is as deadly in the opponents half as his own. Frank McGlynn and Anthony Thompson are the unsung heroes for me though.

Lacey would have to get a big mention here too, another man who must cover every inch on the pitch and must be surely in the running for player of the year IF Donegal win.

ft9

dastardly00 wrote: »

I would also add that Brian Hogan, JJ and Michael Fennelly are not too far behind Shefllin in terms of importance. JJ and Michael Fennelly were missing when KK were annihilated by Galway in the Leinster final. And Brian Hogan crucially missed the 2009 AI final.

KK won 2009. Afaik Brian Hogan played and was subbed 2nd half?

homerjay2005

Brian Sheehan and no doubt at all about that. his injury cost us dearly against Donegal that year, much more so than the other injurys we got that day.

Hammer Archer

iDave wrote: »

For Meath I would say Kevin Reilly. Within minutes of going off against Dublin 2 goals were conceded and the defense was awful against Laois when he was out. I know we've won some big games without him but I always feel a lot more comfortable seeing him line up at full back

Don't think I can say any more than this. He's the only one of our more senior players that has consistently produced the goods. Unfortunately, he's very injury prone.
Another one (if he keeps up his form from this year) is Donal Keoghan. We've had so many problems over the last 10 years or so with the corner back spot but he was immense this season.

dastardly00

ft9 wrote: »

dastardly00 wrote: »

I would also add that Brian Hogan, JJ and Michael Fennelly are not too far behind Shefllin in terms of importance. JJ and Michael Fennelly were missing when KK were annihilated by Galway in the Leinster final. And Brian Hogan crucially missed the 2009 AI final.

KK won 2009. Afaik Brian Hogan played and was subbed 2nd half?

Sorry I meant the 2010 final we lost against Tipp!

brian_gall85

shiibata wrote: »

Lacey would have to get a big mention here too, another man who must cover every inch on the pitch and must be surely in the running for player of the year IF Donegal win.

Without a doubt, but most fans already know all about Karl and if not hopefully he'll remind them (especially the Mayo ones) in a couple of weekends time :cool:

Deskjockey

John Mullane has been the heartbeat of the Waterford team for the past 5-6 years

ft9

Deskjockey wrote: »

John Mullane has been the heartbeat of the Waterford team for the past 5-6 years

Such a pity that man didn't get an All-Ireland medal. Deserves one.

curry-muff

Neil Gallagher for me, he's vital to us winning our kickouts and maintaining possession, runs as much as anyone on the team and plays some lovely long passes.

Closely followed by Mark Mc Hugh and Karl Lacey, they're the foundation of Donegals solid defence (Despite Mc Hugh technically being a half forward ).

dirkmeister

The King.

When he goes we will be in big trouble. He ran that All Ireland last Sunday, in my mind he is still the best in the country.

Brian Hogan was a huge loss in 2010(Tipp would have won anyway), but Henry is the man.

jimbo79

for carlow, brendan murphy in football i believe him to be the best midfielder in the country

in hurling mark brennan probably, it's a shame we can't get him to dual him and murphy would make some partnership in the middle

davegrohl48

For Mayo right now Keith Higgins. He has improved out of all sight and is really operating at his peak. Without him the Mayo defence wouldn't get the ball into attacking positions as easily. Now that he's strengthened up a good bit he is a much better man marker and his speed means you only receive the ball under pressure. He will bring the counter attack either left or right and still not lose posession, he will stop up, turn and make sure the ball goes to a free man with room to move forward.