John Mullane Retires

rockonollie

I for one won't miss his antics......but have to respect him for the hurler he was (when he wasn't carrying-on)

Palytoxin

Link with the story.
http://thescore.thejournal.ie/john-mullane-waterford-758702-Jan2013/

Motivator

rockonollie wrote: »

I for one won't miss his antics......but have to respect him for the hurler he was (when he wasn't carrying-on)

Shut up.

Nonoperational

A great player and probably unlucky not to win an All-Ireland. Personally I thought he went too far on occassion and never warmed to him. Although I'd probably do the very same myself if I was in a situation as charged as he found himself in from time to time...

Diabhal Beag

One of the best I've ever seen. Mullane could get a crowd going like nobody else and best of luck to him in retirement.

PSRJ17191438b

great player alright, shame he didn't win a All-Ireland

Gallant_JJ

Absolute legend, had to love the raw emotion. Real pity that Waterford team of the mid 00's didn't go on to greater things. Some of the most talented hurlers I've ever had the privilege to watch. Mullane was certainly up there with the best of them. The championship will certainly be worse off in his absence.

theoneeyedman

PSRJ17191438b wrote: »

great player alright, shame he didn't win a All-Ireland

Absolutely agree....only a casual observer of the small ball game but Mullane was a gud un. Always wore his heart on his sleeve and sure he had an edge to his game, but I'm sure he got more abuse than he got on the field. The game needs characters and JM was one. Enjoy the retirement

cfc.forever

Well goodluck to him in the future! Although I'm a kilkenny fan I must admit he was a great player, I seen this on rte news already but thanks for the update.

KevIRL

An absolute legend, a hero, he will be sorely missed by Waterford and the intercounty scene in general.

Here is a tribute piece i just finished writing for Livegaelic.com

http://www.livegaelic.com/news/john-mullane-retires-from-intercounty-hurling-a-tribute/

JFlah

I'll miss watching him .. super player and so much passion. Some people have mentioned his' antics' all I ever saw was raw passion .. maybe too much at times but really just passion. I always admired him when he admitted 'wrongdoing' and accepted punishment. He'll be missed.

washman3

One of the best forwards i have ever seen playing the game. a joy to watch when in full flight in summer. but i would bet he will definately make an appearance this summer for Waterford, Lar Corbett style. seems to be the new trend now.

Hidalgo

Huge loss if his retirement is permanent. Class player who pulled Waterford through on plenty occasions.

Wanderer2010

Motivator wrote: »

Shut up.

Typical John Mullane adoratrion. He was a great hurler but could be a right thug with some of his jersey pulling lairy antics. Fact.

rebel girl 15

Two infractions given out already on this thread - keep it civil, next poster stepping over the line will be banned

iDave

Serious man serious player

Clareman

WumBuster wrote: »

let the Jealous haters have it out with themselves on this one.

We won't be having that

rockonollie

No hating......there were aspects of his game that I'd rather not have seen......but I fully respect his playing abilities, and the huge difference he made for Waterford hurling.

Rafa1977

PSRJ17191438b wrote: »

great player alright, shame he didn't win a All-Ireland

Yeah agree, deserved one so much, he is the Steven Gerrard of Hurling, such a great player and dosen't have an All Ireland medal to show for it.

Pride Fighter

Great player, but he just was not the same player with the helmet. His own individual performances were fine, but he could not fire up his teammates with pure passion on his face with the helmet in the way IMO.

An absolute warrior and one of the best players to not win an AI. But a great career, all-stars, a league title and some Munster titles are not to be sniffed at.

May he have a great retirement.

adrian522

One of the best players I've ever seen, his scoring rate was phenomenal, up there with the very best in the game. He carried many a team on his back.

What age is he? I would have thought he had another few years in him.

rockonollie

adrian522 wrote: »

One of the best players I've ever seen, his scoring rate was phenomenal, up there with the very best in the game. He carried many a team on his back.

What age is he? I would have thought he had another few years in him.

31.....would have thought there was another season in him alright.....you'd never know....the itch might get him as we head toward summer.

He's one of the few guys in recent years that I've seen, single handedly keep a team in contention at times.

Tombo2001

what I loved about Mullane was how he always delivered.......when Waterford were good, he was good.....when Waterford were poor, he was good.

Would have been great if he'd won an All Ireland, but missing out on that does not change the fact that he was one of the best forwards of the past 30 years.

To be honest, am surprised he retired.

mccarthy37

Didn't see this coming taught he would commit for another season but it was not to be.
Thanks John for the joy you gave me over the years watched you as a minor and knew then we had something special.
Hope you got a decent job out of having such a high profile.
This year will be interesting most will view us as cannon foda now, it will be hard to stay up in division 1 in the league and the championship will be tough but who knows maybe some of the younger members of the panel might make an impact. Anyway John you were one of the best to wear a Waterford shirt hope you will have some involvement in the future, young lads will always look up to you, you are a legend down our way. Best of luck for the future.

WumBuster

Pride Fighter wrote: »

Great player, but he just was not the same player with the helmet. His own individual performances were fine, but he could not fire up his teammates with pure passion on his face with the helmet in the way IMO.

An absolute warrior and one of the best players to not win an AI. But a great career, all-stars, a league title and some Munster titles are not to be sniffed at.

May he have a great retirement.

Ill take it you werent at the Cork game(AI Q/F) last year when he wore ''the helmet''. He went out as a 3rd midfielder when Waterford were struggling and plucked 4-5 balls out of the air in succession and set up scores to put them in the lead. One of the best displays Ive seen from him or any player even though he didnt end up on the winning side.

Tombo2001

One other point about him not winning an all ireland...

Waterford won four munster titles during the 2000s and were probably the most consistent munster team for most of it, they'd have the edge on Cork more than the other way around I'd have thought; and that in itself was some going.

chinguetti

Sad to hear that he's retired but he always gave his best and that's all you can ask for. It will be strange to be at a game now and see the ball head into the Waterford forwards and see that red helmet head for goal with defenders in his wake.

liammur

I always liked to watch him play when waterford played Limerick. A stand out player. Great skill and vision and was in a great team, shame they never got that All Ireland.

I'd be a little worried for Waterford now.

megadodge

Surprised to hear this and disappointed too, as it means one of my favourite ever hurlers won't be gracing our pitches/screens again.
He was amazingly consistent and even on Waterford's bad days he'd still be one of the best players on the pitch.

I hope he has a good retirement, but like others I do suspect he could be talked out of it as he's not particularly old and has been playing as well as ever.

In relation to some people's problem with him (labelling him a 'thug' because of jersey-pulling????) I'd have no issue with saying that he was far, far more sinned against than sinning. Very early in his career he had a few incidents and in some blinkered eyes they have been using those against him for the rest of his hurling days, despite him being involved in virtually nothing of any consequence for years now. He's an example of a man who learned the hard way, took his punishment on the chin without whinging and came back all the better for it.

John Mullane is my type of sportsman.

crazy_kenny

Too young to retire in my opinion. At 31 he would be one of the senior players on the squad which is needed in every team. The experience and passion that John has will be a massive loss to Waterford.

Tom Joad

Don't know much about hurling but didn't need to to appreciate how good John Mullane was and how important he was to his team.. Can only wish him the best in his retirement.

Motivator

Mullane was the best forward in the country for 10 years, he owes nobody anything. His score against Cork in the 2004 Munster Final just after half time set the game up for Waterford. He was sent off 1 minute later & with that sending off Waterford's chances of an All Ireland went with him. He could have appealed it but he took his punishment like a man, if he had of appealed it he'd have played against KK & Waterford would have beaten them. His conduct after that sending off was brilliant, he never complained & admitted his wrong doing. A class act.

No other player in the game could match him for heart, passion & desire. He was a breath of fresh air compared to the boring robots from KK. People can question his "antics" all they want, but KK & Tipp lads are at the same antics but no other players get called on it but Mullane. He was a once in a lifetime player & watching him play in Thurles was the highlight of many summers for me & thousands of other Waterford people.

liammur

megadodge wrote: »

Surprised to hear this and disappointed too, as it means one of my favourite ever hurlers won't be gracing our pitches/screens again.
He was amazingly consistent and even on Waterford's bad days he'd still be one of the best players on the pitch.

I hope he has a good retirement, but like others I do suspect he could be talked out of it as he's not particularly old and has been playing as well as ever.

In relation to some people's problem with him (labelling him a 'thug' because of jersey-pulling????) I'd have no issue with saying that he was far, far more sinned against than sinning. Very early in his career he had a few incidents and in some blinkered eyes they have been using those against him for the rest of his hurling days, despite him being involved in virtually nothing of any consequence for years now. He's an example of a man who learned the hard way, took his punishment on the chin without whinging and came back all the better for it.

John Mullane is my type of sportsman.

Calling a player a thug is wrong and downright disrespectful. I've always felt many KK players are dirty, but I'd never call them thugs. They play to win, just like Mullane did.

rebel girl 15

Sad to see him go, but heard a reason why, which was very understandable - very young to be going. Was a player who always wore his heart on his sleeve, some people may label that antics, some may label it passion. He went out to grab every game by the scruff of the neck, and afaik, top scorer from open play in the championship, which is a fantastic record. He'll be sorely missed by a very young Waterford team who need leaders, and he was. One of my favourite hurlers, though his actions cost us Munster titles!

Juniorhurler

Motivator wrote: »

Mullane was the best forward in the country for 10 years, he owes nobody anything. His score against Cork in the 2004 Munster Final just after half time set the game up for Waterford. He was sent off 1 minute later & with that sending off Waterford's chances of an All Ireland went with him. He could have appealed it but he took his punishment like a man, if he had of appealed it he'd have played against KK & Waterford would have beaten them. His conduct after that sending off was brilliant, he never complained & admitted his wrong doing. A class act.

No other player in the game could match him for heart, passion & desire. He was a breath of fresh air compared to the boring robots from KK. People can question his "antics" all they want, but KK & Tipp lads are at the same antics but no other players get called on it but Mullane. He was a once in a lifetime player & watching him play in Thurles was the highlight of many summers for me & thousands of other Waterford people.

This post says all I want to say about John Mullane. I thought his never say die attitude at roughly twenty points down in an all Ireland final typified him. Huge heart.

The only bit of the quoted post I disagree with is using this opportunity to snipe at Kilkenny. They have been exemplary role models for the length I am watching hurling.

Clareman

Whatever his reasons for retiring he'll always be considered 1 of the greats of the modern era, he's 1 of these polarising characters that if you like the team you'll like him, if you don't you won't but you can never doubt his skill and commitment.

jordainius

Great player, I'm disappointed with a few comments in this thread.

His "carry on" and "antics"- he was in no way a dirty player, he did no harm. The showmanship and badge kissing type stuff?? That was just raw passion, and he more than backed that up with his performances on the pitch. His commitment on the pitch was unquestionable. Two games which sum him up are the games in the 2008 championship v Clare and Kilkenny, Waterford got hammered in both games but Mullane never gave up.

Great player, sad to see him go. Hopefully I'll get a few more chances to see him with De La Salle.

Mountainlad

megadodge wrote: »

In relation to some people's problem with him (labelling him a 'thug' because of jersey-pulling????) I'd have no issue with saying that he was far, far more sinned against than sinning. Very early in his career he had a few incidents and in some blinkered eyes they have been using those against him for the rest of his hurling days, despite him being involved in virtually nothing of any consequence for years now. He's an example of a man who learned the hard way, took his punishment on the chin without whinging and came back all the better for it.

John Mullane is my type of sportsman.

Spot on, don't think I've agreed more with a post on boards.

gowley

Motivator wrote: »

Mullane was the best forward in the country for 10 years, he owes nobody anything. His score against Cork in the 2004 Munster Final just after half time set the game up for Waterford. He was sent off 1 minute later & with that sending off Waterford's chances of an All Ireland went with him. He could have appealed it but he took his punishment like a man, if he had of appealed it he'd have played against KK & Waterford would have beaten them. His conduct after that sending off was brilliant, he never complained & admitted his wrong doing. A class act.

No other player in the game could match him for heart, passion & desire. He was a breath of fresh air compared to the boring robots from KK. People can question his "antics" all they want, but KK & Tipp lads are at the same antics but no other players get called on it but Mullane. He was a once in a lifetime player & watching him play in Thurles was the highlight of many summers for me & thousands of other Waterford people.

he was great but lets not get carried away. the best forward in the country for 10 years is over the top. i think henry or dj or ben o connor might have something to say about that

Kristopherus

megadodge wrote: »

Surprised to hear this and disappointed too, as it means one of my favourite ever hurlers won't be gracing our pitches/screens again.
He was amazingly consistent and even on Waterford's bad days he'd still be one of the best players on the pitch.

I hope he has a good retirement, but like others I do suspect he could be talked out of it as he's not particularly old and has been playing as well as ever.

In relation to some people's problem with him (labelling him a 'thug' because of jersey-pulling????) I'd have no issue with saying that he was far, far more sinned against than sinning. Very early in his career he had a few incidents and in some blinkered eyes they have been using those against him for the rest of his hurling days, despite him being involved in virtually nothing of any consequence for years now. He's an example of a man who learned the hard way, took his punishment on the chin without whinging and came back all the better for it.

John Mullane is my type of sportsman.

Excellent summary. Hope he has a good retirement.

WumBuster

gowley wrote: »

he was great but lets not get carried away. the best forward in the country for 10 years is over the top. i think henry or dj or ben o connor might have something to say about that

Ah cud you ever whisht about King henry for 5 minutes... we know all about him

gowley

WumBuster wrote: »

Ah cud you ever whisht about King henry for 5 minutes... we know all about him

just rerlying to a post. if you think john was the best forward in the last 10 years fair enough. i dont. dont think john would either.

WumBuster

gowley wrote: »

just rerlying to a post. if you think john was the best forward in the last 10 years fair enough. i dont. dont think john would either.

Look these lists and comparisons are pretty pointless as every player is different. But he would be in the top echelon of forwards in the past 10 years i would say along with Henry,DJ, eddie brennan, Joe Deane, Eoin kelly, Lar Corbett(Tipp), Joe Canning.. etc.

gowley

WumBuster wrote: »

Look these lists and comparisons are pretty pointless as every player is different. But he would be in the top echelon of forwards in the past 10 years i would say along with Henry,DJ, eddie brennan, Joe Deane, Eoin kelly, Lar Corbett(Tipp), Joe Canning.. etc.

agree fully. great player . won games for waterford on his own at times. great passion and workrate. but just saying its a load of rubbish for people to be saying hes the best in ten years. not taking anything away from him though.

Straight Talker

Tombo2001 wrote: »

One other point about him not winning an all ireland...

Waterford won four munster titles during the 2000s and were probably the most consistent munster team for most of it, they'd have the edge on Cork more than the other way around I'd have thought; and that in itself was some going.

Here is Cork and Waterfords championship win records head to head from 02 to 07.Cork 4 wins,three munster titles and 2 all irelands.Waterford 4 wins,three munster titles and 1 league title.

Straight Talker

Motivator wrote: »

Mullane was the best forward in the country for 10 years, he owes nobody anything. His score against Cork in the 2004 Munster Final just after half time set the game up for Waterford. He was sent off 1 minute later & with that sending off Waterford's chances of an All Ireland went with him. He could have appealed it but he took his punishment like a man, if he had of appealed it he'd have played against KK & Waterford would have beaten them. His conduct after that sending off was brilliant, he never complained & admitted his wrong doing. A class act.

No other player in the game could match him for heart, passion & desire. He was a breath of fresh air compared to the boring robots from KK. People can question his "antics" all they want, but KK & Tipp lads are at the same antics but no other players get called on it but Mullane. He was a once in a lifetime player & watching him play in Thurles was the highlight of many summers for me & thousands of other Waterford people.

Yeah those Kilkenny lads may be boring but you can't argue with 9 all irelands over the course of the last 12 years!Im not a big Kilkenny lover but have some respect for the greatest hurling team of our lifetimes.

Syferus

Quite possibly my favourite hurler of all-time, the way he could take over a game and the sheer intensity he played at was a throw-back to the stories you hear about the old days.

Waterford should spend the league campaign trying to coax him out of retirement because even now he is one of the finest hurlers in the game and would have plenty of more years on the clock if he can be convinced to stay.

spokesman

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

Typical John Mullane adoratrion. He was a great hurler but could be a right thug with some of his jersey pulling lairy antics. Fact.

Thug? Thats a bit heavy. Its not tiddlywinks he was playing.

Ryu Hayabusa

Motivator wrote: »

Mullane was the best forward in the country for 10 years,

hinault

5 All Star awards for a man who's county didn't capture an All Ireland title suggests how good a player he was.

After some indisciplined behaviour, he managed to rectify that and he became an even better player in my opinion.

I wish him a happy retirement

nice_guy80

he's only 31!

surely he had another year or two in him?