Greatest hurler ever..?

youthacademy · 06-10-2006 02:41PM #1

Hey,
I'm a clare man, and jus hearing of the great seanie mcmahons departure from the inter county setup, it put the question in my head, who is the greatest. christy ring(cork)? christy heffernan(KK)? dj(KK)? Lohan(CE)(in his day)?
whats your opinion??

monosharp · 06-10-2006 04:57PM

youthacademy wrote:

Hey,
I'm a clare man, and jus hearing of the great seanie mcmahons departure from the inter county setup, it put the question in my head, who is the greatest. christy ring(cork)? christy heffernan(KK)? dj(KK)? Lohan(CE)(in his day)?
whats your opinion??

Christy will probably take it in most peoples opinions.

Greatest team would be more contentious. The Tipp team of the 60's is generally accepted as the greatest ever.

Flukey · 08-10-2006 05:15PM

Ring or Heffernan?

In my time I suppose I'd have to say DJ, but there are many others, too many to mention.

Kojak · 10-10-2006 09:43PM

Ring would probably get my vote. Carey was more of an opportunist, IMO.

cruiserweight · 11-10-2006 12:27PM

what about Nicky Rackard?

the manglator · 11-10-2006 12:47PM

The best player I've seen (going back to about '92) is Brian Corcoran. Definitely think he deserves to be ranked alongside DJ in modern times.

He won hurler of the year in '92 when he was just out of minor. Unfortunately Cork weren't too successful for most of the 1990's so he won't get the recognition he deserves for being the best player in the country for that period.
All along he was one of the few dual players in the country, reaching an All-Ireland final.

When he got hurler of the year again in '99 he was actually not playing as well as he was for most of the 90s!!

And to add to his fantastic career, making his comeback at full-forward and winning 2 All-Irelands shows just how immense a player he has been.

How Whelehan got in the Team of the Millenium ahead of him is beyond me!!!! :mad:

hawker · 11-10-2006 02:30PM

I cannot comment about Ring or Rackard as I am under 40. Most of the people over a certain age (like the persons who picked Ring or Rackard) nearly always seem to choose Ring. Those lucky enough to have seen him play in the flesh have no doubts.

By all accounts I was unfortunate not to to witness Ring at his peak. My choice would be DJ Carey. By far the best hurler of my generation even though most Cork men cannot admit it.

chubba1984 · 11-10-2006 02:54PM

Mick Mackey, Jimmy Doyle, Eddie Keher, Lory Meagher, Christy Ring

youthacademy · 11-10-2006 04:04PM

alot of being "the greatest" is about being at the right place at the right time as mentioned above in corcorans case. personally a think hes an exceptional hurler but not in the catogary of the greatest as we did not see him for a few years during his absense.
jimmy doyle was certainly worth a mention. i was also a fond admirer of pat hartigan of limerick in the 70's

REBEL CORK · 15-10-2006 01:32AM

hawker wrote:

I cannot comment about Ring or Rackard as I am under 40. Most of the people over a certain age (like the persons who picked Ring or Rackard) nearly always seem to choose Ring. Those lucky enough to have seen him play in the flesh have no doubts.

By all accounts I was unfortunate not to to witness Ring at his peak. My choice would be DJ Carey. By far the best hurler of my generation even though most Cork men cannot admit it.

Kept scoreless in 3 out of four finals played against Cork is why alot of cork people won't admit it and with that record could you blame us (not doubting he a was fantastic hurler though).

Brian whealan best hurler i've seen of my generation with Tommy walsh already at such a young age becoming a great admirer of mine.

As regards to the greatest ever, Jimmy Doyle, John Doyle, Ned Power, Buggy, all said Ring, so il bow to their supierior knowledge considering they've seen all the generations of hurlers from then til now.

Inniscarraman · 15-10-2006 04:52PM

the manglator wrote:

The best player I've seen (going back to about '92) is Brian Corcoran. Definitely think he deserves to be ranked alongside DJ in modern times.

He won hurler of the year in '92 when he was just out of minor. Unfortunately Cork weren't too successful for most of the 1990's so he won't get the recognition he deserves for being the best player in the country for that period.
All along he was one of the few dual players in the country, reaching an All-Ireland final.

When he got hurler of the year again in '99 he was actually not playing as well as he was for most of the 90s!!

And to add to his fantastic career, making his comeback at full-forward and winning 2 All-Irelands shows just how immense a player he has been.

How Whelehan got in the Team of the Millenium ahead of him is beyond me!!!! :mad:

Absolutely right about the great man from Caherlag. He would have to be in the shake-up for the best that I have ever seen and I saw all the greats going back to Ring in 1960 for the Glen against Muskerry on an atrocious day in Coachford.

Brian Corcoran was the Cork team from 94 to 98. He simply won every ball that came within 25 metres of him. Yet, because Cork failed to progress beyond the 1st round in Munster in each of these years the all star selectors ignored him.

I have never seen a player dominate a game to the extent that Brian did in those years. Every time he put on the Cork jersey, he was the best man on the field by some distance.

It really was a pity that he opted, or should I say was pressurised, to play football. That decision clearly took its toll on Brian.

I agree with you that in 99 he did not play as well as he had played for the previous six years yet was selected hurler of the year for the second time.

Recently some one picked the best Cork hurling team of something like the last 40 years and left Brain off it. We forget so very easily. I think we now remember Brian as a forward which is a great injustice to Cork's greatest defender.

Up the Blues

thirdmantackle · 15-10-2006 05:53PM

Brian Whelehan is a legend - for county and club. that final where he was ill and they moved him to full forward and he scored 1-5 was unbelieveable

Skillwise, DJ Carey was probably ahead of almost all other players

I've heard people say Ring was a very dirty and cynical player

This thread should be - best hurler you have ever seen play?

monosharp · 24-10-2006 11:21AM

the manglator wrote:

How Whelehan got in the Team of the Millenium ahead of him is beyond me!!!! :mad:

........

How you could even suggest that Corcoran could be compared to Brian Whelehan shows how little you know.

monosharp · 24-10-2006 11:28AM

REBEL CORK wrote:

Kept scoreless in 3 out of four finals played against Cork is why alot of cork people won't admit it and with that record could you blame us (not doubting he a was fantastic hurler though).

Brian whealan best hurler i've seen of my generation with Tommy walsh already at such a young age becoming a great admirer of mine.

As regards to the greatest ever, Jimmy Doyle, John Doyle, Ned Power, Buggy, all said Ring, so il bow to their supierior knowledge considering they've seen all the generations of hurlers from then til now.

Agree with you 100% on DJ.

On Brian, he was an unnatural talent. Fully deserving of his place on the team of the millenium.

On Tommy Walsh. What can i say that anyone whose ever watched the lad play doesn't know ? If he keeps it up hes going to go down as the best all-rounder ever.

As regards the greatest ever, at the moment Ring is undisputed but theres 2 young lads that are going to give him a serious run for his money. Henry Shefflin and Eoin Kelly both have the potential to surpass Ring and i wouldn't be surprised if they do.

CrowdedHouse · 26-10-2006 11:16AM

thirdmantackle wrote:

Brian Whelehan is a legend - for county and club. that final where he was ill and they moved him to full forward and he scored 1-5 was unbelieveable

Of the players I've seen personally I have to agree - and that's coming from a Tipp man :eek:

Honourable mention for DJ,Nicky English,John Fenton

Inniscarraman · 27-10-2006 10:29PM

monosharp wrote:

........

How you could even suggest that Corcoran could be compared to Brian Whelehan shows how little you know.

You are so correct. Brian Whelehan was a fine player - technically excellent but, as Dumphy would say, not a great player. On the other hand, Brian Corcoran was a great player. Great palyers dominate games and opponents. Corcoran did just that - time and time again. Undoubtedly, Brian Whelehan was a fine player and I would not wish to reflect adversely on him in any way.
Bye the way, one of the great players that I saw was Des Foley (RIP) of Dublin. An absolutely class act in both hurling and football - won Railway cup medals in both codes and played in Ireland finals in both codes.

il gatto · 28-10-2006 07:21AM

I'm from Sligo, so my opinion doesn't really count, but I think DJ Carey was the most exciting player to watch, as he just did things nobody else would think of. Second would be Joe Cooney for his competitiveness and consistancy. Third, Nicky English for the same reasons. Fourth is Henry Shefflin, because the man keeps scoring (most of the time), and fifth, Davey Fitzgerald, for never giving up. Ever. Honourable mentions to Jamesie O'Connor, John Power, Joe Deane and Brian Corcoran.

hawkwing · 08-02-2008 04:04PM

hawker wrote: »

I cannot comment about Ring or Rackard as I am under 40. Most of the people over a certain age (like the persons who picked Ring or Rackard) nearly always seem to choose Ring. Those lucky enough to have seen him play in the flesh have no doubts.

By all accounts I was unfortunate not to to witness Ring at his peak. My choice would be DJ Carey. By far the best hurler of my generation even though most Cork men cannot admit it.

I think it has to be Donal óg Cusack myself.

bullpost · 08-02-2008 04:09PM

I think if Ken mcGrath played for Kilkenny or Cork he'd be a contender. Hes practically carried Waterford single-handedly on so many occasions.

future_plans · 08-02-2008 04:22PM

I'd be inclined to agree with you there. Not old enough to remember Ring, Mackey and co. Joe Cooney was a bit of a legend, Brian Whelehan certainly, Tommy Walsh def needs a mention (he defies the laws of science a few times a year), Joe Canning I think might rise to that level, if Brian Corcoran hadn't played through an awful decade for Cork, he'd be there - somebody mentioned Lohan earlier...took me by surprise a bit. Great back certainly, but not in the all time greatest player league.

sickpuppy · 08-02-2008 04:25PM

Brendan Lynkskey who voted for DJ STEPS Carey?
needs head examined.He takes about 10 steps with ball in hand an
never got penalised.

ParkRunner · 08-02-2008 04:25PM

My granduncle Artie Foley of Wexford! Best keeper anyway!

junkster12345 · 10-02-2008 02:14AM

if the award was for passion then you would have to give it to john mullane for the " I LOVE WATERFORD TEARS" !!!!!

aidan24326 · 10-02-2008 09:42PM

With all these votes for the likes of Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard I'm presuming there's been a sudden influx of pensioners posting on boards. No point in voting for a player you've barely seen or only heard stories about.

In my lifetime of watching (I'm 31 so I can go back to early eighties) the best I've seen were, in no particular order:

1.Jimmy Barry Murphy (super hurler and great footballer aswell)
2.Joe Cooney (fantastic first touch and control. a real artist)
3.Henry Shefflin (has it all)
4.DJ Carey (some will say he's overrated, but there's no denying he had a touch of magic when on song)
5.Brian Whelehan (probably the best all-round player of his era)

If I had to single out one, Whelehan might get the nod, as he could play anywhere and be equally brilliant in any position. Moved to full forward in 98 final and shot 1-6.

FatherTed · 11-02-2008 10:36PM

I can remember as far back as the mid 70's, so I can remember a little of Eddie Keher who was great. Others... Ray Cummins, Jimmy Barry Murphy, John Connolly, Pat Hartigan, Pat Delaney(offaly), Eamon Creegan, John Fenton, Joe Cooney, Nickey English, Brian Whelehan, Brian Corcoran, DJ Carey, Henry Shefflin. All greats in their own right.

Zzippy · 12-02-2008 01:40AM

hawkwing wrote: »

I think it has to be Donal óg Cusack myself.

I really hope you're just having a laugh!

I'm not old enough to have seen Ring, Mackey, Rackard, Foley et al, have to live on tales passed down by the oul' lad. As a Corkman he was always biased towards Ring, but I know he also thought Des Foley was one of the best he had ever seen.
Of the hurlers I've seen, for sheer class, physique and hurling ability its Brian Whelehan. Close second is Brian Corcoran.
Honourable mentions to DJ, Henry Shefflin, Tommy Walsh, John Fenton, Eugene Coughlan, Tony Browne. The only current player I could see being regarded as an all-time great in the future is Walshe, if he improves any more he will be the best player of this generation.

DAC · 14-02-2008 07:32PM

i'd agree on all thats been sain about Brian Corcoran, Brain Lohan in his pomp was excellent, but for having the heart of a lion in adversity I'd pick Ciarian Carey of Limerick somewhere on my greatest team - he mightn't be the classiest hurler but he was a force of nature.

2Scoops · 18-02-2008 01:59AM

It's nearly impossible to compare players from different eras. The level of skill, and being skillful quickly, has changed utterly. Most of the players from the 80s and earlier, at their best, would not have lived with today's best in a simple 15 vs. 15 game. You could argue that they could have trained to modern standards and then would be the best, but that's the modh coinniollach.

The best player ever has played within the last 20 years and he's from Kilkenny.

2Scoops · 18-02-2008 01:59AM

hawkwing wrote: »

I think it has to be Donal óg Cusack myself.

FFS, he's not even the best goalie!

in2urcorners · 19-02-2008 01:25PM

Brian Corcoran and Ken McGrath would be on about the same level, dominating matches from CB all their careers but not being part of hugely successful teams tarnished them a bit. Ciaran Carey and Seanie Mc the same although they weren't anywhere near as good hurlers as the two mentioned previously.

IMO Shefflin, Tommy W. and Cha are all better hurlers than DJ was, this coming from a Cork man yes but it's no slur on KK as these 3 I think have the potential to dominate hurling for the forseeable future:(.

Honourable mention to John Troy who was unreal on his day,and my favourite hurler growing up(times were bad, had to look outside the county), imagine if he'd taken the game as seriously as Whelahan did?

Too many others to mention, let's hope this year unearths a few more for us to discuss in 10 years time. Step forward Joe Canning???

mollybird · 19-02-2008 02:19PM

in my time id have to say joe deane (Deano Cork), Dan Shanahan (Dan the Man Waterford) and i hate to say it but Henry Shefflin (kilkenny). god that was hard to say. now i have to wash my mouth out. sorry despise the cats. what can i say im a rebel fan!!

Greatest hurler ever..?

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