Why is there ever a debate about who was the best Irish Sports person ever? READ OP

Mister Vain · 22-07-2020 9:55pm

I think McGregor would need to fight for a few more years before he could be considered the greatest. He achieved a lot in a short period of time though.

Galwayguy35 · 22-07-2020 9:59pm

Mister Vain wrote: »

I think McGregor would need to fight for a few more years before he could be considered the greatest. He achieved a lot in a short period of time though.

I don't think he has any real interest in getting back in the ring, he is a multi millionaire and if he did something in the future like the Mayweather fight he would make as much for a nights work as he would for multiple fights in the UFC.

salmocab · 22-07-2020 9:59pm

Mister Vain wrote: »

I think McGregor would need to fight for a few more years before he could be considered the greatest. He achieved a lot in a short period of time though.

I dislike both him and MMA but he’s done impressive work there, he played a bit of a panto villain and reaped the rewards for it, he also to be fair in the main backed up his talk with great fighting.

Galwayguy35 · 22-07-2020 10:06pm

salmocab wrote: »

I dislike both him and MMA but he’s done impressive work there, he played a bit of a panto villain and reaped the rewards for it, he also to be fair in the main backed up his talk with great fighting.

He was Dana Whites cash cow as well, people thought he gave Mc special treatment but it was because he was his most popular fighter and made him millions.

Poorside · 22-07-2020 10:08pm

nullzero wrote: »

Hard to argue against Keane even if he is a divisive character.

He won everything at United and is undoubtedly United's most successful captain ever, no other Irish sportsperson compares. Had he won all those trophies for Liverpool he'd be better thought of in Ireland.

Very easy to argue against him, how many Leinster players have won everything they can multiple times apart from a world cup?

22-07-2020 10:09pm

Surprising to see a lack of rugby names here. Ronan O'Gara, Jack Kyle, Brian O'Driscoll? No? Moreso than soccer, these guys were genuinely world-class players and contributed a lot to the mood of the nation during some very rough times. Not that they're in Roy Keane's league but they sure do deserve a run at the title

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

I think Michelle Smith got a bit of a raw deal, she did win the medals but the controversy after overshadowed her achievement.

How did she get a raw deal? She got to keep her medals which is more than she deserved.

super_furry · 22-07-2020 10:10pm

It's clearly our three-time Olympic gold medal swimming champion Michelle Smith.

Strumms · 22-07-2020 10:13pm

Deleted User wrote: »

All on his own

No, but as a player, leader and often against the odds.

fergiesfolly · 22-07-2020 10:13pm

Eammon Coghlan.
World and European champion.
Held the World record for the indoor mile.
First man over 40 to run a sub minute mile.

Poorside · 22-07-2020 10:15pm

fergiesfolly wrote: »

Eammon Coghlan.
World and European champion.
Held the World record for the indoor mile.
First man over 40 to run a sub minute mile.

Paul o Donovan
European champion
Olympic silver medal
4 times world champion.

Not sure he'd run a sub minute mile though.

touts · 22-07-2020 10:17pm

Hard to compare them. Pretty sure McIlroy would hammer Katie Taylor on the golf course but wouldn't last a round with her in the ring. Different sports have different skills. There are even different skills within aports. Even in Rugby you might say Brian O'Driscoll was the greatest but he wouldn't last in the front row.

valoren · 22-07-2020 10:22pm

Denis Irwin pretty much has the medals to match Keane and was per Ferguson the first name down on the team sheet every week. He couldn't say the same for Keane because he was sent off routinely. I'm sure Irwin would have made a fine captain at United and for the national team if he desired and posited himself for the role.

hawkwing · 22-07-2020 10:22pm

Tom Kiely

Working class heroes · 22-07-2020 10:27pm

John Tracey.
Two world XC titles.
Olympic silver on his marathon debut.

Doc07 · 22-07-2020 10:29pm

Harrington
Sean Kelly/Stephen Roche
Sonya

mrkiscool2 · 22-07-2020 10:40pm

Strumms wrote: »

No way would you put Harrington up there, he’s shat the bed in numerous big competitions when he’s been leading. Ok three majors and around 06/07/08 he was something else.... a real purple patch..But .... blowing a three shot lead somewhere with three holes to play and he is interviewed... “ Padraig, you must be devastated ?”... PH : “ahhh sure, ahhh sure, look it’s a lovely day isn’t it.” He’s been second so often that it’s just bewildering.

Roy Keane :

7 Premier League Championships

4 FA Cups

1 Champions League

1 intercontinental Cup

1 Scottish League

1 Scottish League Cup

12 years at United, 13 trophies.

Dude. For about 3 years before he won the majors he was the second best golfer in the world and the only one to beat Woods in his prime in a playoff. He was, at his peak, one of the greatest golfers of all time and definitely the best European in that decade.

Strumms · 22-07-2020 10:43pm

valoren wrote: »

Denis Irwin pretty much has the medals to match Keane and was per Ferguson the first name down on the team sheet every week. He couldn't say the same for Keane because he was sent off routinely. I'm sure Irwin would have made a fine captain at United and for the national team if he desired and posited himself for the role.

I am a massive Irwin fan, one of the best fullbacks of the modern age.

Just using the EPL for convenience....Roy Keane averaged one red card every 52 premier league games for United. He simply wasn’t sent off routinely. People forget that while yes he was a physical player. 7 red cards in 366 United Premier League games, that’s not dirty, that’s not excessive.

He was booked 69 times in 366 appearances. He wasn’t really booked routinely in fact he wasn’t even for the position and style he had...

He was booked in 18.8% of League games.

Beechwoodspark · 22-07-2020 10:55pm

Again I would have to say nobody has equaled the heights Michelle Smith reached in 1996

Poorside · 22-07-2020 10:56pm

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Again I would have to say nobody has really equaled the heights Michelle Smith reached in 1996

1 year,
Stephen Roche beats that out the door.

mrkiscool2 · 22-07-2020 10:58pm

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Again I would have to say nobody has equaled the heights Michelle Smith reached in 1996

Being found not guilty=/=innocent. Its pretty clear she doped in any respectabiles person's eye

Strumms · 22-07-2020 11:02pm

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Again I would have to say nobody has equaled the heights Michelle Smith reached in 1996

3 gold and a bronze in Atlanta.

Between ‘95 and ‘97 she won 4 gold and 3 silver in those two European championships .

Great going.

ErnestBorgnine · 22-07-2020 11:05pm

Strumms wrote: »

3 gold and a bronze in Atlanta.

Between ‘95 and ‘97 she won 4 gold and 3 silver in those two European championships .

Great going.

Hard to disagree, she was an animal.

Hard as nails, pissed pure whiskey

jaxxx · 22-07-2020 11:07pm

italodisco wrote: »

I hate to say it, as I can't stand him, but conor mcgregor would certainly be up there on the list

I'd get myself to Specsavers mate. OP asked who was the greatest Irish sports person, not greatest Irish thug.

My vote goes to Padraig Harrington, even though i don't like him.

Nah just kidding.

Agree with Michelle Smith recommendation above.

Strumms · 22-07-2020 11:13pm

ErnestBorgnine wrote: »

Hard to disagree, she was an animal.

Hard as nails, pissed pure whiskey

Teachers I believe, well she gave her competitors a hard lesson.

irishguitarlad · 22-07-2020 11:14pm

Just saw where someone on this thread said that we would have beaten Brazil in the the 02 world cup with Keane. Not a chance I'm afraid, you are forgeting that the Brazilians had Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo, probably one of the best attacking trios to ever play the Game. I actually watched highlights of the 02 wc final today, the scoreline flattered the Germans as the Brazilians had chance after chance in the first half and hit the post and the bar. That second goal by Ronaldo though, when Rivaldo stood over the ball and let It run to Ronaldo, some awareness, brilliant goal.

Poorside · 22-07-2020 11:18pm

irishguitarlad wrote: »

Just saw where someone on this thread said that we would have beaten Brazil in the the 02 world cup with Keane. Not a chance I'm afraid, you are forgeting that the Brazilians had Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo, probably one of the best attacking trios to ever play the Game. I actually watched highlights of the 02 wc final today, the scoreline flattered the Germans as the Brazilians had chance after chance in the first half and hit the post and the bar. That second goal by Ronaldo though, when Rivaldo stood over the ball and let It run to Ronaldo, some awareness, brilliant goal.

So that's a no.

mrkiscool2 · 22-07-2020 11:28pm

irishguitarlad wrote: »

Just saw where someone on this thread said that we would have beaten Brazil in the the 02 world cup with Keane. Not a chance I'm afraid, you are forgeting that the Brazilians had Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo, probably one of the best attacking trios to ever play the Game. I actually watched highlights of the 02 wc final today, the scoreline flattered the Germans as the Brazilians had chance after chance in the first half and hit the post and the bar. That second goal by Ronaldo though, when Rivaldo stood over the ball and let It run to Ronaldo, some awareness, brilliant goal.

Funny how people also forget England should have beaten them in the quarters though. A Seaman howler and numerous missed chances by the English and they were on their way in the weirdestly one sided semis ever.

22-07-2020 11:48pm

ErnestBorgnine wrote: »

Hard to disagree, she was an animal.

Hard as nails, pissed pure whiskey

You almost made me choke on my popcorn you fcuker.

ChelseaRentBoy · 22-07-2020 11:49pm

sxt wrote: »

Roy Keane

There is no other Irish person close. Who ever is second, is a distant second

He is the most influential sports person in Irish sporting History, and in British football history

Any objections?

Keane is a traitor.

Joey Dunlop and its not even close.

begbysback · 22-07-2020 11:54pm

jaxxx wrote: »

I'd get myself to Specsavers mate. OP asked who was the greatest Irish sports person, not greatest Irish thug.

My vote goes to Padraig Harrington, even though i don't like him.

Nah just kidding.

Agree with Michelle Smith recommendation above.

Think those suggesting Michelle smith were taking the piss mate

begbysback · 22-07-2020 11:59pm

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

I think Michelle Smith got a bit of a raw deal, she did win the medals but the controversy after overshadowed her achievement.

Oh cmon ffs, Lance Armstrong was cleaner than Michelle smith

valoren · 23-07-2020 12:01am

Strumms wrote: »

I am a massive Irwin fan, one of the best fullbacks of the modern age.

Just using the EPL for convenience....Roy Keane averaged one red card every 52 premier league games for United. He simply wasn’t sent off routinely. People forget that while yes he was a physical player. 7 red cards in 366 United Premier League games, that’s not dirty, that’s not excessive.

He was booked 69 times in 366 appearances. He wasn’t really booked routinely in fact he wasn’t even for the position and style he had...

He was booked in 18.8% of League games.

It's feasible to say that, taking into account the red and yellow cards and the FA suspension for the biography in 2002 and disregarding injuries, Keane was suspended for the equivalent of a full season of league games over the course of his United career?

There was also the infamous suspension where he missed out on the crowning achievement of that era at the Nou Camp. I guess when Keanes modus operandi was tackling to regain possession then suspensions were an occupational hazard but you can be an excellent player and captain but it's all irrelevant unless you're on the pitch.

BagheeraBlue · 23-07-2020 12:01am

Liam Brady and Giles are far better footballers than Keane ever was

Pherekydes · 23-07-2020 12:04am

valoren wrote: »

Rory McIlroy.

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Harrington without a doubt.

Come on guys! Neither play a sport!

Water John · 23-07-2020 12:07am

The best soccer player would be between McGrath and Brady. Watching Brady play esp in Italy he was in the class of Platini. Keane was good engine but not a midfield maestro.

valoren · 23-07-2020 12:12am

Pherekydes wrote: »

Come on guys! Neither play a sport!

Sport

noun

an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.

McIlroy's average driving distance? 312 yards.
Try hitting a golf ball that distance and tell me you didn't physically exert yourself. Try doing it with some semblance of accuracy and tell me it didn't involve skill.

If sponsors are putting up millions of dollars as reward (ie. Sport) for being able to do the above successfully then you'll be hard pressed to find those who compete for it to be anything but athletic and thus involved in a sport.

Pherekydes · 23-07-2020 12:14am

cj maxx wrote: »

Eamon Coughlan

Lorcanber1 wrote: »

Eamon Coughlan would have to be my choice
Chairman of the boards!

Facepalm. :mad:

ahnowbrowncow wrote: »

He's a good shout. However, Ray Flynn holds the national record for 1500m and the mile

How many times did he beat Coghlan (see what I did there?)?

Water John · 23-07-2020 12:21am

We had a number of world class male middle distance runners. The one with the most natural talent but handicapped by injury and sadly deceased was Fanahan McSweeney. Sorry for the side track.

23-07-2020 12:33am

valoren wrote: »

Sport

noun

an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.

McIlroy's average driving distance? 312 yards.
Try hitting a golf ball that distance and tell me you didn't physically exert yourself. Try doing it with some semblance of accuracy and tell me it didn't involve skill.

Guy Boros. Professional "athlete"

Quantum Erasure · 23-07-2020 12:49am

begbysback wrote: »

Think those suggesting Michelle smith were taking the piss mate

They weren't the only ones...

Strumms · 23-07-2020 12:51am

valoren wrote: »

It's feasible to say that, taking into account the red and yellow cards and the FA suspension for the biography in 2002 and disregarding injuries, Keane was suspended for the equivalent of a full season of league games over the course of his United career?

There was also the infamous suspension where he missed out on the crowning achievement of that era at the Nou Camp. I guess when Keanes modus operandi was tackling to regain possession then suspensions were an occupational hazard but you can be an excellent player and captain but it's all irrelevant unless you're on the pitch.

He was suspended for the Nou Camp, so was Paul Scholes.

Greats of the game who also missed Champions League Finals due to suspensions... Alessandro Costacurta, Xabi Alonso are two off the top of my head. It happens, Keane was a physical player, as was Scholes.

Tomaldo · 23-07-2020 12:53am

Stephen Cluxton

Strumms · 23-07-2020 1:22am

Tomaldo wrote: »

Stephen Cluxton

Leinster titles
15
All-Irelands
7
NFL
5
All Stars
6

He has scored 66 points too in inter county football

Meet the guy and you’d never even get the impression he’d won a goldfish in a fairground. 27 titles, fuçk !

Truthvader · 23-07-2020 1:28am

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Michelle Smith de Bruin

Really?

She was so jacked back in the day she could have won the Grand National.

Disqualified

Truthvader · 23-07-2020 1:29am

mrkiscool2 wrote: »

Its between Taylor and Padraig Harrington for me. I think with what KT has done she edges it but I will always have a soft spot for Paddy.

Sorry "golf" is not a sport. Auld lads walk and a chat

Quantum Erasure · 23-07-2020 1:30am

Ken Doherty

Truthvader · 23-07-2020 1:45am

Would pick pretty much any footballer before Kean.

No matter how good you are you have to show up. When the wet hour came Kean had hissy fit because his pillow was too hard or the training ground wasn't mowed the way he wanted it or whatever. Maybe a good football player but fails the "Irish" test by putting his sulky little self first.

Ronnie Delaney for me. Gold medal when Sport was still sport for sport. Did the business then got on with his life. Gentleman

Can't buy class; as the likes of Kean, McGregor, De Bruin, McIlroy will never know

Strumms · 23-07-2020 1:48am

Quantum Erasure wrote: »

Ken Doherty

Been in 17 ranking tournament finals including 3 world championships finals, only won 6 out of the 17, 35% success rate just, that’s very poor having done the hard work to get there, so regularly to a final.... seemed that when pressure was telling he lost it a bit... great player at his peak but I remember in those finals him missing reasonably straight forward pots and I wonder was it his nerve or temperament letting him down, the ability was there.

ShatterAlan · 23-07-2020 1:57am

sxt wrote: »

Roy Keane

There is no other Irish person close. Who ever is second, is a distant second

He is the most influential sports person in Irish sporting History, and in British football history

Any objections?

Big fan of Roy but Robbie scored more goals.

I don't think his tally will ever be beaten again unless we get some Mo Salah immigrant playing for the national team.

Tomaldo · 23-07-2020 2:16am

Strumms wrote: »

Leinster titles
15
All-Irelands
7
NFL
5
All Stars
6

He has scored 66 points too in inter county football

Meet the guy and you’d never even get the impression he’d won a goldfish in a fairground. 27 titles, fuçk !

Sadly I've never met him, but I admire him so much, but I shud a mentioned The Gooch as well, why wasn't he born in Tallaght or Ballymun

Why is there ever a debate about who was the best Irish Sports person ever? *READ OP*

Comments

Why is there ever a debate about who was the best Irish Sports person ever? READ OP