Team of The Ages
Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:56 pm
I’m sure it’s been done lots of times but for want of something better to do I thought I’d put together my own fantasy Offaly football team. My memory goes back to vague recall of the 71/72 team so that’s where I started. The following is my selection, theres probably lots of well known lads who I haven’t included. But anyways……….
Goalkeeper: Martin Furlong
Only one real candidate here for me.
Right Full Back: Cathal Daly
At his best, Cathal was as good a corner back as I have seen anywhere. The only other outstanding candidates I can think of are Mick Ryan and Mick Fitzgerald, but I’ll come to Ryan in a minute.
Full Back: Paddy McCormack
Liam O’Connor was a very effective full back. In time Conor Evans, if he gets back could come into contention. I remember coming home from England in the early 90’s and going to Breffni Park to see a league quarter final against Cavan that should have been won. Think Ken Kellaghan was full back and impressed. I’m told Greg Hughes was a great player but I have no recall of him. At the end of the day “The Iron Man” is a legend.
Left Full Back: Mick Ryan
Again memories are a little vague and I think he played in the right corner, but to accommodate Daly I would give Ryan the nod over Mick Lowry/Fitzgerald.
Right Half Back: Finbarr Cullen
Eugene Mulligan, another legend, Barry Mooney worth a mention, and Pat Fitzgerald was a stylish player, but Cullen was a class act. I can’t give him the centre, so I’ll put him on the wing.
Centre Half Back: Sean Lowry
Hard to argue with two All Irelands in the same position, 10 years apart. Never the quickiest but had the physique, intelligence and skills to qualify for legendary status. Was tough as teak too. Richie Connor, though on the 40 in 82 was probably more at home here, Finbarr deserves a mention but is accommodated on the wing.
Left Half Back: Liam Currams
Maybe not the most skilful footballer but superb athlete great pace, would be perfectly at home in todays game. Tom Coffey deserves a mention and Slatts is a close second but Currams physique give him the nod for me.
Midfield: Padraig Dunne and Johnny Mooney
Tomás O’Connor,Gerry Carroll, Willie Bryan, Kieran Claffey, Ronan Mooney, Jim Grennan, lots to choose from here. If Tomás had been more robust in build he would have been a great, if Claffey stayed healthy, but the arrival of the very young P Dunne was key in the 82 win. Though Mooney was played more often in the forwards I think he was truly a midfielder. Spectacular fielder when in the mood, brilliant skills and a rogueish strain. My favourite player as a young fan.
Right Half Forward: Ciarán MacManus
Maybe not his best position but has to be included, Paddy Fenning worth a mention, just missing out on the 80’s team. Aidan O’Halloran looked good but faded, Remember seeing a young Martin Fitzpatrick coming onto the team just as the 80’s team broke up. Looked good an was unlucky to miss out. Colm Quinn the most recent candidate.
Centre Half Forward : Kevin Kilmurray
Richie Connor, Sean Grennan two great enforcers, but our favourite man at the moment gets the nod. Had the privilege of playing against Kevin Kilmurray at the end of his career when I was a young lad. Apart from his All Ireland wins he was also very influential in bringing on the you guns in the late 70’s and was unlucky to miss out on the breakthrough in 1980.
Left Half Forward: Tony McTeague
Gerry Carroll, great athlete another midfielder at heart, but too inconsistent. The great Tony McTeague simply can’t be passed over, would be worth his weight in gold now.
Right Corner Forward: Peter Brady
If you ever wanted a corner forward to play a withdrawn role Brady was yer man. Brilliant footballer. Niall Mc may get up there in time but has a bit to prove yet.
Full Forward: Matt Connor
Left Corner Forward: Brendan Lowry
Tough choice here between Lowry and Vinnie Claffey.
I think Lowry was more the quintessential corner forward while Vinnie maybe was a more rounded footballer.
Seamus Darby, how could I have forgotten. Like Sean Lowry, two all irelands ten years apart. That goal. And the forgotten performance when he bagged 1-3 from play in the Leinster final against the Buds.
Goalkeeper: Martin Furlong
Only one real candidate here for me.
Right Full Back: Cathal Daly
At his best, Cathal was as good a corner back as I have seen anywhere. The only other outstanding candidates I can think of are Mick Ryan and Mick Fitzgerald, but I’ll come to Ryan in a minute.
Full Back: Paddy McCormack
Liam O’Connor was a very effective full back. In time Conor Evans, if he gets back could come into contention. I remember coming home from England in the early 90’s and going to Breffni Park to see a league quarter final against Cavan that should have been won. Think Ken Kellaghan was full back and impressed. I’m told Greg Hughes was a great player but I have no recall of him. At the end of the day “The Iron Man” is a legend.
Left Full Back: Mick Ryan
Again memories are a little vague and I think he played in the right corner, but to accommodate Daly I would give Ryan the nod over Mick Lowry/Fitzgerald.
Right Half Back: Finbarr Cullen
Eugene Mulligan, another legend, Barry Mooney worth a mention, and Pat Fitzgerald was a stylish player, but Cullen was a class act. I can’t give him the centre, so I’ll put him on the wing.
Centre Half Back: Sean Lowry
Hard to argue with two All Irelands in the same position, 10 years apart. Never the quickiest but had the physique, intelligence and skills to qualify for legendary status. Was tough as teak too. Richie Connor, though on the 40 in 82 was probably more at home here, Finbarr deserves a mention but is accommodated on the wing.
Left Half Back: Liam Currams
Maybe not the most skilful footballer but superb athlete great pace, would be perfectly at home in todays game. Tom Coffey deserves a mention and Slatts is a close second but Currams physique give him the nod for me.
Midfield: Padraig Dunne and Johnny Mooney
Tomás O’Connor,Gerry Carroll, Willie Bryan, Kieran Claffey, Ronan Mooney, Jim Grennan, lots to choose from here. If Tomás had been more robust in build he would have been a great, if Claffey stayed healthy, but the arrival of the very young P Dunne was key in the 82 win. Though Mooney was played more often in the forwards I think he was truly a midfielder. Spectacular fielder when in the mood, brilliant skills and a rogueish strain. My favourite player as a young fan.
Right Half Forward: Ciarán MacManus
Maybe not his best position but has to be included, Paddy Fenning worth a mention, just missing out on the 80’s team. Aidan O’Halloran looked good but faded, Remember seeing a young Martin Fitzpatrick coming onto the team just as the 80’s team broke up. Looked good an was unlucky to miss out. Colm Quinn the most recent candidate.
Centre Half Forward : Kevin Kilmurray
Richie Connor, Sean Grennan two great enforcers, but our favourite man at the moment gets the nod. Had the privilege of playing against Kevin Kilmurray at the end of his career when I was a young lad. Apart from his All Ireland wins he was also very influential in bringing on the you guns in the late 70’s and was unlucky to miss out on the breakthrough in 1980.
Left Half Forward: Tony McTeague
Gerry Carroll, great athlete another midfielder at heart, but too inconsistent. The great Tony McTeague simply can’t be passed over, would be worth his weight in gold now.
Right Corner Forward: Peter Brady
If you ever wanted a corner forward to play a withdrawn role Brady was yer man. Brilliant footballer. Niall Mc may get up there in time but has a bit to prove yet.
Full Forward: Matt Connor
Left Corner Forward: Brendan Lowry
Tough choice here between Lowry and Vinnie Claffey.
I think Lowry was more the quintessential corner forward while Vinnie maybe was a more rounded footballer.
Seamus Darby, how could I have forgotten. Like Sean Lowry, two all irelands ten years apart. That goal. And the forgotten performance when he bagged 1-3 from play in the Leinster final against the Buds.