The Greatest forward I've ever seen in Eoin Kelly has retired. I'm biased but even great stick men like Mullane and Brennan hadn't the skill level of Kelly.
At his best there has been no better. His goal of his left side against Cusack was one of the fiercest strikes I've seen. Only joe canning could hit a ball as sweet. He carried the Tipp forward line for many years and despite not being the quickest he could make space so easily. 2009 and 2010 finals he was excellent. Will be missed.
Thanks Eoin! Enjoy your retirement!

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 01/12/2014 20:00:09    1675848

When I saw the tread topic saying The Greatest I thought it was another one about Frankie Dolan!

Maybe the tread name should have just read Eoin Kelly. Good luck to him - class act, great that he has a couple of All-Irelands

Henry Shefflin

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1421 - 01/12/2014 20:55:40    1675860

DUnno, i reckon Henry Shefflin might be better....

wishfulthinkin (Cavan) - Posts: 1689 - 01/12/2014 20:58:35    1675864

Surpasses English and fox for me as Tipps best. Certainly close to the best forward Ive seen. Only DJ and Henry spring to mind as better in my time

Brianmac78 (Dublin) - Posts: 1168 - 01/12/2014 21:54:40    1675881

Great player, definitely would be in my top 10 forwards of the last 20 years. Injuries hampered his career, probably unlucky to be bowing out with just 2 all irelands.

Faithfull (Offaly) - Posts: 573 - 01/12/2014 21:56:43    1675882

The greatest forward of the last 15 years. Hurled against him when he was at Kieran's. A special talent. Always felt it a pity Tipp hid him at corner forward when he was always so much more dangerous in the half forward line.

icehonesty (Wexford) - Posts: 2553 - 02/12/2014 09:26:27    1675894

Johnny B got it spot on!!!

Eoin Kelly Son of God
Strikes that ball like a lightning rod
The greatest player I seen in my life
Cuts through teams like a surgeons knife

You would have to write a novel to list all this guys achievements and what he has done for Tipp hurling. Won many a game on his own 0-15 vs Limerick stands out in my mind couple of years ago.
Also his respect for the greatest team ever witnessed with that 2010 all Ireland winning speech shows what a gentleman he is.
The making of Eoin Kelly was in Cork vs Clare 2001 when I think Colin Lynch turned him upside with a shoulder but he still managed to hold possession and set up up an attack. As we say in Tipp " That's the day the boy became a man "

Happy retirement Kid Kelly. An absolute Legend.

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 02/12/2014 09:50:31    1675899

He was a class act and yes he was probably the best corner forward of his generation, better than Brennan and Mullane. And they were some men. As much as I hate Tipp being a Kilkenny man, the likes of Kelly earned my respect on and off the field. Same goes for Liam Sheedy. Still though I wouldn't say he is the greatest ever. Shefflin and Carey were better forwards

deadybai (Kilkenny) - Posts: 63 - 02/12/2014 10:02:53    1675902

Definitely one of the top class forwards. He dragged poor Tipp teams through many a game. Would have thought he still had plenty of time to achieve more with what was deemed to be a great Tipp team from 2009. However despite playing on a supposedly top class Tipp team that wasn't to be. Disappointingly,, like a lot of the Tipp players he found the last few years frustrating and even turned nasty. His time had come.

westisthebest (Galway) - Posts: 444 - 02/12/2014 10:26:40    1675908

A good forward but he couldn't turn a game like Eddie Brennan could. And definitely wouldn't touch Carey! DJ had it all the best forward I ever saw!

dirtybag (Cavan) - Posts: 242 - 02/12/2014 11:25:13    1675920

He was at our club dinner dance on Friday night. Myself and himself made a wee bet which I won - didn't expect him to follow through with his forfeit but seems he has. Sorry Tipp for retiring one of your best - revenge for '89......

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 02/12/2014 11:42:42    1675925

A great hurler,enjoy your retirement Eoin,

mooncat (Kilkenny) - Posts: 534 - 02/12/2014 12:57:29    1675945

A Tipperary great.No doubt about it.Beautiful sticks man.Silky touch and one of the greatest free takers of all time.The one thing he was lacking was raw pace.His legs were gone over 2 years ago.Enjoy your retirement Mr Kelly.Youve earned your rest.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 02/12/2014 14:10:55    1675970

He was playing with a bad back as well from about 2009 on-wards.
Not many in Tipp bar South Tipp men had heard of him when he was 16 and named as sub goalie for a AI QF vs Galway.
Considering the rivalry Tipp have with every other hurling county some of his best mates are Limerick & Kilkenny players. Just shows the character of the guy off the field and how well he is liked.

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 02/12/2014 16:16:53    1676024

A great player and always very gracious, both in victory and in defeat.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 02/12/2014 19:27:27    1676092

Best forward of the last 20 Years with DJ.

Shefflin's had a more successful playing career but the 2 above were better Hurlers.

Dessie13 (Dublin) - Posts: 70 - 03/12/2014 10:57:12    1676224

For me the most balanced forward I've seen.Sheflin Brennan etc top class too but for me Kelly above them all.

someday (Limerick) - Posts: 1104 - 03/12/2014 11:42:09    1676238

tiobraid
County: Tipperary
Posts: 1340

1675848 The Greatest forward I've ever seen in Eoin Kelly has retired. I'm biased but even great stick men like Mullane and Brennan hadn't the skill level of Kelly.
At his best there has been no better. His goal of his left side against Cusack was one of the fiercest strikes I've seen. Only joe canning could hit a ball as sweet. He carried the Tipp forward line for many years and despite not being the quickest he could make space so easily. 2009 and 2010 finals he was excellent. Will be missed.
Thanks Eoin! Enjoy your retirement!

Two words for you tiobraid.....Joseph Canning. Argument over.

Turndownforwhat (Galway) - Posts: 53 - 04/12/2014 11:36:48    1676534

2 words for you.Boring.Unfunny.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 04/12/2014 12:05:52    1676545

Kelly has been a great player over the years.

A mention too for our own Stephen Hiney who retired this morning. One of best players to wear the sky blue.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 04/12/2014 12:17:18    1676552