We thought that it was bad enough that the Gooch and Tommy Walsh were back to 2015 but this is much worse!

The Genius Magician is back!

http://balls.ie/gaa/230934-some-young-lad-named-maurice-fitzgerald-is-still-playing-football/

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13705 - 23/02/2015 17:15:11    1696054

Still looks in good shape fair play to him!

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8586 - 23/02/2015 17:19:10    1696058

Easily the most skilful and naturally gifted player of the past 30 years. Was treated very badly by Paidi O Se and Kerry at the end of his inter-country career. Always resorted to bringing him on to dig them out of a hole when stuck though, which was telling. Would have been interesting to see how he fared had he came back in 2004 under Jack O'Connor

32_4_1 (Meath) - Posts: 4122 - 23/02/2015 18:20:53    1696080

The most enjoyable footballer I've ever seen play.

THAT point in Thurles! Broke our hearts but you just had to applaud the sheer skill of it, especially with Tommy Lyons roaring in his ear!

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13705 - 23/02/2015 19:09:55    1696096

God always be god to you Maurice, a King in a Kingdom of Kings...

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 24/02/2015 12:06:05    1696258

MesAmis
County: Dublin
Posts: 8303

1696096
The most enjoyable footballer I've ever seen play.

THAT point in Thurles! Broke our hearts but you just had to applaud the sheer skill of it, especially with Tommy Lyons roaring in his ear!

That should read Tommy Carr! Doh!

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13705 - 24/02/2015 12:25:39    1696270

Hermit
Would it not be more appropriate to give Maurice the appellation of 'Earl' or 'Knight' in view of the fact that he is a proud bearer of the Fitzgerald name.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4317 - 24/02/2015 12:32:41    1696276

He made fools out of all stars in Croker, can you image what he did to mere mortals in local county league games, I remember one year I was picked at corner forward and ear marked to fall back on a 2 vs one on Maurice.. he made two tits of us… ah man had to admire him.

Horsebox77 (Kerry) - Posts: 5491 - 24/02/2015 12:34:22    1696278

MesAmis
County: Dublin
Posts: 8304

1696096
The most enjoyable footballer I've ever seen play.

THAT point in Thurles! Broke our hearts but you just had to applaud the sheer skill of it, especially with Tommy Lyons roaring in his ear!

------
Tommy Carr? Not one of Tommy's better moments it has to be said.

Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4700 - 24/02/2015 12:44:24    1696282

Your probably right Oldmantour: Earl of the Kingdom has a nice ring to it.

Its so strange, with All Ireland medals flowing out of our pockets, perhaps our greatest only ever won two and no man did more than Maurice to help us win them. Ten points in the final in 1997 and came off the bench twice to save us against Armagh in 2000.

As another poster said, it would have been fascinating to see how Jack would have handled him rather than Paidi. One thing is for sure he had a lot left to give.

For those outside Kerry and of an older generation, how would you rate Maurice v the Gooch? Different sorts of players I know but I'm curious about non-native views...

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 24/02/2015 13:59:43    1696321

Think he's past it tbh. Can't see him getting back in the kerry squad, they're very strong at the moment and he lacks match practice

pat_custard (Meath) - Posts: 125 - 24/02/2015 14:51:03    1696342

TheHermit
County: Kerry
Posts: 392

For those outside Kerry and of an older generation, how would you rate Maurice v the Gooch? Different sorts of players I know but I'm curious about non-native views...

Gooch probably more consistent maybe but Mo Fitz could do things on a pitch that no one else could do. Name whoever you want but no one had/has the sheer ability that Fitzgerald had. He was magic!

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13705 - 24/02/2015 15:02:15    1696355

Different players for sure, think I'd just about go with the Gooch, not sure how Maurice would have dealt with today's game, but very little in it!

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8586 - 24/02/2015 15:07:08    1696357

If you had to pick one it. I'd have to be Fitz. Could mix it physically as well as having supreme skills. The Gooch can be roughed up and put off his game - like when the tyrone lads bit him and poked him in the eye in two finals. Also when Dublin raked studs over the Goochs' head in the 2013 semi and he didn't score again.
You couldn't do that to Maurice Fitz.

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1105 - 24/02/2015 15:26:41    1696365

tirawleybaron
County: Mayo
Posts: 303

1696365
If you had to pick one it. I'd have to be Fitz. Could mix it physically as well as having supreme skills. The Gooch can be roughed up and put off his game - like when the tyrone lads bit him and poked him in the eye in two finals. Also when Dublin raked studs over the Goochs' head in the 2013 semi and he didn't score again.
You couldn't do that to Maurice Fitz.

----
Yeah in fairness he rolled with the punches. When the Dubs gave him a welcoming few belts in Thurles when he came on as a sub, retaliation for the treatment dished out to Vinny Murphy when he came on, Fitz calmly slotted that point over from the sideline with not a care in the world. I was a huge fan of his languid style. He always reminded me of the Blue Panther when he was in his prime in the 70s. But for close control skill in tight situations and the ability to slot a pass through a polo mint, the Gooch trumps him.

Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4700 - 24/02/2015 17:31:40    1696424

scored an unbelievable point v Cavan in NewYork in 1997 league match. backheeled the ball to Mike Francis Russell to stop it going over the sideline, tokk a quick return and curled it over the bar from impossible angle. although to be fair he had a penalty saved the same day (im sure it was him that took it). has anyone got any clips of this game. would love to see it on video. I was there (as were thousands of cavan fans in Randalls Island.

s goldrick (Cavan) - Posts: 5518 - 24/02/2015 18:22:48    1696450

Joxer
County: Dublin
Posts: 1968

Yeah in fairness he rolled with the punches. When the Dubs gave him a welcoming few belts in Thurles when he came on as a sub, retaliation for the treatment dished out to Vinny Murphy when he came on, Fitz calmly slotted that point over from the sideline with not a care in the world. I was a huge fan of his languid style. He always reminded me of the Blue Panther when he was in his prime in the 70s. But for close control skill in tight situations and the ability to slot a pass through a polo mint, the Gooch trumps him.

Gooch might trump him for close control skill in tight situations, but certainly not for ball through the eye of the needle stuff.

32_4_1 (Meath) - Posts: 4122 - 24/02/2015 18:47:03    1696463

Was a great win for Kerry B team sunday. What will they be like when have Darren OSulliva,Donncha Walsh,James O'Donoghue,Marc OSe,Aidan O'Mahony,Brian Kelly & Tom Welsh,Peter Crowley ,Killian Young playing from the start. They be no stopping them. 3/1 to win All Ireland & 11/4 for league. Going to put €100 it a sure bet. The dubs are finished. Were in transition Mayo dont have the bottle

HughHunt24 (Cork) - Posts: 841 - 03/03/2015 11:49:18    1698630

Class act, but the gooch is a better all round footballer. Being better at eye of a needle stuff simply means he was a more accurate long range kicker. The same argument can be made for bryan Sheehan, doesn't mean he is a better player though

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 03/03/2015 12:07:11    1698647

2 class actsI have to disagree.I thought Maurice Fitz was the better all round player he was comfortable anywhere 8-15. If would of made a great centre back too.

Maurice Fitzgerald 107 gamesScored 23-442(St. Marys Caherciveen)511pts (4.8 pts per gm)
Colm Cooper 128 gamesScored 31-406(Dr. Crokes)499pts (3.9 pts per gm)

Maurice Fitz took frees Gouch prob scored more from play
Bryan Sheehan is similar to Maurice but wouldnt have had his engine

HughHunt24 (Cork) - Posts: 841 - 03/03/2015 12:56:55    1698679