Was John Mc a better modern day midfielder than Darragh O Se...i certainly think he was!!

brianfantana (Meath) - Posts: 65 - 20/02/2010 18:04:29    568084

John Mc Dermott was an excellent midfielder no debate about that, however O'Sea won 6 - All-Irelands at midfield and started over 50 consecutive championship matches in midfield and was on the Kerry team for 16 years - I think. I would, considering everything, put him ahead of Jack O'Sea as he was competing in a more competive championship and Daragh's record would be difficult to best.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 20/02/2010 19:04:40    568146

2 great midfielders no doubt,big Darragh was a better all round footballer though in my opinion.

RoylerKing (Meath) - Posts: 809 - 20/02/2010 19:47:04    568181

Given that Darragh has just hung up the boots after 16 amazing and successful years perhaps now is not the time for such a debate, however for my part great and all as John Mc was, and I loved him as a footballer, Darragh O'Se had a longer and more sucessful career for which he was the backbone each and every year. He will rank up there with the Mick O'Connell's and Jack O'Shea's of this world. Its a bit unfair to John to compare him to the likes of that as he was immense and succesful in his own right in his day.

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3747 - 20/02/2010 20:30:01    568229

there are very few footballers who could dominate midfield like either of these guys. Big Mac was easily the best fielder of the ball I've ever seen, the kerry man had a better engine. Close call.

Ochocinco (Meath) - Posts: 82 - 20/02/2010 21:00:29    568265

It shows how good John Mc was, been compared to Daragh O'Se and the 'who was better' debates!
Meath wouldnt have the same sucess in the 90's or got to the all-ireland final in 01 if Big John wasnt there!!
Daragh had better players around him for most of his career which helped him greatly!

To close for me to call...

MyGeneration (Meath) - Posts: 124 - 20/02/2010 21:02:16    568268

dead heat..

mynameisfrank (Meath) - Posts: 2 - 21/02/2010 09:48:54    568331

Ah lads come on Dara O' Se by an undulating country mile... Big Mac was a mighty footballer, I remember he was an average junior player when he was playing for Curraha but when when he switched to Skryne he was a revelation, I dont think he played underage for the county..You measure these guys in what they have in their back pocket. John McDermott had five more inches than Dara but yet O' Se would play any of them. One of my greatest memories of Big Mac was when he was captain down under against the aussies when O' Rorke was at the helm great year for the royal that year.... Personally I would say Liam Hayes was the best midfielder to wear the green

summerof09 (Meath) - Posts: 327 - 21/02/2010 10:01:42    568333

Re Summer of 09,

In reply of your comment about John Mc being an average junior footballer at Curraha, he was actually on the Meath U21's while at Curraha. So your little dig towards Curraha is quite obvious. Try and learn a bit about football before making comments on this tread.

In my opinion he was a better fielder of the ball than O Se but O Se was a better all rounder.

2 legends of the game all the same.

Podge85 (Meath) - Posts: 96 - 21/02/2010 11:04:34    568348

Summerof09 - I was with you right up until the last line. Liam Hayes wasnt even the best Meath midfielder in 87/88. John McDermott and Gerry McEntee were easily the two best midfielders I have ever seen in green (since the very early eighties) and I have no doubt Ard-Ri could throw out another few names from earlier times (he has seen every Meath team since about 1920). For what it is worth, my father reckoned Jack Quinn was as good a midfielder as he had seen until he switched to full back.

anfearbeag (Meath) - Posts: 1134 - 21/02/2010 11:29:33    568365

My generations comment quote: Darragh OShea had better players around him. That comment is a bit hollow and I'm not sure what you have been watching!! McDermot had some of the best players the county ever produced around him Gilles, O'Dowd, Gerathy, Murphy, Fay- must I go on. O'Sea would have been in top two midfielders in the country for at least 10 of the 16 years he played in midfield and that takes nothing away from McDermot significant contribution to Meath success

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 21/02/2010 12:28:26    568399

Browncows I'l tell ya who ive been watchin!!
Moynahan, Cooper, Maurice Fitz, Paul Galvin, T O'Se, M O'se, Murphy, Hassett, need I go on??

Are you really trying to tell me Meath have had better players than Kerry over the last 16 year? All the players you mentioned albeit with a few extra letters, are legends of Meath football and were outstanding players but unfortunatly we havent had near the same supply as Kerry!!

Back on track, John Mac-class act!

MyGeneration (Meath) - Posts: 124 - 21/02/2010 13:30:16    568456

I have seen many great mid-fielders and both would have been up there in the top five. However if the debate is between John and Darragh then I'm going for big John. He would be the one to rectify a situation and get the other great players going when it was needed. I think he was better at this then Darragh so he gets my vote. However neither were as good as Jack O'Shea or Gerry McEntee. Just my opinion.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 21/02/2010 15:11:47    568560

My Generation, try Gillic,Martin O Connell,Brendan Reilly, Enda McManus,Cormac Sullivan, Mark Reilly.

Instead of comparing medals, ask your self a question if u were picking a team and u had a choice between O'Se or McDermott, who would u pick, personally I would go for McDermott, however I agree with Ard Ri, McEntee ahead of them all.

I know there's no such thing as a handy all-ireland but if you removed Mayo and the back door, O'Se's medal haul would be quiet poor.
Take also into account the complete farce that is Munster football and Kerry have a major advantage over the rest.
There's no way Paul McGrane or the Tyrone midfield would get the better of McDermott. Looking back now it was a pity for Meath McDermott did not have a decent partner. O'Se was carried last year in most games by Scanlon who won an all-star. Kirby won an all-star in 97 so it's fair to say O'Se wasnt on his own in the middle for Kerry.

It was interesting last week to hear him praise very other midfield player apart from McDermott

Northmeathman (Meath) - Posts: 284 - 22/02/2010 10:42:32    569152

Big John was the best midfielder in the county and most observers would agree with that-my opinion and most other peoples opinion!

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 22/02/2010 11:10:35    569206

Thank you old pal. I know it's hard for you to agree with me but once in a while it's nice. When are you coming in to visit. It gets kind of lonely in here these long nights.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 22/02/2010 18:16:36    569922

Ard Ri, I know u will find this hard to believe but I dont disagree with u for the sake of it.. it's just very rare u are right!! so i felt obliged to support me auld mate.
Will call in soon, could do with an auld b*t*h about EOB and his crazy selections..

Northmeathman (Meath) - Posts: 284 - 23/02/2010 15:28:32    570833

Northmeathman

You leave Eamon alone, he's my old school mate. If you say anything wrong about him I'm likely to do you with my zimmer. Don't forget the grapes and a bottle of lucozade.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 24/02/2010 17:11:48    572129

Dara O'Se was a far better footballer in my opinion.John Mc was a great fielder but hadnt got near the kind of skills Dara had.Anyone that says otherwise is kidding themselves.

lyoto.machida (Meath) - Posts: 343 - 24/02/2010 19:20:48    572349

lyoto.machida

I never saw anyone get the better of John Mc. However a number (not many I admit but a number none the less) of players got the better of Darragh including John. Also if a reasonable challenge was being put up to John he never had to resort to any, lets say gamesmanship, to get the better of that opponent, while Darragh had a number of strings to this particular bow. John was the better and I'm not kidding you, me or anyone else. You just didn't see enough of him.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 25/02/2010 11:04:05    572711