Over the years I'v seen some great free takers. These would include:
Mickie Sheehy, Maurice FitzGerald Kerry Sean O'Neill, Paddy Doherty Down, Tony Brennan, Brian Stafford, Trevor Giles Meath Jimmy Keavney, Barney Rock, Ciaran Duff Dublin Larry Tomkins Cork Matt Connor Offaly Murice Sheridan Mayo and a whole host of others. However if asked who was the best I ever saw it would be a toss up between Tony McTeague of Offaly and Charlie Gallagher of Cavan. These two lads just never missed from about 55 yards out, which I think equates to about 50 mtrs today, and the angle didnt matter . Gallagher in particular was top scorer in the country for most of the sixties and indeed was the principle reason for the four Cavan Ulster titles during that period with what was a very limited team. Offaly folk can thank McTeague for a major contribution to two All Irelands in the early seventies.
Currently Cian Ward is probably the most consistant free taker in the country.
The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 18/09/2009 16:30:33
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My particular all time great freetakers (in no particular order) are:
Tony McTeague (Offaly) Jimmy Keavney (Dublin) Matt Connor (Dublin) Larry Tomkins (Cork) Mick O'Dwyer (Kerry) Mikey Sheehy (Kerry) Maurice Fitzgerald (Kerry) Micky Kearns (Sligo)
Cian ward an vaughan! although he had adv kickin into 'hill wit a lot of his!!!sheehan as wel--class!!! seems to be a more practised art now wit free takers often stayin hours after r be fore practising!! pressure is 4 tyres lads! inside 20-25 yards -from da hand is easier! anything els on da floor !! Louth havent a half decent kicker--havent cn one name from louth!!
Yes of course Joyce should be in there and for the life of me I couldn't remember who took the frees for Galway in 1966. I have a good memory but I can't remember everything. In any event I did include them in the phrase " a whole host of others". And yes 1966 and 2001 still hurts, especially '66, but then I'm sure that you hurt even more over 1983. Incidently 1991 hurts the most. Isn't your post a little petty, after-all there are a number of others whom I havn't mentioned by name. Charlie Redmond for one also Cian Ward and Colin Cooper who play currently. If I was to mention every player who deserves a mention then I would be here untill Christmas. Still think that McTeague and Gallagher were the best.
The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 19/09/2009 09:22:15
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Today it's a case of the best of the worst. It is one of the untold dying arts of the game. Mark Vaughan was good about 2 years ago but it wasn't really followed up on.
In my GAA lifetime the best of all time are (and probably in this order):
1. Brian Stafford 2. Larry Tompkins/Matt Connor
Real Louth fan (Louth) - Posts: 3157 - 19/09/2009 10:41:39
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For the record I agree with you on Tony McTeague but to say you include the great P.J. 'under a host of others' is a bit of a joke.The man scored 10 points in the 2nd half of the 01 All Ireland or have you forgotten! I once saw Cyrill Dunne drill a 50 over the bar in the last minute from the sideline to equalise a Connaght final.And that was off the ground not from his hands.Your man Cian has a long way to go yet before he can compare with these men.
Barnowl94 Be inclined to agree with you that Cian has a bit to go but I have no doubt that he will. In relation to the 50 from the sideline well that was some kick. However the same Cian in a Meath final scored a free kick from about 5 or 6 meters outside the 45 and about 10 mtrs from the S/L against the wind. He also scored from about 60 mtrs to level a game against Kildare in the league this year. I'm not comparing Cian to any of the former greats but if you want to throw statistics and occurrences about I have a whole bag full of them. None of this alters my earlier posts. Joyce was brilliant in the second half of 01 and I don't for one minute take it from him or any of the other greats who have performed with distinction. You are probably the same vintage as myself if you remember Cyrle Dunne so in that case you should also remember the great Charlie Gallagher who made a habit or scoring impossible frees both long and short. He would put 50s over with his eyes shut. Ok slight exaggeration but you know what I mean.
The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 19/09/2009 17:30:38
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