Canavan was as good as most I have seen, but the goal in 2005? What about it? Big high ball in, Mugsy breaks it and Canavan taps in?

Let's keep things in perspective. Tomas O'se scored a better goal in the same game.

As I say, canavan was an all time great, but concentrate on the things he could do that the like of me couldn't. The 2005 goal is not one of them.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 02/11/2009 13:12:21    472897

Trevor Giles????? You having a laugh? Giles isn't fit to lace Canavans boots

intothewest (Galway) - Posts: 26 - 02/11/2009 13:16:35    472904

James Nallen,Peadar Gardiner better than Kieran MacDonald???? Ah come on MacDonald is miles ahead of them, he was an absolutely brilliant player and definitely deserved to be nominated, he would have walked onto any county team during his peak, was good in the Aussie rules too, Galway would love to have had him that is for sure

Trucker1 (Galway) - Posts: 426 - 02/11/2009 13:29:14    472925

Jacko was at his best prior to 84' there is no doubt. But he was one of the main reasons Kerry won in 84', 85' and 86'. Still if you are talking about the past 25 years,I think Jack retired from intercounty in 91' or 92', I would say Maurice Fitzgerald, Peter Canavan, Dara O'Se, Eamon O'Hara to top my list. There are many others who shone but these fellows have the longevity, I may have missed a few it is early of a Monday yet.

lostintime (USA) - Posts: 533 - 02/11/2009 14:10:09    472960

Ulsterman
County: Antrim
Posts: 1291

Maurice Fitzgerald has to get this award if there is any justice and credibility in the GAA. He played at the top level for so long and won many a game on it's own with a skill level that no one comes near. He brightened up many dull McGrath Cup and National League matches on his own with his sublime talent while you could watch his goal in the 2000 All Ireland semi-final time and time again.
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I fixed your post.

3inarow08 (Kerry) - Posts: 2455 - 02/11/2009 14:17:14    472972

patrique
County: Antrim
Posts: 5159

472897 Canavan was as good as most I have seen, but the goal in 2005? What about it? Big high ball in, Mugsy breaks it and Canavan taps in?

Let's keep things in perspective. Tomas O'se scored a better goal in the same game.

As I say, canavan was an all time great, but concentrate on the things he could do that the like of me couldn't. The 2005 goal is not one of them.

That goal was pure class. Stick to the camogie Patrique.

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12332 - 02/11/2009 14:22:16    472981

Much as I admired Jacko I would put Canavan as my player of last 25 years; Jacko had the good fortune to play alongside many great players within a great team. Canavan did not have such a luxury; Tyrone had many good players who could take on Ulster but when it came to Croke, it was Canavan who took up the fight to the "big boys". Two great feet, a superb footballing brain, skill, guile, courage, passion and leadership, the complete footballer.

KevHill (Antrim) - Posts: 271 - 02/11/2009 14:27:34    472990

In my opinion for what its worth Maurice Fitzgerald and Peter Canavan are too close to separate. They are followed closely by Jack O'Shea with Ja Fallon not too far behind. Do'nt forget Michael Donnellan who was also brilliant and only for injuries would have been around a lot longer. If Eamonn O'Hara of Sligo was on a better team he would also be seen as great. Seamus Moynihan was also a fantastic player. Goalkeepers like John O'Leary and Stephen Cluxton should also be considered.

TheSkipper (USA) - Posts: 71 - 02/11/2009 15:19:19    473058

All this ráiméis about Canavan! Maurice Fitzgerald is continually recognised as the second best footballer ever to have played the game, second only to Mick O' Connell. As Mick O' Connell wasn't playing in the last 25 years then the obvious winner is Maurice.

3inarow08 (Kerry) - Posts: 2455 - 02/11/2009 15:25:45    473071

Canavan was the best! in the 90s he carried an average Tyrone team. In this decade he was even better. His goal in the 05 final was first class- not a tap in! Look at where he had to place the ball. Anywhere else than the bottom corner of the net and Murphy would have saved it. Kerry players have the luxury of winning cups with other great players- Canavan stood out of the pack. A Great of the modern game. .. . . The greatest of them all!

paddywack09 (Tyrone) - Posts: 150 - 02/11/2009 16:11:12    473111

I also watched Mick O Connell. In the two All Irelands against Galway in 64 and 65 he was not anywhere near as good as Mick Reynolds or Mick Garrett. In 68 he was poor against Down He was also very poor against Offaly and was carried by Din Joe Crowley. But we are not talking about all time greats we are talking about the last 25 years. If we were talking about all time greats we could not get past Sean Purcell. " The Master. " Played every position for Galway, even in goal. Nobody but nobody could out play him. None of the great players of the last 25 years could come close. Sadly a lot of our posters did have the pleasure of watching him but I have and I have seen all since and believe me 'Seeing is Believing'. Hopefully some day a real great like Sean Purcell will come along and every countyman can sit back and watch in awe.

TheSkipper (USA) - Posts: 71 - 02/11/2009 16:13:22    473113

In fairness to Maurice Fitz, he carried Kerry as well for years during their "drought" and similar to Canavan helped a talented and youthful side to all ireland glory. Almost impossible to separate the two of them.

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12332 - 02/11/2009 16:42:44    473156

intothewest
County: Galway
Posts: 12

472904 Trevor Giles????? You having a laugh? Giles isn't fit to lace Canavans boots

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Are you having a laugh? Trevor Giles was brilliant and extremly under-rated it would seem. He was the play maker of the 1999 All-Ireland winning Meath team. How does this leave him so far behind Canavan?

Royal_Girl2k9 (Meath) - Posts: 2107 - 02/11/2009 16:45:01    473162

Giles isnt fit to lace canavans boots?while canavan was class,that is just a ridiculous statement.giles had absolutly everything,there was nothing he couldnt do.he could kick points off both feet,kick accurate 50 or 60 metre passes off either foot,he took the frees and 45s,he covered every area of the pitch when he was playing,and was probably the best ive ever seen at cleanly disposessing someone.he played a completely different game than canavan,but there wasnt anything canavan could do that giles couldnt.thats not putting down canavan,he was brilliant.

lyoto.machida (Meath) - Posts: 343 - 02/11/2009 16:50:58    473173

Giles isnt fit to lace canavans boots?while canavan was class,that is just a ridiculous statement.giles had absolutly everything,there was nothing he couldnt do.he could kick points off both feet,kick accurate 50 or 60 metre passes off either foot,he took the frees and 45s,he covered every area of the pitch when he was playing,and was probably the best ive ever seen at cleanly disposessing someone.he played a completely different game than canavan,but there wasnt anything canavan could do that giles couldnt.thats not putting down canavan,he was brilliant. lyoto.machida , 02/11/2009 at 16:50 I'd say Canavan was a more consistent free-taker. From what I remember Giles could have some bad days with the frees. I agree though, Giles was a class player. Canavan could also wear his jersey properly :)

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12332 - 02/11/2009 17:18:43    473198

How good was Trevor Giles in 2001? He and the rest were pathetic in the final. Could not get going. Missed penalty some terrible passes and most of all he gave up. His reputation was garnered from free taking. I suppose after such a win against Kerry in the semi he and the rest thought it was a formality. Can you remember who was marking him in the final? There lies his standard. Look around the Meath teams of the last 25 years and you will see players much greater. You will also see greater players in the counties that surround you. Blinkers off now.

TheSkipper (USA) - Posts: 71 - 02/11/2009 17:19:33    473199

i can see where your coming from 3inarow08 but i still think its very difficult to seperate Maurice Fitz/Peter Canavan? both were class acts though i'd still put them a bit in front of Trevor Giles. i never saw Mick O'Connell play but going by records he too was something else, for me Jack O'Shea and Dara O'Se are the two stand out midfield players when you talk about those whose careers are over in the past 25 years, but its a dead heat between the aforementioned forwards, its just too close for me to call. personally i loved Mikey Sheehy the skill that man had and precision in front of goal was breathtaking at times, legends them all i suppose.

Rahilly_Man (Tyrone) - Posts: 361 - 02/11/2009 17:27:10    473212

TheSkipper - silly to judge a player by one game. Every player has bad days.

Giles was a fantastic player, for me better than canavan

bad.monkey (USA) - Posts: 4649 - 02/11/2009 17:45:34    473228

bad.monkey
County: USA
Posts: 1676

473228 TheSkipper - silly to judge a player by one game. Every player has bad days.

Giles was a fantastic player, for me better than canavan

Canavan didn't have many bad days

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12332 - 02/11/2009 17:47:51    473232

To Rahilly_man. You are the closest to correct. I also had forgotten about Mikey Sheehy. How right you are. Fantastic player.

TheSkipper (USA) - Posts: 71 - 02/11/2009 18:28:18    473262