In no particular order:

Michael Meehan
Colm Cooper
Bernard Brogan
Alan Brogan
Paul Galvin
Declan O'Sullivan
Kieran Donaghy
Sean Cavanagh
Niall McNamee
Daniel Goulding
Michael Murphy
Ronan Clarke
Steven McDonnell
Matty Forde
Colm O'Neill
Marty Clarke
Paddy Cunningham
Paddy Bradley
Seanie Johnstone
Stephen O'Neill

lukeFitz (Offaly) - Posts: 100 - 19/04/2010 19:17:14    622503

I see some poster has CJ Mc Gourty in the list why ? because not worthy in there to be fair.

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 19/04/2010 20:05:39    622572

Nicky Joyce?
Michael Murphy?
Ciaran McDonald?
Any of the O'Shea's From Kerry??
Stephen Bray?
Sean Armstrong?
Johnny Doyle?
Kevin Hughes?
Christy McGowan?

Leaving alot to be desired my lads...

Patch_eyes88 (Leitrim) - Posts: 217 - 19/04/2010 20:46:28    622669

Joe is class on his day but no one ever knows when his day will be and S. Bray has had a horrible year so far but he's completely awesome when he's on form.

Royal_Girl2k9 (Meath) - Posts: 2107 - 19/04/2010 21:12:29    622732

I noticed a few oldie has beens like O'Neill and Dooher.

How about Pat Spillane lads?

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 19/04/2010 21:58:32    622862

Cj is as good as anyone else and will prove it

weered92 (Derry) - Posts: 296 - 20/04/2010 09:48:58    622936

Meehan
Gooch
O'Neill
Donaghy
Dec O Sullivan
Michael Murphy
Paddy Bradley
Bernard Brogan
Colm O neill
Stephen McDonnell
Coulter
Stephen Bray
Dessie Dolan
Ciaran Lyng
Niall McNamee
Galvin
Ronan Clarke
Alan Dillon
Marty Clarke
John Doyle

elmatador (Westmeath) - Posts: 89 - 20/04/2010 10:00:44    622951

Finally 'elmatador', the only one to mention Niall McNamee!!!
I know I'll appear biased, but seriously, the guys who start the thread should do a little more research. The 20 best forwards in the country dont hail from just the likes of Tyrone, Kerry, Cork & Dublin.
Possibly the best forward of the late 90's was Declan Browne, no disrespect to Peter Canavan or anyone else. A Tipperary man, when they were hovering around the lower reaches of the league and getting 1-2 championship games every year. Because we are an amateur sport and our allegiances are decided by borders and not business, the standard of individual player cannot be judged by them playing for a strong county as opposed to a weaker one. Therefore a list of the top 20 forwards can neither be right or wrong, but just one's opinion. Would the Gooch or Alan Brogan or Conor Mortimer shine in a Division 3 or Division 4 standard team. Possibly not!
On his day (his best day) I believe Matty Forde is possibly the best scoretaker in the game. My opinion, thats all. Offaly wouldn't get a lot of air-time nationally but I'm sure that any of the fans of teams such as Sligo, Louth, Antrim or Cavan for instance that had watched their sides games against Offaly in this years league you would say that he's got to be right up there, considering the standard that the lads numbered from 1-14 are producing. I've never seen Waterford play before, but by all accounts they've had a fantastic league campaign this year and players of the calibre of O'Lionain and Hurney have spearheaded their promotion push this season. These are obviously 2 extremely talented players. And while nationally they wont get the credit or publicity due to the divisions they are playing in, it is places such as these threads that should give them the credit they deserve. The top 20 forwards are scattered the length and breadth of the country and not just confined to an elite bunch of teams. I cant produce my own personal top 20 list off the top of my head, hopefully a good long think about it can help produce me come up with my own list. Each to their own, but for Gods sake, broaden your horizons a little bit people!!!

OffalyBigBall (Offaly) - Posts: 635 - 20/04/2010 10:58:25    623040

Yep, i agree with you Offalybigball, there are fantastic players who perhaps do not get the credit their talents deserve because of who they play for. I must admit i am guilty in my list of only remembering players from the more glamorous counties, shall we say. Mattie Forde was class. Sad for him that injuries curtailed a great career. Another player that perhaps goes under the radar is Eamonn O'Hara. Cracking goal he scored in the Connacht Final in 07. Am sure other players will come to mind later on.

Tongo (UK) - Posts: 1795 - 20/04/2010 12:07:29    623145

OffalyBigBall
County: Offaly
Posts: 3

You should have seen me for about two weeks when I was 16. Could hit the blackspot blindfolded. Even managed to wrestle the free-taking duties off the manager's sons. I crumbled under the pressure though and lost my mojo.

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12427 - 20/04/2010 12:25:40    623174

Best forward line in business would be
10, Declan o'sullivan
11,Marty Clarke
12, Skinner Bradley
13, Paddy Bradley
14, Benny Coulter
15,Colm Cooper

tullyframerover (Down) - Posts: 276 - 20/04/2010 12:42:13    623197

weered92
County: Derry
Posts: 131

622936 Cj is as good as anyone else and will prove it


You stated he will prove it so your agreeing that he has not proved it yet so does not desrve to be on that list .

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 20/04/2010 13:22:06    623268

tullyframerover
County: Down

Whay are ye so obsessed with players from ulster? Try have an open mind-eoin bradley wouldn't be good enough for an "all star" team-very good player but way better out there.

elmatador (Westmeath) - Posts: 89 - 20/04/2010 13:30:11    623286

Dellboypolecat
County: Tyrone
Posts: 10872

623268 weered92
County: Derry
Posts: 131

622936 Cj is as good as anyone else and will prove it


You stated he will prove it so your agreeing that he has not proved it yet so does not desrve to be on that list .


He has not proved it on county level yet but he has for St Galls. Im saying that he is as good as anyone else but he has to do it for Antrim. Good spelling by the way

weered92 (Derry) - Posts: 296 - 20/04/2010 14:27:42    623401

weered92
County: Derry
Posts: 132

623401


I know off a great club player here in the county am in but that does not mean he can get on the best 20 in ireland does it ? Just to inform you it is best county players not club.

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 20/04/2010 14:52:05    623441

PCLETTERKENNY
County: Donegal
Posts: 2

620950 Who are the best 20 forwards in Ireland at the moment?

Where does it say county players only?

weered92 (Derry) - Posts: 296 - 20/04/2010 14:59:46    623463

Michael Murphy
Martin Clarke
Paul Galvin
Michael Meehan
Aidan O Shea
Declan O Sullivan
Gooch Cooper
Bernard Brogan
Steven McDonnell
Sean Cavanagh
Brian Dooher
Pearse O Neill
Paul Kerrigan
John Doyle
Eoin Bradley
Daniel Goulding
Paddy Bradley
David Kelly
Alan Dillon
Donie Shine

republican (Sligo) - Posts: 348 - 20/04/2010 15:02:57    623473

weered92
County: Derry
Posts: 133

623463


You know and i know it is county players but if you want to be childish bout it i will stop responding .

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 20/04/2010 15:06:53    623482

Explain how I am being childish? I merely asked where it said county players only, you are being childish by refusing to rate Mc Gourty on the basis that he does not play county football. he does not play because of his attitude, he doesnt lack in ability

weered92 (Derry) - Posts: 296 - 20/04/2010 15:10:29    623486

mattie forde ,ciaran lyng

bogstandard (Wexford) - Posts: 799 - 20/04/2010 16:17:18    623590