Who are our very best forwards playing gaelic football today?
For me, in no particular order I would say Kieran Donaghy, Declan O'Sullivan, Paddy Bradley, Bernard Brogan, Michael Meehan. Benny Coulter, Stevie McDonald, Niall McNamee, Michael Murphy, Johnny Doyle, Alan Brogan and Ronan Clarke.


The days of Gooch Padraig Joyce and Stevie O'Neill are in the past in my opinion.

Mikeynora (Limerick) - Posts: 888 - 10/06/2010 15:02:46    673245

Don't forget Stephen Bray and Cian Ward

Jimin10 (Meath) - Posts: 783 - 10/06/2010 15:23:36    673273

I'd agree with the point about Gooch. Spillane was still giving it loads on Sunday about how he's still the best in the country. I don't see it myself. He's very dependant on the ball he gets off Donaghy. For me, O'Sullivan is Kerry's best all round forward while Galvin would be their most influential player. Donaghy isn't just important to Gooch but to the whole team. He can drag out the full back, break ball down, his lay off and his eye for a pass are exceptional. Gooch will still score a lot but I don't think he lights up the stage like he did 3 or 4 years ago when he was at his peak. I think its testament to the Kerry team that they're not reliant on him as they once were.

NavyNBlue (Dublin) - Posts: 1357 - 10/06/2010 15:29:57    673282

Stephen Bray 3 years ago yes, today, no way.
Cian Ward....ya....right ......if there was a "rolling eyes" emoticon on here I would insert it right HERE !

Mikeynora (Limerick) - Posts: 888 - 10/06/2010 15:47:50    673304

Mikeynora

Michael murphy certainly aint in the same class as some of the A-listers you ve named there. I disagree about gooch as well. He's the best in the country by quite a bit actually. How anyone cant see that is beyond me. He never seems to take the wrong option, knows when to pass and when to shoot unlike most of the forwards on your list there

redandgreen (None) - Posts: 691 - 10/06/2010 15:48:14    673305

If Declan Browne hadn't retired or Mattie Forde hadn't got injured, they'd be considered elite like gooch, padraig joyce, stephen o'neill, larry reilly and stephen mcdonnell

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12427 - 10/06/2010 15:59:32    673322

Larry Reilly!!
I like it breff

NavyNBlue (Dublin) - Posts: 1357 - 10/06/2010 16:04:34    673334

Mattie Forde surely deserves a mention.

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 10/06/2010 16:06:52    673338

dont forget dennis glennon aswell. mightnt like westmeath but that man is a class act. they dont rate him in westmeath though, surprise surprise

Rhodejim (Offaly) - Posts: 2888 - 10/06/2010 16:13:55    673351

If Niall McNamee is an elite forward then Sean Johnston is too

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12427 - 10/06/2010 16:14:00    673352

The Gooch is a pure Genius. A class act who by far is the best inside forward about.
Dave Kelly from sligo is another you can add to your list along with Tommy Freeman. Not to sure about Paddy Bradley, yes he can give great performances but often takes to much out of the ball and not consistant enough in my opinion.

galwaybhoy (Galway) - Posts: 83 - 10/06/2010 16:14:51    673353

I see what you did there Breffni!!! Sure throw in Seanie too ;)

Mikeynora (Limerick) - Posts: 888 - 10/06/2010 16:18:26    673360

Bit of a sweeping statement IMHO. By what barometer do you deduce that Stephen O'Neill's days are behind him? There are few other forwards that inspire more stress in intercounty defenders.

caughtredhanded (Tyrone) - Posts: 602 - 10/06/2010 16:18:30    673362

The Gooch WAS class
he WAS the forward in Ireland
3 years later he aint. Atall. He is a shadow of his former self.

Mikeynora (Limerick) - Posts: 888 - 10/06/2010 16:25:53    673373

To be honest the larry reilly post was my homage to whiterbannnas' Mortimer posts.

I've stolen his thunder really, as as soon as he sees the thread title he'll be set to do the same!!

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12427 - 10/06/2010 16:34:42    673390

Who are our very best forwards playing gaelic football today?
For me, in no particular order I would say Kieran Donaghy, Declan O'Sullivan, Paddy Bradley, Bernard Brogan, Michael Meehan. Benny Coulter, Stevie McDonald, Niall McNamee, Michael Murphy, Johnny Doyle, Alan Brogan and Ronan Clarke.


I know it is only your view but I wouldnt have Bradley, Coulter, McNamee, Doyle and possibly Murphy anywhere near the best forwards in Ireland. The others are not too far away.
I would replace those boys with Stephen O'Neill, Tommy Freeman, Paul Galvin, CJ McGourty? Alan Costelloe ( on current form ) and David Kelly ( also on current form.
Again only my oponion though.

Brock_Lesnar (Tyrone) - Posts: 95 - 10/06/2010 16:40:49    673398

Mikeynora

ur not willing to count forwards who performed well a cuple of years ago, & that's fair enough. But if you are sticking to current form, then how can paddy Bradley & roman Clarke be in there at the moment? Has Clarke even kicked a ball yet this year?

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6347 - 10/06/2010 16:48:43    673406

Michael murphy certainly aint in the same class as some of the A-listers you ve named there

I agree with this in that he is only 20 and to be classed a good player you have to do it over many years. however the way i look at it is the rest of the players you've mentioned have alot better supply than the likes of michael murphy. This is also the case for the meath,wexford and other lads from lower teams.

Therefore its very hard to judge. How would murphy do in the tyrone team where opposition couldnt 3 man him (as he'd have other forwards around him)

I think Michael will become a legend as he already is in donegal. At such a young age he is already the heartbeat of the team.

dstuction (Donegal) - Posts: 1209 - 10/06/2010 16:52:13    673414

Elite:

Gooch, O'Sullivan, Stevie Mc, O'Neill (although injuries have really curtailed him unfortunetly)

"Just" Extremely Good:

Coulter, Bradley, Meehan, Murphy, Donaghy, Forde, Doyle.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13830 - 10/06/2010 17:01:34    673423

conor mortimer deserves a mention

whiterbannnas (Mayo) - Posts: 2441 - 10/06/2010 17:02:01    673424