I suppose the inevitable has happened now that Brian and Philip have announced their retirement.
Not that anyone should begrudge them it and feel in a poor year for Tyrone these two held their own.

Incredible that McGuigan made it back at all after the injuries he endured.
Both with Brian Dooher will be impossible to replace ..but we need to.

Thanks to both for the great times and irreplaceable talent and desire.

Tyronetim (Tyrone) - Posts: 1254 - 02/11/2011 09:39:12    1061772

Tyrone need new blood & youth to come through to get back to the heights they were at and to be realistic, if not cold about it, Jordan, McGuigan & Dooher belong to a past generation of Tyrone footballers now so these retirements are inevitable

That said, they were fantastic players that brought a whole new era into Tyrone football, all the very best to them in their retirements

gigoer (Wexford) - Posts: 1998 - 02/11/2011 10:01:14    1061785

Two wonderful footballers, both of whom, and this is rare, leave the scene with the medals and awards that their talents and commitment deserved. McGuigan has 7 all-ireland winning medals (3 Senior AI, 2 U21 AI, Minor AI, Hogan Cup), which must put him at the top of the tree for all footballers in the last 25 years or so.

Brian was a hugely gifted footballer, and his skill/vision was matched by his workrate, and he was brilliant on the broken ball. I'm virtually 100% certain that, from 2003-2006, Tyrone never lost a game in which he played at least 55 minutes. He was Tyrone's best player, when the side itself were at their best. The 2005 all-ireland final was his highpoint, gaining possession 34 times and never once wasting it, even weighing in with 3 points. He must've touched the ball 10 times in the last 5 minutes alone that day, as every Tyrone player gave him the ball, knowing that he would not lose it. Brian was never the same player after his broken leg and eye injuries but, at his best, he was an outstanding footballer.

Philip Jordan played almost every minute of every championship game under Mickey Harte. His performances this year were still of a high standard, and he is definitely one of the old guard that I would liked to have seen stay on. Jordan was exceptionally consistent, to the extent that I can hardly recall him playing a bad game. Before the 2005 AIF, I remember Joe Brolly posing the rhetorical question 'Has anyone ever seen Philly Jordan make a mistake?'. 4 all-stars for a wing back is very rare, and Jordan would be an automatic choice at left half back on any team of the last decade. In my opinion, he was the best wing back of the last 20 years as, for me, his consistency in big games just edges out Tomas O'Se.

Two great footballers, and Tyrone can't expect to see their like again anytime soon. Such stars don't come along that often, but we in Tyrone have been extremely lucky to enjoy them for the last 10-15 years.

Thomas Clarke (Tyrone) - Posts: 1002 - 02/11/2011 10:16:37    1061793

Well said ThomasClarke..expect nothing else from a Clarkesman
Good point about the workrate - when you have ability and work ethic that these two had you can go places...the Catalans proved that

Haven't seen wee Brian fitter for some time than this year..and tuned in on the scoreboard too this year which is something he struggled with since coming back.

You can't replace them..you just hope to find something different - the whole dynamic will change but up to the the young lads to stake their place and fulfil their potential

Tyronetim (Tyrone) - Posts: 1254 - 02/11/2011 10:40:04    1061808

2 big loses to Tyrone,Philip Jordan featured in every championship game under Harte.McGuigan in his prime definitely best centre forward in last 20 years,had some game in 2005 against Kerry kicking 3 points. McGuigan/Canavan was some partnership

Gael85 (Dublin) - Posts: 1433 - 02/11/2011 10:40:19    1061809

Absolute legends, don't think its a time for tyrone to start worrying about replacing these fellas but a time to reflect on an absolutely amazing 10 years for the county when we have went to the top of the ladder and established our self as a big county because of fellas like philly and brian. Think we in tyrone do forget the great days we have had and memories made in the last 10 years.

As with dooher mc guigan and philly have written themselves deservedly into the history books and left us all in tyrone with great memories of great days in dublin. Good luck in the future lads

redhanddefender (Tyrone) - Posts: 913 - 02/11/2011 10:41:53    1061811

Two great players who were a credit to there county. This is the end now for tyrone for a very long time.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 02/11/2011 10:50:34    1061815

McGuigan just had a level of understanding about a football game that noone else sould match. An absolute joke he didnt get CHF allstar that year. The gaa should be ashamed. Jordan just brilliantly consistent and consistently brilliant. A pleasure to have watched them play

voiceofsilence (Donegal) - Posts: 15 - 02/11/2011 10:53:47    1061820

Redhand defender - agree...but can't bask too long the sharks are circling.

Clondalkin..time will tell. Gilroy did the fastest rebuild job in history in 2010 so it has been done.

Tyronetim (Tyrone) - Posts: 1254 - 02/11/2011 10:58:13    1061824

Two great players and servants to their county. Tyrone heading into a transitional period now, jus like ourselves in monaghan and neighbours armagh. Can be hard to except the end of an era but we just have to hope that our youngsters step up to the mark.

Brolly (Monaghan) - Posts: 4472 - 02/11/2011 10:59:01    1061825

Thomas Clarke
County: Tyrone
Posts: 304

1061793
Two wonderful footballers, both of whom, and this is rare, leave the scene with the medals and awards that their talents and commitment deserved. McGuigan has 7 all-ireland winning medals (3 Senior AI, 2 U21 AI, Minor AI, Hogan Cup), which must put him at the top of the tree for all footballers in the last 25 years or so.

Brian was a hugely gifted footballer, and his skill/vision was matched by his workrate, and he was brilliant on the broken ball. I'm virtually 100% certain that, from 2003-2006, Tyrone never lost a game in which he played at least 55 minutes. He was Tyrone's best player, when the side itself were at their best. The 2005 all-ireland final was his highpoint, gaining possession 34 times and never once wasting it, even weighing in with 3 points. He must've touched the ball 10 times in the last 5 minutes alone that day, as every Tyrone player gave him the ball, knowing that he would not lose it. Brian was never the same player after his broken leg and eye injuries but, at his best, he was an outstanding footballer.

Philip Jordan played almost every minute of every championship game under Mickey Harte. His performances this year were still of a high standard, and he is definitely one of the old guard that I would liked to have seen stay on. Jordan was exceptionally consistent, to the extent that I can hardly recall him playing a bad game. Before the 2005 AIF, I remember Joe Brolly posing the rhetorical question 'Has anyone ever seen Philly Jordan make a mistake?'. 4 all-stars for a wing back is very rare, and Jordan would be an automatic choice at left half back on any team of the last decade. In my opinion, he was the best wing back of the last 20 years as, for me, his consistency in big games just edges out Tomas O'Se.

Two great footballers, and Tyrone can't expect to see their like again anytime soon. Such stars don't come along that often, but we in Tyrone have been extremely lucky to enjoy them for the last 10-15 years.

Mike Frank Russell has 5 seinor, 2 Under 21, 1 Minor, 1 Club and 1 Hogan Cup thats 10
Darragh Se has 6 Seinor and 2 Under 21 so thats 8
Tomas Se has 5 Seinor, 1 Under 21 and a Colleges 7

Thats 3 players alone who have the same or more then him. Not to take away from his success was a great player in his prime.

Why is winning 4 All Stars at wing back rare? Tomas O Se has won 5 at wing back and won player of the year 2 times

moomoo (Kerry) - Posts: 4023 - 02/11/2011 11:01:09    1061828

Apologies Moomoo, I forgot about MF Russell, and didn't realise that Dara had 2x U21. So McGuigan is 3rd on the list, alongside Tomas. Still pretty impressive.

As for 4 all-stars at wing back being rare, you've named one other player that has accomplished that. Even allowing for a couple more who might have, I'd still think that that counts as rare, unless you are using some other definition of the word.

Thomas Clarke (Tyrone) - Posts: 1002 - 02/11/2011 11:16:18    1061844

Thomas Clarke
County: Tyrone
Posts: 305

1061844
Apologies Moomoo, I forgot about MF Russell, and didn't realise that Dara had 2x U21. So McGuigan is 3rd on the list, alongside Tomas. Still pretty impressive.

As for 4 all-stars at wing back being rare, you've named one other player that has accomplished that. Even allowing for a couple more who might have, I'd still think that that counts as rare, unless you are using some other definition of the word.

There are others but i just named 3.

The next closes i can find is Tommy Doyle with 3 at wing back. Tommy Walsh has won 6 in a row at wing back in hurling. I still dont see why winning 4 All Stars at wing back is rare though. Hows is it any different to any where ealse?

moomoo (Kerry) - Posts: 4023 - 02/11/2011 11:28:09    1061863

I haven't checked, but I'll take you at your word that only Jordan & Tomas O'Se have at least 4 football all-stars at wing back in the last 40 years. That makes the accomplishments of both these men rare. If you don't think it is, i'd suggest that you look up the definition of rare in the dictionary.

Anyway, I've said enough on this and am not going to clog up the thread with a pointless argument, and will let others pay tribute to 2 fine players, if they wish.

Thomas Clarke (Tyrone) - Posts: 1002 - 02/11/2011 11:49:48    1061882

Two great players Tommy should have got an AllStar in 05 at #11 i wish them
the bst in their retirement

wfkerry (USA) - Posts: 933 - 02/11/2011 12:17:20    1061910

Two top class players. Best of luck to them in their retirement.

men_of_49 (Meath) - Posts: 2015 - 02/11/2011 12:40:53    1061932

Two great footballers! Mickey will find it very very tough to replace them.

WHATAGOALLLL (Tyrone) - Posts: 4 - 02/11/2011 12:52:21    1061941

its always sad to see the breakup of a great team and the old saying that time waits for no man comes to mind! that tyrone team gave gaelic football a life saving shot of adrenaline when it really needed it and those games v kerry were some of the best duels we've seen. mcguigan, jordan, dooher etc are household names and rightly so. i may not like them very much as players as its hard to when they rattle your onion bag year after year. however, they did their counties proud and owe nobody anything in all fairness. tyrone of course will not relapse now that their break-through stars finally begin to leave the senior scene and im sure that in a short space of time they will be back in a final.

begrudgery is a symtom of success and shows its face through jealousy! and im sure tyrone people were quite happy to receive all the attention they got and im sure they will want to welcome some more very soon. we've had endless threads about anti tyrone this and anti north that, but in reality its envy of achievement that fuels it. my own county receives it whether we win or lose but i expect it to be ramped up a notch if our current team can emulate the feats of tyrone or indeed our former dublin greats.

a healthy all ireland championship needs be diverse in terms of who wins it. we will never have an equal spread, indeed nowhere near it but the more winners the more appeal it generates. my county has won 23 all irelands but to me we have really only won one. i was too young in 95 to really know its worth and this year rammed it home what it feels like to be at the top of the tree. i suppose in dublin we have tradition. the people that seeded it are aging or not with us anymore but the expectation that arises from it is underneath the fabric nonetheless, and whether our teams win or not they are still aware of it. the fact that tyrone became the team they did with no winning tradition makes it all the more remarkable. a great team!

seany16 (Dublin) - Posts: 1663 - 02/11/2011 12:56:20    1061945

Best wishes to them both in the future as for Tyrone there is an abundance of talent still in the county and if given the chance will be a team to be Feared again..... Total Faith!.

fortyfive (Tyrone) - Posts: 5929 - 02/11/2011 13:10:53    1061957

great post seany and all the best to the 2 boys in their retirement, great servants to the GAA.

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 02/11/2011 14:04:27    1062000