Inspired my Trevor Giles post (hugely underrated and s class act ) I am wondering who IS the best - my own personal view

1 Maurice Fitz - one man demolition job on my own county in 1997.

2 Colm Cooper - no words needed

3 Mikey Sheehey

4 Peter Canavan

5 Personal bias Ciaran McDonald

---

Best GK - no question - Cluxton Dublin
MF 1 Jack O Shea 2 Mick O Connnell 3 Darragh O Se 4 Brian Mullins 5 Willie Joe Padden

Best DF - 1 Paudi O Se 2 Darren Fay 3 Tomas O Se

FK 1 Bryan Sheehan 2 Maurice Fitz 3 Michael Murphy 4 Jimmy Keaveney 5 Roscommon FK taker name escapes me

Elvis1935 (Mayo) - Posts: 46 - 13/04/2015 14:27:49    1713742

McDonald at number 5 all time?? LOL wiiiiiiiise up!! there's biased and then there's down right blindness I'm afraid.

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2558 - 13/04/2015 14:37:37    1713750

The greatest was surly Elvis....the king is alive!!!

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11563 - 13/04/2015 15:04:14    1713762

I actually would have McDonald higher. I have never seen a more naturally gifted player in my life. He was something else on his day.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 13/04/2015 15:23:39    1713776

gotmilk

awk catch a grip, off all time?? your last sentence pretty much sums up why he doesn't belong up there. The all time greats rarely had a bad game, some came from an era that one bad game meant the end of your championship. McDonald was a skilled player who failed to deliver when it mattered and couldn't live with the likes of O'Shea, Sheedy, Spillane or Canavan.

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2558 - 13/04/2015 15:42:45    1713784

Ali was the greatest

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 13/04/2015 15:50:07    1713788

1. The Gooch
2. Peter Canavan

After them two you could be arguing forever about the rest but them two for me are out in front as the two greatest I've ever seen.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 13/04/2015 15:54:20    1713790

Ah wise up. I saw Canavan have plenty of bad games. I've saw the gooch play in games and not realise he was on the pitch. Even when those around him were faltering McDonald turned it on. 2004 final against Kerry. He scored two wonder points in the first half and was the only Mayo player that showed any sort of skill that day. McDonald was a great footballer and one of the best i have ever had the privilege to see play. The semi final against Dublin was another game when he stood up to the plate.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 13/04/2015 15:54:29    1713791

Best GK - no question - Cluxton Dublin

MF 1 Jack O Shea 2 Mick O Connnell 3 Darragh O Se 4 Brian Mullins 5 Willie Joe Padden 6 K, Hughes (Tyrone)

Best DF - 1 Paudi O Se 2 Darren Fay 3 Tomas O Se 4 Martin O Connell 5 K, Mc Geeney

best Forward - 1 M, Fitz, 2 Peter Canavan 3 Oisin Mc Conville 4 Trevor Giles 5 Colm Cooper 6 Michael Murphy

FK 1 Bryan Sheehan 2 Oisin Mc Conville 3 Michael Murphy 4 Jimmy Keaveney 5 Trevor Giles

youngfella27 (Armagh) - Posts: 110 - 13/04/2015 16:03:45    1713797

Sean Cavanagh. He's not the best midfielder, the best defender, the best forward, the best free-taker or the best captain ever but pretty good at all of those. 3 All Irelands too. If there's a poll for the best all-round Gaelic Footballer he'd be my number 1 and he's not finished yet.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7975 - 13/04/2015 16:31:50    1713812

gotmilk

your point is based on one year 2004, what about the many years Gooch and Canavan delivered All Irelands, Allstars and player of the year? when you weigh those credentials up to a few runners up medals it speaks its own truth

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2558 - 13/04/2015 17:48:12    1713835

Too many great players to mention.Their are none who are the "greatest".

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 13/04/2015 17:52:49    1713840

Yes I think we should use the phrase 'one of the greats'!

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8748 - 13/04/2015 18:05:53    1713844

What defines Great when it comes to football? So many aspects to greatness, you could have raw skill, the likes of the Gooch, you could have hunger, desire, you could have the half forward who puts in numerous amounts of tackles and wins breaking ball, you could have the inspirational fielder in midfield who when the going gets tough, catches kick out after kick out, you could have the most intelligent man marker in the game playing corner back, he may only touch the ball less than five times but so may his man. So many aspects when it comes to greatness, such fine lines between being great and not

PoppinPoints (Meath) - Posts: 225 - 13/04/2015 18:25:10    1713852

Damothedub
Ali was the greatest
Allah is Great too

Miler (Mayo) - Posts: 1015 - 13/04/2015 19:13:42    1713868

lol

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8748 - 13/04/2015 19:52:40    1713883

matt connor no question or doubt amazed hes not been mentioned so far.

kavvie (Clare) - Posts: 505 - 13/04/2015 19:54:10    1713885

would strongly disagree with maurice fitz..obviously a great player and very skillful..one of the most stylish footballers ever....peter canavan or the gooch of the recent era for me...tomas o se quite the player also

fabio8 (USA) - Posts: 2182 - 13/04/2015 20:10:20    1713889

michael donnelan in full flow was something special also or sean cavanagh at peak form

fabio8 (USA) - Posts: 2182 - 13/04/2015 20:10:52    1713890

Anthony Toehill was maybe Derrys greatest and is usually included in expert lists but its all personal opinion

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 14/04/2015 15:52:42    1714118