Legends of the big ball........

This word legend is cropping up all too frequently in the modern idiom.. I have criticised whomsoever journalist referred to Graham Geraghty as a legend in another thread and attempted to justify my reasons.....
There are very few deserving of the accolade in the past 40 years, no more that 5 IMO....

Being a little more senior, age wise than most here, I have no hesitation in nominating Purcell (the greatest of all time), my own man, Packy McGarty (way ahead of Spillane as a wing forward) and Gerry O'Malley of Roscommon at c/h/b as being real legends, but in the past generation........I'll start....

Matt Connor...

I agree with your point Boxty, and have had numerous debates on here regarding who would be a 'great' player, and who would be a 'very good player'. Given your criteria of no more than 5 or so in the last 40 years, you are obviously talking about a level above what I would term 'great'.

You are basically talking about the small handful of players who would be up for debate among the greatest of all-time. Using that criteria, I would be going for Purcell, Jack O'Shea, Sean O'Neill, Peter Canavan, and Pat Spillane as the absolute greatest we have ever seen. I think for someone like McGarty to be considered amongst the 5 players of all-time, he would have to have starred in all-ireland semi-finals and finals. No fault of his own, and I know of his railway cup accomplishments, but it would result in him being at that level below in my book.

Personally, I would have a slightly wider definition of the term legend, that would include Mick O'Connell, John Joe O'Reilly, Larry Stanley, Tommy Murphy, Colm Cooper and few others in there (probably the likes of McGarty as well). But if you want the best of the best, for me those are in the previous paragraph.

Good post as ever TC and it's hard to disagree with your sentiments.
However, adhering to the 40 year yardstick, we'll agree to exclude Purcell, O'Neill and McGarty. That is not to take away from any of them, as they are all worthy of inclusion in the pantheon of legends......

This opens it up a bit for those who might want to be subjected to torrents of derision....Will someone throw up a contender please??

a contender for the worst thread of the year

Maurice Fitz..

Colm O'Rourke

I can't honestly see how Peter Canavan is mentioned as a legend - he was an excellent player. But I think his reverence in Tyrone is not shared outside the county. As I said he was an super player but if he is mentioned I would certainly argue that Giles or Geraghty have as good a case to be considered legends.

Unsubstantiated nominations are not considered under advisement.......Please try harder.

Jayo Cluxton wrote:I can't honestly see how Peter Canavan is mentioned as a legend - he was an excellent player. But I think his reverence in Tyrone is not shared outside the county.

Well, a couple of years ago, when the independent named the greatest 125 players of all time, they had him at No.3. I'm guessing that some of the journalists weren't from Tyrone.

I note that we haven't had any defensive nominations from the last 40 years. Is it possible for a defender to be considered amongst the very greatest and, if so, are any worthy of a mention?

Martin O'Connell was the only TV age defender to make the Team of the Millennium, so perhaps the debate should start there although, excellent though he was, his wouldn't be a case that I would advance in this company. Tomas O'Se will get a few mentions, but 2 roastings by Ryan Mellon in all-ireland finals always put doubts in my head about Tomas. Moynihan was number 9 on the all time list of a couple of years ago, but that was way, way too high for me. Darren Fay, Tony Scullion and a few others would come under the excellent category for me, rather than legend.

Thomas Clarke wrote:

Jayo Cluxton wrote:I can't honestly see how Peter Canavan is mentioned as a legend - he was an excellent player. But I think his reverence in Tyrone is not shared outside the county.

Well, a couple of years ago, when the independent named the greatest 125 players of all time, they had him at No.3. I'm guessing that some of the journalists weren't from Tyrone.

TC I would value a lot of people here's opinions over 90% of journalists any time. Most of them know f*** all and are like sheep. If you asked me to name one Tyrone legend of the last number of years it would be Frank McGuigan. I would have him ahead of PC every time.

It's very hard to define what a legend is, as different people have all different types of requirements for it. For me it would be skill, natural ability, a good head for the game and passion. Hence why for me people like Graham Geraghty, Ciaran Whelan, Mick Lyons, Dara O'Se etc would be legends. Different strokes for different folks really.

Royal_Girl2k9 wrote:It's very hard to define what a legend is, as different people have all different types of requirements for it. For me it would be skill, natural ability, a good head for the game and passion. Hence why for me people like Mick Lyons would be legends

You're having a laugh .. right? If not add in Francie Bellew ....

Jayo Cluxton wrote:

Royal_Girl2k9 wrote:It's very hard to define what a legend is, as different people have all different types of requirements for it. For me it would be skill, natural ability, a good head for the game and passion. Hence why for me people like Mick Lyons would be legends

You're having a laugh .. right? If not add in Francie Bellew ....

I'd like to see you say that to Mick Lyons' face.... And yes he is on my list. As would be Darren Fay and Francie Bellew.

Doubt I'd have to tell Mick he had no skill. I'm sure he knows it well.

Jayo Cluxton wrote:Doubt I'd have to tell Mick he had no skill. I'm sure he knows it well.

He's still a legend though, and he did have skill they just may not have been completely football.

mullins wrote:

Royal_Girl2k9 wrote:

Jayo Cluxton wrote:Doubt I'd have to tell Mick he had no skill. I'm sure he knows it well.

He's still a legend though, and he did have skill they just may not have been completely football.

He was everything a fullback should be like him or hate him..

Yes! Thanks Mullins, I always knew I liked you

I'd agree with that mullins - and had great time for Mick. But he had no skill ... didn't need it ...

Jayo Cluxton wrote:I'd agree with that mullins - and had great time for Mick. But he had no skill ... didn't need it ...

Yeah he was a tank like.. I'd still count him as a legend though.

mullins wrote:

Jayo Cluxton wrote:I'd agree with that mullins - and had great time for Mick. But he had no skill ... didn't need it ...

Tell me a fullback that had- It has to be one of the hardest positions to fill

And fill it he did YAY MICK!

Darren Fay was a skillful footballer - Seamus Moynihan too at FB - and our own Paddy Christie could play a bit! But mostly its a brick wall that plays there!