Ulster team of the 00s

Great thread by Loyal on the Ulster team of the 90s but I would love to hear the views of the many good Ulster posters here on the best team of the Noughties. Naturally it would likely be dominated by Tyrone/Armagh but then there were some great players from less successful counties too - Freeman, Owens, Coulter. So what would be the best 15?

Jayo Cluxton wrote:Great thread by Loyal on the Ulster team of the 90s but I would love to hear the views of the many good Ulster posters here on the best team of the Noughties. Naturally it would likely be dominated by Tyrone/Armagh but then there were some great players from less successful counties too - Freeman, Owens, Coulter. So what would be the best 15?

I'll have to think about this one JC.

Pascal McConnell

Sean Marty Lockhart - Barry Owens - Ryan McMenamin

Conor Gormely - Keiren McGeeney - Philip Jordan

Paul McGrane - Sean Cavanagh

Brian Dooher - Brian McGuigan - Oisin McConville

Stephen McDonnell - Peter Canavan - Stephen O'Neill

The dominance of Armagh and Tyrone is highlighted by the fact that 13 out of 15 players come from the two counties.

And really the other two players (Lockhart and Owens) are included in spite of their teams plus the fact that neither Tyrone nor Armagh had any standout full-back or corner back helps. I don't think any can argue over McMenamin in the other corner or indeed the whole half-back line. The only position that's controversial in defence is the goalkeeper. But I went for McConnell ahead of James Reilly of Cavan - interesting to note that Ulster had no AllStar goalkeepers from 2000-2009. Unlucky defenders could include Kevin Cassidy, Francie Bellow, Ciaran Courley, Aidan O'Rourke, Enda McNulty and Davey Harte, but don't think any have cases to be in ahead of the six selected. The late Cormac McAnallen would not be far away either.

McGrane and Cavanagh are the two obvious choices at midfield. Again, you can't make a strong case for too many others. Dermot McCabe was a leader in the Cavan team for a long time and might be best of the rest.

Four Tyrone forwards and two Armagh. Dooher, McGuigan, McDonnell and O'Neill are all musts. I went for McConville at left half-forward. And Canavan, even though he was only there for half the decade did enough to justify inclusion. Ronan Clarke is the best forward not included and the omission of Paddy Bradley, Tomas Freeman, Paul Finlay, Benny Coulter and Enda Muldoon will disappoint supporters of their respective counties. Honourable mentions too to Gerald Pierson and Seanie Johnston of Cavan and Adrian Sweeney and Christy Toye of Donegal who were also considered.

Thought out very well in a short time frame L - fair play. I will think about it a while more (and cheat off others probably!) but yours is a good team indeed.

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:Pascal McConnell

Sean Marty Lockhart - Barry Owens - Ryan McMenamin

Conor Gormely - Keiren McGeeney - Philip Jordan

Paul McGrane - Sean Cavanagh

Brian Dooher - Brian McGuigan - Oisin McConville

Stephen McDonnell - Peter Canavan - Stephen O'Neill

Identical to mine, with the possible exception of Reilly over McConnell in goals. McConnell's big performances in big games might give him the nod, although Reilly has been very good behind a poor defence. Wouldn't argue against either.

Ronan Clarke would have been very hard to leave out had injury not robbed him of his best years, while the only defender I would consider other than those listed would be Andrew McCann, but couldn't really put him in ahead of Jordan at left half back. Barry Owens is very deserving in my opinion - for me he was easily the best full back of the last decade, with only Justin McMahon coming anywhere close in Ulster. Francie Bellew should not enter this debate, and nor should Paddy Bradley in attack.

Overall, this was an easier selection for me than the 90s team, probabaly because of the dominance of several huge names from Tyrone/Armagh that are impossible to leave out.

I think over time Karl Lacey will prove himself to be one of the great man-markers. He may well be on his way to a third all star this year having won two in the Noughties. Though hard to argue with the full back line selected.

1. Paul Hearty
2. Enda McNulty
3. Bellew
4. McMenamin
5. Gormley.
6. McGeeney
7. Jordan
8. McGrane
9. Cavanagh
10. McGuigan
11. O'Neill
12. McConville
13. Canavan
14. Clarke
15. McDonnell

Make no aplogies for it. By far the two best teams of the 00's in Ulster, they are also the two teams i saw most off both at the games and on tv. Was never overly impressed by Owens when seeing him in action, i can only assume it was other games that got him his reputation. Coulter, Mcgrath, Lacey, Lockhart, Dooher, Finlay, freeman and the McMahons would all have a case for selection but probably not before the team i selected.

OMAR wrote:I think over time Karl Lacey will prove himself to be one of the great man-markers. He may well be on his way to a third all star this year having won two in the Noughties. Though hard to argue with the full back line selected.

I forgot about Lacey. Excellent defender for Donegal over the years, and in fact probably their most consistent player in the decade. Wouldn't be a whole lot between him and Ricey who surprisingly only has one AllStar. Guess it comes down to All-Ireland medals, and that for reason, Ricey should get the nod.

Eight Armagh players in Samin12's team. But four are certs, and Hearty, McNulty and Bellow all have claims. The other is Ronan Clarke. Looks to me as if there are seven really outstanding forwards vying for six positions. So one has to be left out. I chose Clarke, Samin12 went for Dooher and I guess he can't be blamed for that.

The problem i had was with the full forward line. If i was picking the best no 14 it would have to be Clarke, on the other hand if i was picking the best no10 it would have to be Dooher. The problem i had was i had to have ONeil in the team, no room in the full forward line but out of him, Clarke, McDonnell and Canavan it had to be ONeil going to the half forward line (think he got an allstar in 01 as a half forward) which meant someone had to make way, so it was Dooher for me. If i had to pick the 6 forwards in position that they normally played then it would be, 10. Dooher, 11 McGuigan, 12 McConville, 13 McDonnell, 14 Clarke, 15 Canavan. But as an out and out footballer ONeil simply has to be in there.

would have serious reservations about your goalkeeper Samin - wouldnt have him anywhere my team a nut job of the highest order and a liability. If your stuck for a place for Dooher i would put him in goals over that hallion Hearty. Reminds me of big McCallan who had a brief career with Tyrone in goals.

Mickey McVeigh- Excellent shot stopper monster kickout brave and not a loony liek hearty or mcconnell whowhen tyrone were winnig by 15+ pts v down in ulster final replay of 2003 should have been sent off for acting stoopid!
Francis Bellew - master of the dark arts wouldnt be his biggest fan but no nonsense defneder
Barry Owens - class act , i was gonna pick cormac but owens has been there done it for longer
Ryan McMenamin- again a master of the dark arts but can defend and attack in equal measure
Conor Gormely - the rock on which any defence should be based
Keiren McGeeney - ideal captain and inspirational leader
Philip Jordan- hes mickeys man o war has played every championship match in MH's reign can attack and has the energy to get back and do his job
Paul McGrane - wonderful fielder
Sean Cavanagh - could play anywhere from 8-15 big strong & athletic
Brian Dooher - best no 10 in ireland since 2003
Brian McGuigan - the prince of playmakers would have been probably better than his da only for injury in the 2005 final he never lost possesion
Oisin McConville- top scorer in ulster all time say no more
Stephen McDonnell - has an eye for the goals
Peter Canavan - no need to say anything
Stephen O'Neill - from 2003- 2006 was unplayable injuries have curtailed him since but at his peak was unbelivable

Brendan McVeigh (Down)

Karl Lacey (Donegal)
Barry Owens (Fermanagh)
Francie Bellew (Armagh)

Conor Gormley (Tyrone)
Kieran McGeeney (Armagh)
Phillip Jordan (Tyrone)

Sean Kavanagh (Tyrone)
Paul McGrane (Armagh)

Eoin Mulligan (Tyrone)
Peter Canavan (Tyrone)
Oisin McConville (Armagh)

Stephen McDonnell (Armagh)
Stephen O'Neill (Tyrone)
Benny Coulter (Down)

redhandman wrote:Ryan McMenamin- again a master of the dark arts but can defend and attack in equal measure

Lads, there's no need to pretend on this forum or to hide behind words like "dark arts". It's not a fooking Harry Potter movie here - we are all able to face the truth. Ryan McMeanamin is a dirty player who will go to any measure fair or foul to do his part for this team.

James Reilly

Sean Marty Lockhart - Barry Owens - Karl Lacey

Conor Gormely - Keiran McGeeney - Philip Jordan

Paul McGrane - Dermot Mcabe

Brian Dooher - Brian McGuigan - Oisin McConville

Stephen McDonnell - Peter Canavan - Stephen O'Neill

Very tough to pick I picked big Dermot because I feel if was playing with any of the top teams he would be known of one of the best midfielders Ulster has ever produced. Honourable mentions go to Larry Reilly, John McEntee and many more that came to mind. Keeper was very hard to pick and I went with James because the saves iv seen him make live makes him my number 1.

RMDrive wrote:

redhandman wrote:Ryan McMenamin- again a master of the dark arts but can defend and attack in equal measure

Lads, there's no need to pretend on this forum or to hide behind words like "dark arts". It's not a fooking Harry Potter movie here - we are all able to face the truth. Ryan McMeanamin is a dirty player who will go to any measure fair or foul to do his part for this team.

we dont want to be blamed for players quitting after reading derogotary (sic) comments on internet formums RMD!

i notice that bellew wasnt quoted either was his tactics less dirty?! lol

Nice to see Mickey McVeigh getting some credit!

I'm trying to squeeze Benny Coulter into that forward line somewhere but it's hard to replace proven title winners, would even be tempted to put him in the half forward line. People talk about Benny the goal machine but I must say from following Down Benny has always been more effective further out the field than isolated in the full forward line. Just look at his performance against Donegal last year...catching kick outs then drilling the ball over from 45....tasty! It was only last year that the other forwards stepped up to the mark and Benny became very very effective in the full forward line!

And as a totally non-biased suggestion....would anyone consider Dan Gordon for at least honourable mention? Had all the attributes of a top midfielder and I used to love how he would pluck the ball out of the sky and hit the ground running...often scoring straight from catching. Great to watch. Bit of a hot head though, always liable for a red! But undoubtedly the most consistent performer in an otherwise heartless (apart from Benny and MickeyMcV) Down team over the past decade.

Goals must be Reilly, or McGreevy, or maybe Hearty. I never liked Pascal, always thought he was a liability, even when saving them in 2005 in the final, four times!!!!

As for the rest, make it up out of McEntees, McGouty's, my hero Marsden, and of course Canavan.

This will take some time.

You all know that I always said Tyrone were a team rather than individuals, with a few exceptions obviously as in Canavan, O'Neill and such.

What I mean is tghe l9ike of Ricey. At right back I can pick ten better right backs but I cannot pick any better players than Ricey. He did a great job but what position did he play. The McMahon's, Dooher, Gormley and quite a few others come into the same category.

So do not expect too many Tyrone men in the finished product.

To start. Benny Coulter and 14 others.

At the risk of sounding biased I'm gona have to side with Patrique here and say that Benny should certainly be in anyone's team of the 00's. And I'm not so much basing that on his performances the past year or two when Down were finally starting to get their act together....I'm basing it on the fact that even when Down were absolute rubbish and Coulter couldn't get a half decent pass in 70 mins of football he still managed to light up otherwise dreary games. When Coulter is on the ball you can just feel the buzz around the park....there's this aura about him that just excites people. That is something that only happens for very special players.

So while it is hard to overlook players who have won a string of Ulster and All-Ireland titles.....Coulter was majestic in a very average team. Dare I say it.....I think he's one of the greats! He's certainly a legend in Down..and more and more people are starting to put him up there with the best the county has produced....so he mustn't be that far off!

So, goals comes down to McGreevy who was playing Irish league football as well, or Reilly. To show no bias we will go for McGreevy, probably because he got plenty of practice.

Right back is Sean Marty, Full Back is Owens and left back is Lacey.

Right half is the start of the controversy. I could go with the "aggressive" Ricey who could carry the ball out for me, but as I am going for the "pure" football style, with some steel, I go with Sean Kelly. Kelly is a far better "footballer" than Ricey, probably a better footballer than Tomas O'Se, but not the most physical. However I do not require physical in this position, so Kelly it is. Pushed closely by Aaron Kernan.

Centre half is Geezer, and left half is Jordan, who I always rated.

Mid field is fairly easy with McGrane and Cavanagh.

Number 10?? I have always loved Dooher, but again I do not need his attributes for my team. Over the decade the best "footballer" bar Canavan was someone who could field high ball, solo without ever losing the ball, distribute it effortlessly, and score from anywhere from play or frees with that languid style. He could also play anywhere.

Yes, got to be Enda Muldoon. Centre half forward, even more laid back and languid, effortless, high fielding, passing, strength and a magnificent scorer of majestic points, John McEntee.

Now it gets difficult. Canavan at full forward, Benny at top of the left, so we are left with two positions and certainly three, maybe four, candidates. OK we will discount Paddy Bradley, but that leaves Stephen O'Neill, Oisin McConville and Stevie Mcdonnell

In 2005 O'Neill was brilliant, a top class player at the peak of his power. I also saw him playing for "The Ranch" and such, but O'Neill had it before being plagued by injury. So he must be in.

Stevie or Oisin? After much thought Oisin.

Benny gets in because Benny's fielding ability was magnificent and his goal scoring supreme, in a poor enough county side.

I have omitted loads who I might consider if I gave it more thought but I must mention McGrath of Fermanagh and Gallagher, Freeman and Finlay, Marsden, and of course a number of Tyrone players for reasons mentioned above.

And Kevin McGourty, didn't play enough for the county.

So

McGreevy (antrim)

Lockhart (Derry) Owens (Fermanagh) Lacey (Donegal)

Kelly (Antrim) McGeeney (Armagh) Jordan (Tyrone)

Cavanagh (Tyrone) McGrane (Armagh)

Muldoon (Derry) McEntee (Armagh) McConville (Armagh)

O'Neill (Tyrone) Canavan (Tyrone) Coulter (Down)

OMAR wrote:I think over time Karl Lacey will prove himself to be one of the great man-markers. He may well be on his way to a third all star this year having won two in the Noughties. Though hard to argue with the full back line selected.

Would ye find room for now ?

OMAR wrote:

OMAR wrote:I think over time Karl Lacey will prove himself to be one of the great man-markers. He may well be on his way to a third all star this year having won two in the Noughties. Though hard to argue with the full back line selected.

Would ye find room for now ?

Yes. I've said for the last couple of years that he is the outstanding defender in Ireland. A fabulous footballer, and would make my Ulster side of the last decade or so.