Team of 2000's

homerjay2005

and before people say "we should wait until this year is over", this is a 10 year event, not 2 months!

fire ahead, i think the 4/5 nominees will be clear for each position already. are we going to ahve lads nominated for more than one position or what?

cruiserweight

blackbelt wrote: »

I think we should go ahead with the polls for each position.This thread could really go on forever with people nit-picking each others selections and questioning why this player over the over and exclusions of others.I think this is a good thread that could settle this "best 15 of the decade" selection.

So what I am going to do is run a poll which should last for 5 days for each position.If we start this today,the team should be finished by 4th October.I'll run the poll for each position and edit the poll when each duration is finished.I will post up the winner of each position of which shall be final.

If you are going position by position will it be 5 days for left corner back, 5 for right corner back etc. or 5 days for corner backs?

grenache

Can't understand why Nicholas Murphy is in a few people's teams. Both John Galvin and Paul McGrane are superior midfielders when it comes to fielding and ball carrying ability.

blackbelt

Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)

Has won 6 Leinster Championships (2002,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009) and 3 All Stars to date (2002,2006 and 2007).He had memorable performances against Laois and Derry.In 2006 and 2007 he conceded 1 and 2 goals in the each championship repectively.

Pascal McConnell (Tyrone)

Has won 3 All Ireland medals and 3 Ulster championships.Most memorable match was against Kerry in last years All Ireland Final to deny Declan O Sullivan and Tommy Walsh of certain goals.

Gary Connaughton (Westmeath)

Has won 1 Leinster Championship with Westmeath in 2004,one all-star in 2008 and guided Westmeath to 2 All Ireland Quarter Finals (2004,2006).Most memorable performances were against Dublin and Laois in 2004 and Galway in 2006.

Fergal Byron (Laois)

Won the Leinster Championship in 2003 and won an all-star that same year.Most memorable performance was against Kildare in the Leinster Final.

Diarmuid Murphy (Kerry)

Has won 3 All Irelands with Kerry (2004,2006 and 2007) and has also won 2 all stars in 2004 and 2005.Most memorable performances were against Cork,Armagh (2006) Mayo and his recent penalty save against Sligo.

Paul Hearty (Armagh)

Has won 4 Ulster Championships and is most noted for his performances against Donegal (2004 and 2006) and Tyrone in 2005.

blackbelt

cruiserweight wrote: »

If you are going position by position will it be 5 days for left corner back, 5 for right corner back etc. or 5 days for corner backs?

Yes,each poll for each position lasts 5 days.If I brought it up to a week,we wouldn't be finished until November and that is when this forum goes very quiet each year.

cruiserweight

blackbelt wrote: »

Yes,each poll for each position lasts 5 days.If I brought it up to a week,we wouldn't be finished until November and that is when this forum goes very quiet each year.

Sorry I guess the question is will there be 15 polls or will positions be combined e.g. will there be 2 corner back polls or 1 corner back poll

Hacks

homerjay2005 wrote: »

i think its safe enough to say that the following are the general consensus -

5 - Thomas O Shea
6 - Kieran McGeenry
7 - Philip Jordan
8 - Darragh O Shea
9 - Sean Kavanagh
10 - Brian Dooher
13 - Colm Cooper (as to how anybody can leave him off is shocking, he and Cavanagh are the 2 "greats" of this generation)
15 - Stevie Mcdonald.

the others are stilll open.

Cluxton also seems to be a very popular choice in goal, personally i dont think Cooper HAS to be in, his form is very patchy over the last few years and if he didn't play for Kerry he'd just be another Dolan/Browne/Forde......and i think if any of these 3 played for Kerry they'd be the first name on this team.
I think Paddy Bradley is the most underrated player in the last 10 years, he has been overlooked for all-stars and internalional rules teams too many times.

blackbelt

cruiserweight wrote: »

Sorry I guess the question is will there be 15 polls or will positions be combined e.g. will there be 2 corner back polls or 1 corner back poll

There will be 14 polls.Each of them will be for one place ie left corner back,full back etc except for the midfielders.That poll will take the 2 most voted midfielders.That should have the team selected by the end of September.

I will edit the poll once each duration ends for the next position.I will be examining each position and what posters have already said to date.

Also,I'd like posters to PM me if they feel a player has a very strong case to be on the 15.Players that would not have been considered or maybe overlooked in somebodies view like John Doyle,Anthony Masterson,Mattie Forde,Seanie Johnston,Christy Toye,Declan Browne etc.We (mods) could do the nominations and discuss if a player should be in the mix for the poll.I'll keep a record of each posters argument for a certain player and bring it up via PM between the mods and the poster.

corny

Pride Fighter wrote: »

1. Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)
2. David Henry (Dublin)
3. Paddy Christie (Dublin)
4. Stephen O'Shaughnassey (Dublin)
5. Barry Cahill (Dublin)
6. Bryan Cullen (Dublin)
7. Collie Moran (Dublin)
8. Ciaran Whelan (Dublin)
9. Shane Ryan (Dublin)
10. Bernard Brogan (Dublin)
11. Jason Sherlock (Dublin)
12. Tomas Quinn (Dublin)
13. Alan Brogan (Dublin)
14. Dessie Farrell (Dublin)
15. Conal Keaney (Dublin)

;);):D:D:D

Now my real team


1. Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)
2. Ryan McMenamin (Tyrone)
3. Graham Canty (Cork)
4. Mark O'Se (Kerry)
5. Davy Hart (Tyrone)
6. Kieran McGeeny (Armagh)
7. Philip Jordan (Tyrone)
8. Darragh O'Se (Kerry)
9. Sean Cavanagh (Tyrone)
10. Brian Dooher (Tyrone)
11. Padraig Joyce (Galway)
12. Jason Sherlock (Dublin)
13. Alan Brogan (Dublin)
14. Dessie Dolan (Westmeath)
15. Colm Cooper (Kerry)

Bit different to some others but that is the best team IMO.

Jason Sherlock as a half forward ahead of the likes of Galvin or McGuigan? Never.

WinstonSmith

grenache wrote: »

Can't understand why Nicholas Murphy is in a few people's teams. Both John Galvin and Paul McGrane are superior midfielders when it comes to fielding and ball carrying ability.

I think the reasoning behind this for a lot of people, and certainly for myself at the beginning was that Murphy got the better of O'Se whenever they met these last few years, and since O'Se is the nearest to being on the team that should mean that Murphy is on the team. What made me change my mind is that this was after O'Se had reached his peak. I can see how people made this choice, but I wouldn't say that Galvin or McGrane are better than Murphy, O'Se or Cavanagh. McGrane is probably closest but he wasn't as influential as any of these three.

Hacks

corny wrote: »

Jason Sherlock as a half forward ahead of the likes of Galvin or McGuigan? Never.

I agree, heard a few years back that Jayo had never scored a point from more than 25 yards out the field ???

DARK-KNIGHT

Hacks wrote: »

I agree, heard a few years back that Jayo had never scored a point from more than 25 yards out the field ???

sherlock is defo not brilliant because he is too light and gets knocked around by most defenses! quick, agile - yes but no great shakes TBH

DC_Roscommon

1. Stephen Cluxton

2. Ryan McMenamin --- 3. Graham Canty --- 4. Antony Lynch

5. Marc O Sé --- 6. Kieran McGeeney --- 7. Philip Jordan

8.Sean Cavanagh --- 9.Darragh O Sé

10. Brian Dooher --- 11. Ciaran McDonald --- 12. Paul Galvin

13. Michael Meehan --- 14. Kieran Donaghy --- 15. Colm Cooper

EOB32

1. Paul Hearty
2. Ryan McMenamin
3. Francie Bellew
4. Anthony Lynch
5. Tomás O Sé
6. Kieran McGenney
7. Philip Jordan
8. Sean Cavanagh
9. Dara O Sé
10. Brian Dooher
11. Alan Brogan
12. Paul Galvin
13. Stephen O Neill
14. Kieran Donahy
15. Matty Forde

hawker

Gary Connaughton

Marc O Se
Graham Canty
Francie Bellew

Tomás O Se
Kieran McGeeney
Anthony Lynch

Dara O Se
Dermot Earley

Brian McGuigan
Ciaran McDonald
Alan Brogan

Colm Cooper
Sean Cavanagh
John Doyle

TheSpecialOne

john galvin deserves a mention!earley is also a fine player!move away from yere kerry dublin tyrone picks there are other counties just cause they havent won the all irelands doesnt mean they havent got good players

WinstonSmith

TheSpecialOne wrote: »

john galvin deserves a mention!earley is also a fine player!move away from yere kerry dublin tyrone picks there are other counties just cause they havent won the all irelands doesnt mean they havent got good players

Nobody disputes this, but we're talking about the players of the decade. By very definition they have to be something bloody special!

Mardy Bum

Took a look at the poll. No sign of James Reilly from Cavan. Hes kept the in the championship with his saves for a good few seasons. Also was an All Star nominee.

blackbelt

I don't think Reilly would be rated at all for the goalkeeper position of the decade.He got nominated but didn't get an all-star and he leaked 3 goals against a poor Antrim side one year.Other good goalkeepers could be given a consideration such as Anthony Masterson (Wexford) and Brendan Reilly (Meath) but they too wouldn't have done enough to be nominated as goalkeeper of the decade.

The nominees for goalkeeper are those with proven track records such as provincial championships,All Ireland Championships and All-stars.I think the no.1 position is the most important position along with the no.3 position so only those with serious credentials could be included in the poll.

UnitedIrishman

The team I'd go for:

---

S. Cluxton

---

--M. O'Sé

---

D. Fay

---

M. McCarthy--
--D. Heaney

---

S. Moynihan

---

K. McGeeney--

---

D. O'Sé

---

S. Cavanagh

---

--P. Joyce

---

C. McDonald

---

B. Dooher---
--C. Cooper

---

P. Canavan

---

S. McDonnell--

Subs:
S. O'Neill
T. O'Sé
D. Murphy
R. Clarke
D. Browne
M. Donnellan
M. Meehan
J. Nallen
B. Owens

Manager: M. Harte.

Daroxtar

There's a distinct lack of Eamonn O Hara on the list even though he's the only man to win a provincial title while playing on his own against 15 others. The man is now in his early 50's but last week still nearly beat the entire kerry team containing several players from a lot of the lists and lest not forget when he singlehandedly destroyed the mighty Tyrone and drew with before very nearly beating the whole of Armagh. Chuck Norris shat himself when he heard Eamonn o Hara was lookin for him. Get him on the lists.

*there may be some slight exaggeration here but thats what makes Legends

derealbadger

UnitedIrishman wrote: »

The team I'd go for:

---

S. Cluxton

---

--M. O'Sé

---

D. Fay

---

M. McCarthy--
--D. Heaney

---

S. Moynihan

---

K. McGeeney--

---

D. O'Sé

---

S. Cavanagh

---

--P. Joyce

---

C. McDonald

---

B. Dooher---
--C. Cooper

---

P. Canavan

---

S. McDonnell--

Subs:
S. O'Neill
T. O'Sé
D. Murphy
R. Clarke
D. Browne
M. Donnellan
M. Meehan
J. Nallen
B. Owens

Manager: M. Harte.

probably the best iv seen so far but i would agree that Eamon Ohara should be in there somewhere

blackbelt

Bump.Voting closes for the goalkeeper position tomorrow at 13.05.

grenache

Daroxtar wrote: »

There's a distinct lack of Eamonn O Hara on the list even though he's the only man to win a provincial title while playing on his own against 15 others. The man is now in his early 50's but last week still nearly beat the entire kerry team containing several players from a lot of the lists and lest not forget when he singlehandedly destroyed the mighty Tyrone and drew with before very nearly beating the whole of Armagh. Chuck Norris shat himself when he heard Eamonn o Hara was lookin for him. Get him on the lists.

*there may be some slight exaggeration here but thats what makes Legends

Great post! I had him on my subs bench. The fact he's not from a high profile county goes against him, but he's certainly one of the top 5 midfielders in the country.

LeoB

Attempt 23

Cluxton

Ryan McMenamen
Graham Canty
Michael McCarthy

Tomas O'Se
Seamus Moynihan
Noel O'Leary

Dara O'Se
Sean Kavenagh

Brian Dooher
Eamon O'Hara
Alan Brogan

Matty Forde
Ronan Clarke
Peter Canavan

Hard to leave out P. Joyce but O'Hara brings so much to his team

Its always easy to pick Gooch, Donaghy and the likes but I would have Declan Browne ahead of them any day. Cilin Corkery came close but had his better years in the 90s. Leighton Glynn dewspite being played in the forwards by Micko is an excellent half back. Jason Sherlock is the most under rated player in Ireland. Had he been playing with a team with a little more intelligence in their play Dublin would not have been waiting since 95 to win an All-Ireland.

Subs
Declan O'Keefee
Barry Owens
Leightin Glynn
Shane Ryan
Darren Fay
David Brady
Nicholas Murphy
Dessie Dolan
Colin Cooper
Jason Sherlock
Michael Meehan

No place for the Reillys of Cavan or Gallaghers of Fermanagh

thatsnotmyname

WinstonSmith wrote: »

There have been a lot of really interesting arguments and points made here and I must admit that I have been persuaded by some of them so I'm going to re-post my team and give explanations for my decisions. There will be some changes from the original.

1. Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)
There not just because his shot-stopping ability is good (I most certainly do not buy into the talk of him looking decent enough for a soccer kepper crap), but also his kick-outs are often tactical, instead of just lobbing them out the middle as so many goalkeepers at club and county level blindly do. Whilst his manager undoubtedly has some control over this, he has the brains to adjust his kick-outs mid-match if things aren't working or contexts change. Beats the nearest contenders of Alan Quirke and Declan O'Keefe precisely for his intelligence on the pitch.

2. Sean Marty Lockhart (Derry)
Is obviously a good player but what makes him stand out for me is his ability to mark thee top players of the country out of the game. I'm thinking particularly of his tussles with Peter Canavan in the early years of the decade when the latter got very little change out of him. Not many people can claim to have done that. One of the few people to have no All-Ireland medals, although has been rightly credited with a few All-Stars.

3. Cormac McAnallen (Tyrone)
Not the sympathy vote! Was very good for Tyrone in the first few years of the decade, the captainship of the side rewarding this. Had all the main physical attributes and footballing skills and when he was needed out of position he excelled there even further. At full-back instead of midfield because he undoubtedly had a career at full-back ahead of him, where many more all-stars would have been received. If he hadn't have died when he did, Tyrone would not have slipped off the centre stage for a while post-2003, not least because their problems at full-back would be non-existant. The nearest contender is Seamus Moynihan who owned the early seasons of 00/01 for his displays, but loses out because he was skinned by Clarke in '02. The next nearest is Darren Fay but I consider his prime to be the '90's and he would certainly be my pick for full-back on that team.

4. Anthony Lynch (Cork)
Included for the same reasons as Lockhart: Never skinned; able to hold the top forwards in the country scoreless, and on this latter point I'm thinking particularly of his recent tussles with the Gooch. Again no AI medals for his troubles but this coould be the year and he has several All-Stars and Compromise Rules appearances. Nearest Contenders of Joe Higgins, Mike McCarthy, Marc O'Se and Ryan MacMenamin lose out because whilst they have had good games against some of the best forwards, they just haven't reached the heights of these two, who are able to consistently hold their own against the best.

5. Tomas O'Se (Kerry)
A shoe-in for this spot. Beats the nearest contender of Seamus Moynihan simply because the latter's best position was full-back. Was phenomenal in the mid-decade years where his pace, and strength caused all sorts of problems for teams when he was running at them. Also strong when on the back foot and integral in the breaking ball category.

6. Kieran McGenney (Armagh)
The best No. 6 I've ever seen. Performance like his I've never seen before. I live in Armagh (not an Armagh fan before I'm accussed of bias) and the stories I would hear of his dedication would sen shivers fown my spine. His constant determination to lead by example, strength, passing ability have been unmatched in my generation. A giant of the game in every possible sense. I'm thinking particularly of one game where he covers fifty meter to make a block on his own end-line that could have ended in the net. Never shirked his reponsibilities. Whilst the nearest candidates of Conor Gormley, Sean Og De Paor, David Heaney, Kevin Reilly are all good, they are in the second division in comparison to 'Geezer'!

7. Philip Jordan (Tyrone)
Beats some very close competition, mainly for his staying power. Has the ability to excel, such as his last few games in the Tyrone shirt, but it is very, very seldom that this man is skinned alive by anyone. Again, he is key to the breaking ball game for Tyrone. Strong, fast, fit and fearless, he often chips in with a point or two. His intelligence on the field of play stes him in good company with the rest of this defence, which consists of members who have played in two of the meanest defences Ireland has seen this decade: Armagh and Tyrone, with Kerry in third. The nearest contenders were Declan Meehan and Davy Harte because they both lack strength whenever it comes to being able to make a hard, crucial tackle.

8. Sean Cavanagh (Tyrone)
Tyrone’s dominance over teams in the middle third of the park is rightly demonstared on this team as their players consist of half the positions in this middle third. Cavanagh didn’t explode onto the scene but his power and athleticism has led him to become one of the best midfielders I’ve ever seen. A stronger runner than Darragh O’Se, more influential than Nicholas Murphy. Has consistently been in contention for man of the match, seldom having a bad game. Last time he failed to score in the championship was approximately 4 years ago. A forward would be excused if he broke this, but a midfielder is unthinkable.
9. Darragh O’Se (Kerry)
Beats Nicholas Murphy by a whisker. Played his best football at the start of this decade, when he almost won Munster Championships on his own. Remember him constantly plucking balls from under the crossbar, winning kick-outs and leading by example. His running power is often under-rated, as proven this year, but his importance to the team is valuable and Kerry will be at a loss without him. Murphy only misses out because, whilst he did get the better of him, it was never when O’Se was in his prime.

10. Brian Dooher (Tyrone)
Tyrone’s dominance of the middle third continues. Every county needs a scrappy ball winner. Kerry have Paul Galvin (who just missed out), Armagh have Martin O’Rourke ( who would be pushing for a place on the panel of thirty but perhaps not the team), but Tyrone have Brian Dooher. Wins breaks ball, breaks up attacks, takes the big hits, gets up, takes the ball around a few of Kerry’s best players then scores a point off the outside of his boot from an impossible angle. His class defies his age and his competitors for this position.

11. Ciaran McDonald (Mayo)
On the team on merit. Often outspoken, had the ability to make a pinpoint fifty metre pass that would crack a nut, never mind the best defence in the country! Played his best football around ’04 and proved a constant threat to teams. Was awarded with All-Stars and Compromise rules slots and destroyed whoever the opposition put on him. The second best playmaker of the decade, and it took something special to beat him. Also had a good shot and was surprisingly strong. Beats the nearest opposition of Michael Donnellan because he had a more rounded game and Trevor Giles who played his best football in the previous decade.

12. Brian McGuigan (Tyrone)
The best playmaker this decade has seen. A pity he has been so racked by injuries these last few years, but credit to the determination he shows to be back playing football when he was told he wouldn’t. His performances in 2003 will live in infamy particularly against Kerry and Armagh. They would not have won AI that year without him. Simple as.

13. Stephen McDonnell (Armagh)
His record speaks for itself. The best forward in the country in the middle of the decade. Often destroyed teams single-handedly. Almost won Armagh the two in a row. Has begun to fade but some of his earlier performances will live in the minds of many, picking a score from an impossible angle, effortlessly floating in behind Clarke’s touch-down to him. The two were inseperable. Beats Peter Canavan because his best football was played in the ‘90’s and Gooch because he has the strengths and tackling ability that Gooch doesn’t have.

14. Kieran Donaghy (Kerry)
His deployment at full-forward in ’04? Revolutionised the way people will look back at the football played in this decade. Armagh had Clarke, Cork had Corkery, but nothing scared the sh*t outta defenders (even Francie Bellew) more than big Star. Kerry can be seen to be struggling without him, which is testimony to his ability. His basketball skills transferred across to Gaelic and he had the feet and the Gaelic brains to match. O’Connor is said to have jumped with delight when Donaghy said he wanted the ball delivered in to him so that he could run onto it, and when defenders saw it, they must have ran with fright! Donaghy was in a class of his own.

15. Ronan Clarke (Armagh)
No doubt a contentious choice. Beats Forde, Bradley, Browne, Meehan, Joyce (who I’d love to have picked as I’m a big fan), Stephen O’Neill, Alan Brogan, Johnny Doyle, Mugsy, Dessie Dolan. He did bust onto the scene in ’02 and was the vital missing link for Armagh. He is quite possible one of the cleverest football players I’ve ever seen (surprising for somebody so dumb off the pitch) and his ability to catch or knock down under pressure was and still is unparalleled. Roasted Moynihan in his debut season which is damn nigh impossible enough, but has developed into one of the best target men in the game.

Great post !
that team would be hard to stop :cool:

blackbelt

Stephen Cluxton has nailed down the goalkeeper position and is the goalkeeper of the 2000s.



Results Breakdown

Total No. votes = 33

Stephen Cluxton 12
Diarmuid Murphy 7
Gary Connaughton 7
Paul Hearty 3
Pascal McConnell 3
Fergal Byron 1

Pride Fighter

blackbelt wrote: »

Stephen Cluxton has nailed down the goalkeeper position and is the goalkeeper of the 2000s.



Results Breakdown

Total No. votes = 33

Stephen Cluxton 12
Diarmuid Murphy 7
Gary Connaughton 7
Paul Hearty 3
Pascal McConnell 3
Fergal Byron 1

When does voting for the corner backs open Blackbelt?

blackbelt

Poll now amended for the corner back position.Poll closed this Saturday.

K-9

Says I have already voted. Maybe you can't do polls that way or is it me?

blackbelt

I'll have to look into this.It might be recognising the last poll as I changed the names and reset the vote count.

homerjay2005

apparantly ive already voted for James nallen.

may need a new thread. also, is this going to be - the top 2 players gets the 2 corner back positions or what?

prendy

why is james nallen on this list? Surely he should be on the list for half backs?

he played most of this decade at either 5,6 or 7.

MRJ

yerayeah wrote: »

There's a serious lack of Seamus Moynihan here, despite playing out his twilight years in this decade I'd have thought he would at least have got a mention at this stage.


yeah and put meaths john Mc dermott in there with him aswell

Triton

How did David Henry get in there? Surely the options should be discussed before they are put up.

WinstonSmith

any word on the poll being fixed?

grenache

MRJ wrote: »

yerayeah wrote: »

yeah and put meaths john Mc dermott in there with him aswell

Played most of his good football in the 90s.

homerjay2005

have we given up on this?

LeoB

corny wrote: »

Jason Sherlock as a half forward ahead of the likes of Galvin or McGuigan? Never.

Yeah, Sherlock is one of the most intelligent players around. If he had a few better players around him he would have more than 1 All-Ireland.

Cluxton is also way ahead of the other keepers. He is a tremendous shot stopper. His kickouts are the most accurate you will get and his distribution is better than any other keeper mentioned.

Also feel strongly Seamus Moynihan is being overlooked quite a bit. He was consistantly outstanding for Kerry. McGeeney was a fine player but also very negative in a lot of games.

Pride Fighter

homerjay2005 wrote: »

have we given up on this?

Looks like it.