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A Golden Era For Hurling Goalkeepers

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I think we now have a new era of hurling goalkeeping legends. We previous had the 2 Fitzy's, Cummins, Cusack, etc, who were all great shot stoppers. Cusack probably added more to the role of a goalkeeper in that he started to use his head with short puck outs, etc. But I honestly think Anthony Nash is better than any of the above, and Eoin Murphy is not far behind him. They are both incredible shot stoppers but also have added tactical awareness and pin-point precision in terms of passing. That save by Nash yesterday was nothing short of outstanding. It would be a huge statement, but I think Nash is the best I have seen. A mention also for the Offaly goalkeeper Eoghan Cahill who also looks a very fine keeper. Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 28/05/2018 11:03:38 2104630 Link
Nash and Murphy are two exceptional goalkeepers. Offaly generally always have a pretty good keeper, probably because he gets more practice than most. 890202 (Wexford) - Posts: 1278 - 28/05/2018 11:18:35 2104639 Link
the game has changed so much that an accurate keeper from the puck out is now vital perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 28/05/2018 14:13:01 2104768 Link
Not sure if 2 goalkeepers can be considered a golden age. I cant think of any other exceptionally good keeper at the moment bar the ones already mentioned here. clare_sparrow (Galway) - Posts: 425 - 28/05/2018 14:33:25 2104778 Link
I certainly didnt think we'd see the likes of Cummins, the two Fitzys and Cusask again but Eoin Murphy is ahead of any of these in my opinion. I wouldnt have Nash quite there yet. Galways Callanan is also top class as is O'Keffee and Fanning. It's certainly starting to look like a new golden age of really top goalies. tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 30/05/2018 08:12:43 2105472 Link
Replying To tiobraid: "I certainly didnt think we'd see the likes of Cummins, the two Fitzys and Cusask again but Eoin Murphy is ahead of any of these in my opinion. I wouldnt have Nash quite there yet. Galways Callanan is also top class as is O'Keffee and Fanning. It's certainly starting to look like a new golden age of really top goalies." eoin murphy is an incredibe shot stopper and free taker,i would put nash well ahead of o'keefe/fanning/callinan. perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 30/05/2018 08:45:45 2105481 Link
In the 90's/00's I'd have Fitzhenry and Fitzgerald ahead of Cusack, Cummins etc too. 890202 (Wexford) - Posts: 1278 - 30/05/2018 09:17:01 2105488 Link
Eoin Murphy @ this moment in time is the Best keeper there is ,Nash of Cork not far behind but not better than murphy ,Fanning of wexford ,Nolan of Dublin & the offaly keeper all top class shot stoppers ,Stephen Keith of Down is a Brilliant keeper But Galway dont have a top quality keeper ,Callinan & Skehill not upto much The Antrim keeper ia another brilliant shot stopper southerncat79 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 80 - 30/05/2018 09:32:56 2105491 Link
Despite winning the All-Ireland last year, it actually wasn't Callanan's best year. Before that he was up there with the best. Not too confident with Skehill so hopefully Callanan can get back from injury soon. Eoin Cahill from Offaly was outstanding. I was at that game in Tullamore and I think it was the finest goalkeeping display I'd ever seen in person, despite conceding 5 goals! Townee2018 (Galway) - Posts: 281 - 30/05/2018 10:07:55 2105500 Link
Eoin Murphy in my opinion is just operating at a level above anybody I've seen in my lifetime. His agility, athleticism and ball handling skills are top notch. Also he attacks the ball when it drops in and his decision making and peripheral vision is excellent. Also the ability to score long range frees is a massive bonus too. An absolute class act. Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1898 - 30/05/2018 11:29:53 2105540 Link
Didn't Callinan concede an absolute howler in the final last year? Or was that Skehill? Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 30/05/2018 11:47:00 2105544 Link
There are some very good keepers around at the minute but would suggest 90s 00s were a cut above. Particularly Cummins and the 2 fitzys. Fitzhenry won a leinster on his own in 04. Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 2628 - 30/05/2018 12:56:25 2105574 Link
Replying To Pinkie: "Didn't Callinan concede an absolute howler in the final last year? Or was that Skehill?" It was Callanan alright but I'd say it was his only mistake of the year. Nash let in a howler against Clare last week but he is still an excellent keeper. Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 30/05/2018 12:57:44 2105575 Link
To be honest, Callanan probably should have kept out both goals v Waterford in the final last year. It would have been a very different game if they hadn't gone in. Both goals gave Waterford a jolt of momentum when they were wilting. As strong as the Galway panel is, keeper is becoming a slight concern. Townee2018 (Galway) - Posts: 281 - 30/05/2018 13:24:25 2105585 Link
Replying To southerncat79: "Eoin Murphy @ this moment in time is the Best keeper there is ,Nash of Cork not far behind but not better than murphy ,Fanning of wexford ,Nolan of Dublin & the offaly keeper all top class shot stoppers ,Stephen Keith of Down is a Brilliant keeper But Galway dont have a top quality keeper ,Callinan & Skehill not upto much The Antrim keeper ia another brilliant shot stopper" Callanan is definitely a top class keeper but ironically he probably had one of his poorest years for Galway when they actually ended up winning the All-Ireland last year. Normally he's been rock solid though. He's getting on though so probably won't be around too much longer. Marooned (Galway) - Posts: 2208 - 30/05/2018 16:16:58 2105662 Link
Replying To Pinkie: "I think we now have a new era of hurling goalkeeping legends. We previous had the 2 Fitzy's, Cummins, Cusack, etc, who were all great shot stoppers. Cusack probably added more to the role of a goalkeeper in that he started to use his head with short puck outs, etc. But I honestly think Anthony Nash is better than any of the above, and Eoin Murphy is not far behind him. They are both incredible shot stoppers but also have added tactical awareness and pin-point precision in terms of passing. That save by Nash yesterday was nothing short of outstanding. It would be a huge statement, but I think Nash is the best I have seen. A mention also for the Offaly goalkeeper Eoghan Cahill who also looks a very fine keeper." If only Nash's family stayed in Limerick! Nicki Quaid looked to be living up to his goalie family name around 13/14 but did have a couple a poor seasons. He's one of the best 'sweeping keepers' around and is very good at coming on to loose ball and stepping his way out and finding a loose man. Also good under the high ball. But his puckouts aren't the greatest and he had a howler against TIpp in the league but they have improved this year. He'll be under pressure from Eoin McNamara, the u21s keeper, if he comes back into the panel next year. Serious talent. blackspot91 (Limerick) - Posts: 1055 - 31/05/2018 04:16:56 2105828 Link
Replying To Bon: "Eoin Murphy in my opinion is just operating at a level above anybody I've seen in my lifetime. His agility, athleticism and ball handling skills are top notch. Also he attacks the ball when it drops in and his decision making and peripheral vision is excellent. Also the ability to score long range frees is a massive bonus too. An absolute class act." Spot on! He just has a range of skills I don't see in other keepers probably due to being an excellent player for Glenmore. I have no doubt he'd be starting or at least a very potent sub for KK if not in goals. Lot's of great goalies, a couple who might not have been in form last year or in the league this year but are tops nonetheless. Verdict ...GOLDEN AGE! Gowran_Yank (Kilkenny) - Posts: 96 - 02/06/2018 14:49:47 2106470 Link
Can't believe it's escaping me right now considering the positive impact it had for my team but rather not guess, I know I'll get my answer here. Not knocking the keeper, one error doesn't make a game, let alone a season or career. Who was it who in the dying moments of a game pucked the sliotar straight to a KK lad who sent it back over the bar to cause either a KK win or tied it up in the last seconds of the match. My brains telling me it was Cork, but definitely not Nash. Just curious. Opinion + question about keeper stats. With the change to 1 v 1 penalties, should this be something noted when talking about shot stopping statistics? It's been a big enough change that I believe it's warranted. Just my 00.02 Gowran_Yank (Kilkenny) - Posts: 96 - 02/06/2018 15:27:23 2106482 Link
Replying To Townee2018: "Despite winning the All-Ireland last year, it actually wasn't Callanan's best year. Before that he was up there with the best. Not too confident with Skehill so hopefully Callanan can get back from injury soon. Eoin Cahill from Offaly was outstanding. I was at that game in Tullamore and I think it was the finest goalkeeping display I'd ever seen in person, despite conceding 5 goals!" Eoghan is a fine keeper alright, mind you he is getting plenty of practise at present! He is also a young lad, studying in Mary I Limerick. He plays out field for his club, Birr. Do people think that makes for a better. goalkeeper, as he is used to handling the ball. I should also mention James Dempsey, an excellent keeper, who played for Offaly up to 2017, but opted out this year. James plays in defence for his club Kinnitty. thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1735 - 02/06/2018 15:57:46 2106487 Link
Replying To Gowran_Yank: "Spot on! He just has a range of skills I don't see in other keepers probably due to being an excellent player for Glenmore. I have no doubt he'd be starting or at least a very potent sub for KK if not in goals. Lot's of great goalies, a couple who might not have been in form last year or in the league this year but are tops nonetheless. Verdict ...GOLDEN AGE!" I've no doubt in my mind it is due to him playing outfield. A friend of mine was in a similar position, played in goals for the county but outfield for club. His control and first touch were exceptional. He was nearly too valuable outfield at club level to play in goals. Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1898 - 02/06/2018 23:22:59 2106616 Link