All, with the development of tactics, sweepers and rotating forwards and backs in the last number of years in both hurling and football, its rare now that a man on man for 70 minutes even occurs or has the ability to develop year on year into a classic.
The dual of Daithi Burke and John Conlon last Saturday was one that most of us anticipated to be a humdinger and it didnt dissappoint in my eyes with unbeleivable skill, strength and utter determination from both not to be dominated. Both these men cross paths again this weekend but whether they provide us with more battles next year or the year after that is up to the Gods.

With that in mind, Im asking people what duals have you seen live or on TV in your lifetime that where ones you wont forget. They can be once-offs or numerous repeats. To start the best I remember are;
- Frank Lohan vs Eugene Cloonan
- Noel O'Leary vs Paul Galvin
- Diarmuid Connolly vs Lee Keegan
- Tommy Walsh vs Lar Corbett

pridengalway (Galway) - Posts: 327 - 02/08/2018 15:21:26    2128519

Not really a man-on-man duel in the sense that one was marking the other, but the Seamus Callanan (Tipperary Full-Forward) v Colm Callanan (Galway Goalkeeper) battle from the 2015 semi-final was unbelievable. Galway ended up winning the match, but Seamus Callanan won man of the match despite being on the losing side, scoring 3-9(!) of his team's 3-16, as Galway prevailed by a single point. And despite conceding three goals, it was one of the best goalkeeping performances I've ever seen - Tipp should have had much more than three goals.

Texas (Donegal) - Posts: 163 - 02/08/2018 17:00:04    2128543

2000 All Ireland Semi Final and replay - Armagh's Oisin vs Seamus Moynihan - that day Oisin scored 1-09 bu5 Moynihan got man of the match and player of the year but oh man every ball those two days were 50/50 between two great Gaa men - the Final that year too had Seamus Moynihan against Joyce from Galway two friends from IT Tralee and again some clash but for me the semi against Oisin was the clash of all clashes

Horsebox77 (Kerry) - Posts: 5491 - 02/08/2018 17:10:48    2128545

Mickey Linden v Paul Clarke

Hardtimes (Cavan) - Posts: 1056 - 02/08/2018 17:32:52    2128549

Tomas Mannion vs Joe Brolly.

Oh, wait- that was hardly a "battle"...

streaker (Galway) - Posts: 497 - 02/08/2018 18:24:01    2128562

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 02/08/2018 18:32:51    2128565

colin lynch and tony browne

perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 03/08/2018 09:05:29    2128664

Dublin v Meath old school
Mullins O Shea
The great Paudie v who ever he was marking literally
Me n the missus 28 years to date

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 03/08/2018 13:19:21    2128737

As a Limerick supporter
John Galvin/John Quane vs Dara O'Se/Eoin Brosnan.
Damien Reale vs Eoin Kelly(Tipp)
Richie McCarthy vs Seamus Callanan
Mike Houlihan vs John Leahy

Football
Diarmuid Connolly vs Lee Keegan
Anthony Lynch vs Colm Cooper
Paul Galvin vs Noel OLeary
Brian Dooher vs Tomas O'Se

Hurling
DJ Carey vs Brian Whelehan
John Mullane vs Brian Murphy
Dan Shanahan vs Sean Og o'hailpin

DUALSUPPORT (Limerick) - Posts: 1038 - 03/08/2018 15:13:25    2128761

Was always a fan of the traditional 3 v 14 clash. For me Mick Lyons v Vinny Murphy were great duals to watch. Two hard men that in today's game of black cards would never have seen 70 mins of a championship game. ROC v "star" had the makings of a great rivalry but "star" was coming to the end of his days and ROC called a halt to his time in blue. Keith Barr v any Meath half forward always made for great viewing. He would kick Giles and O'Rourke from one end of the pitch to the other but they were both fine footballers and Keith would shake hands and wink at them at the end of the game. Days when men were allowed be men.

Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4700 - 03/08/2018 15:42:28    2128773

Its gas. Usually when posters write "duel" they mean "dual". Now here we have a case of someone meaning " duel" and wrote "dual". Schooling isn't what it used to be!

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1902 - 03/08/2018 17:48:33    2128794

The Lyons den. Pauric, mick Lyons and cousin Liam. V anyone. There has never been a full back line that hard or tough and with today's namby pandy look at me and I'll throw myself to ground crowd there unfortunately never will be again.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 03/08/2018 18:41:14    2128803

Keith Higgins v James O'Donoghue.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7336 - 03/08/2018 22:38:39    2128837

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7336 - 03/08/2018 22:54:43    2128841