|
Football Championship 2026 - 4 Like(s)
Can I take this opportunity to congratulate hlynch12 for winning the All Ireland Hide and Seek championship. Haven't seen him from Sunday.
Saynothing (National) - 30/07/2026 16:02:39
|
|
David Clifford The Goat - 4 Like(s)
Replying To eoinog: "Football is constantly evolving and there is always new footballers coming along taking their place on the Pinnacle of the ladder. Some brilliant players were unable to stay on top of their game due to distractions and I am sure you can all name at least 10 to 15 that fall into that category. Matt Connor was a brilliant, brilliant player and due to the sad way his career finished people definitely look at him through Rose tinted glasses. In the All Ireland final of 82 he didn't have a particularly good game and only scored one solitary point from play. Yet Clifford scores 1.6 last Sunday from play and people say where was he in the second half?
Clifford will never get enough recognition for what he is doing while he is still playing football. He will need to be retired 10 or 15 years before his greatness will be appreciated. I don't believe there is any such thing as a GOAT. Just appreciate every good footballer and enjoy the entertainment they provide." Thats actually a very good post Eoin.
I agree with all of your scribe.Impossible to say who is best ever .Its different eras and most of us never saw alot of older players.Also maybe defenders were better or worse in days gone by.However forwards did have only one marker years back whereas the likes of David nearly all have two marking him.
In the 2021 Munster championship v Cork there were 3 men on Clifford nearly non stop.One each side of him and one in front.They did blot him out but the rest of the Kerry forwards had a field day free and Kerry won by 22 points.
You are correct abour Matt Connor.One of my favourite players ever and top class but scored little from play in his two finals.
In this era David has shown his credentials but still wont get his deserved kudos from some but cest la vie.
CiarraiMick (National) - 30/07/2026 12:08:31
|
|
Football Championship 2026 - 3 Like(s)
Its very clear now a good club campaign can mess up your county campaign- Paul Geaney, Tom o sullivan, brian ó beaglaoich all barely played this year for Kerry. Dylan geaney looked tired near the end. The st bridgits lads barely played for Roscommon Ben o carroll, Brian Stack, Shane Cunnane. Rory beggan had his first ever injury in a monaghan jersey after a good year with scotstown. Conor mc carthy back real late for monaghan.
The year before the two canavans the two of the lads have barely featured for tyrone since then struggling with injurys. Con o callaghan has been suffereing with injurys ever since his good club run in 2024/2025
Farneyarmy2013 (National) - 30/07/2026 11:37:46
|
|
David Clifford The Goat - 3 Like(s)
Replying To eoinog: "Football is constantly evolving and there is always new footballers coming along taking their place on the Pinnacle of the ladder. Some brilliant players were unable to stay on top of their game due to distractions and I am sure you can all name at least 10 to 15 that fall into that category. Matt Connor was a brilliant, brilliant player and due to the sad way his career finished people definitely look at him through Rose tinted glasses. In the All Ireland final of 82 he didn't have a particularly good game and only scored one solitary point from play. Yet Clifford scores 1.6 last Sunday from play and people say where was he in the second half?
Clifford will never get enough recognition for what he is doing while he is still playing football. He will need to be retired 10 or 15 years before his greatness will be appreciated. I don't believe there is any such thing as a GOAT. Just appreciate every good footballer and enjoy the entertainment they provide." But a lot of those players didn't play in the Advanced Mark or 2 point era - so everything in context,
He's a very good player. But someone was comparing eras the other day - since Dublins decline there really isn't any great teams in this era - a lot of Kerry people have said in the last few days that this isn't a great Kerry team and they have prob been apart from Dublin the most consistent this decade in terms of AI wins.
Sure headline will be David scores 1. Something in a game. But Kerry look for him constantly and that costs something and takes something for others. If you can contain him or limit him, even rub him out of phases of the game you can have your way with Kerry.
If you look at the semis and finals Kerry have been involved in and lost this has been evident. His ability can be a great gift and curse for the rest of the team at times brought to bare.
He is also very lucky with referees and can be ill disciplined -I'll also say that.
TheUsername (National) - 30/07/2026 14:46:48
|
|
David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
Replying To TheUsername: "Id honestly prefer 6 scoring forwards playing with variance then doing what Kerry do or what Clifford brings.
As nice as it is to watch and as good as he is at it, its telegraphed and one dimensional on a team, over all i think its undermining.
From that point of view i wouldn't have him in the conversation.
Good player though." So because the other kerry forwards don't contribute enough, that means Clifford is not one of the best?
Ok im sure that sounds logical to you?!!!
richiepmurphy (National) - 30/07/2026 11:07:10
|
|
David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Fionn: "Look everyone is going to be defensive and protective of their own county and club, and players from their own county and club. It is only natural.
For me the King Con is better than King David.
And Prince Kobe has the potential to be better than both.
My personal view on rating how good a player is his ability, skill, scoring, creativity, defensive attributes, team work and workrate.
For me overall Con is better.
Add to that what Con has achieved in Both codes.
Phenomenal.
DC is one of the best forwards of all time.
Better than Con in the scoring charts for sure.
But the GOAT - nope.
Maybe I am biased but that is my opinion." I think your dislike of Kerry is tainting your vision a little Fionn.Con is a great player but nearly every former great and pundits from outside Kerry reckon young Clifford is the best they seen and all say he is the best right now by a country mile.He has done things that even Dermo could nt do.Speaking of Dermo.Dermo thinks same and I think Dermo was better than Con.Young Cliffords scoring is off the charts.
brayballer (National) - 30/07/2026 11:16:48
|
|
David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
In last years final David Clifford scored 9 points from play, and still didn't get motm. There's never been a player b4, or will be in the future who put up such a crazy score in an all Ireland final but didn't get motm.
Canavan got 11 or 12 in 1995 but only one of those were from play.
The Dublin poster questioning his workrate is nitpicking, every player has their strength and weaknesses. Jack o Connor doesn't want his marquee forward out around the 65 .
As it happens he actually won the last kick out against Tyrone when kerry were under pressure.
richiepmurphy (National) - 30/07/2026 12:40:14
|
|
David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
Replying To brayballer: "I think your dislike of Kerry is tainting your vision a little Fionn.Con is a great player but nearly every former great and pundits from outside Kerry reckon young Clifford is the best they seen and all say he is the best right now by a country mile.He has done things that even Dermo could nt do.Speaking of Dermo.Dermo thinks same and I think Dermo was better than Con.Young Cliffords scoring is off the charts." Clifford has incredible atheticsm etc. but I think what makes him stand out is his temperament. Take his goal on Sunday. Look at the array of skills need to execute that.- strength, power speed balance etc. Think of his ability with 2 pointers. But his greatest asset is his mental toughness and I think its this quality that separates him from the others. Has any single player in the history of IC football made such a contribution to his team? I'm not saying that Kerrynis a one man team but without Clifford they are undoubtedly a less fearsome prospect. I'll say it again: he is the best I've seen
avonali (National) - 30/07/2026 12:52:07
|
|
Galway Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To suckvalleypaddy: "Galway would be lucky to have PJ for another term; he is a great tribesman.
Success in 2027 comes down to the 26 available in June.
Mayo's brilliant success is massive for Connacht, and this can only drive the province forward.
Gaillimh Abu" Is that the sole requirement to being manager for Galway then? Being a great tribesman?
FallenStar (National) - 30/07/2026 12:32:16
|
|
Galway Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To 1951andwaiting: "To the best of my knowledge Fr Tom Burke's was a hurling club for Claddagh & Westside, it disbanded after a few years and became St,Michaels and concentrated on football only. I stand corrected but I remember hearing this before" 1951andwaiting - is it time to change your name? 2026andwaiting doesn't strike the same chord:)
Cbar (National) - 30/07/2026 16:49:58
|
|
Football Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Saynothing: "Can I take this opportunity to congratulate hlynch12 for winning the All Ireland Hide and Seek championship. Haven't seen him from Sunday." Or TommyBirmingham or MunsterFan…
A bit like KingdomBoy from a while back.
Fionn (National) - 30/07/2026 16:31:28
|
|
Galway Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To FallenStar: "Is that the sole requirement to being manager for Galway then? Being a great tribesman?" Obviously not: it's only year 2 of the new rules. PJ will have learnings from them. He deserves another year to proceed with the knowledge that everything before June is preparation for the real business. I wouldn't use him as a scapegoat for not going further this year. I hope he has another crack at it.
suckvalleypaddy (National) - 30/07/2026 16:07:44
|
|
Football Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)
Replying To legendzxix: "Armagh 2002 and Mayo 2026 were similar." I rememember the Kerry fans in New York going on the rampage in Woodside after the defeat in 02. If you were from Ulster, you were on their hit list. A number of bars in Woodside were wrecked. It shocked me after their own bully boy displays against Limerick in the Munster Championship.The defeats to Armagh and then Tyrone in 03 semi final they have never forgotten. Have always had a bad taste in my mouth re Kerry footbsll ever since.
ORIELMAN85 (National) - 30/07/2026 15:47:43
|
|
Dublin GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Fionn: "Looking forward to the Dublin SFC and of course the rest of the SHC.
Disappointed with how our Hurlers season ended.
Had high hopes tbh but we are quite a bit back from the top table.
The win over Kilkenny in The Neller was the highlight for me.
But looking at the levels of Limerick, and then the next level down of Clare, Galway, and Cork, we are realistically another level below that unfortunately.
The upturn with our Footballers surprised me.
Ger being back in the sidelines had a huge bearing on that. I now have more optimism that a few months ago and some of our newbies will have learned so much from this year. Hopefully they kick on again next year.
I hope Ger can unearth a few more from our SFC.
As for the how the football season unfolded - very happy with our upturn. Delighted for Westmeath and The Rossies and nice to see Armagh win their Provincial.
Thrilled for Mayo especially beating such massive odds and the overwhelming favourites in the process.
Their hoodoo lifted and against Kerry was sweet.
As for the Hurling - I tip my hat to Limerick yet again.
The Leinster SHC has a lot of work to do to catch up on the Hurling province of Munster. We are all quite a bit behind them tbh.
Dubs have a lot of work to do in both codes.
Hopefully part of our COE will be ready for our Inter County teams in the next few months.
Long long overdue.
Embarrassing tbh our lack of DCB facilities.
I think we have the right managers in place for both our Footballers and Hurlers and both will have learned a hell of a lot this season.
Roll on 2027.
ps I won't start a new thread/topic just for the sake of it, like others do…. lol
;o)" I think "some" wanted their very loooonnngg victory lap of a thread in place.
It just didn't end the way they were convinced it would.
Ah well
Beelzedub (National) - 30/07/2026 14:59:10
|
|
Mayo GAA Thread - 1 Like(s)
Sincere congrats to our neighbours. As deep as the rivalry is, I take my hat off, that was exceptional. We can learn a lot from ye!
You played football the way it was meant to be played - fearless, stylish, determined.
Nothing exemplified this more than ROD - what a warrior. He looked like a man possessed running around Croker
I'm delighted for the people of Mayo - we all have many relations across the border and to see how much this means to them brings a tear to my eye, a very proud football county
I'm already looking forward to Connacht next year - a rising tide lifts all boats...
tribesman123 (National) - 30/07/2026 13:31:47
|
|
Galway Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Mayonmylifetime: "Best of luck to the Galway ladies at the weekend! A Connacht double!!!" Thanks for the good wishes. Mayo did Connacht proud and to beat Kerry in AI final is some achievement. I'm sure your stylish play and overall positivity will help all west of Ireland teams into the future. We can now dream too. Enjoy the celebrations
Really (National) - 30/07/2026 13:28:14
|
|
Mayo All Ireland Champions 2026! - 1 Like(s)
Replying To tireoghainabu: "The provincials have been de- valued but the Connacht championship will be some craic next year." Not so sure the Rossies, Armagh and Westmeath would agree with that.
Everyone wanted competitive provinces in football - we now have 3.
And it is a very tough one to pick the winners of each of those 3 for next year tbh.
Mayo celebrations will last long into the Winter and might affect their League campaign but they will want to be Connacht kingpins again next season.
Leinster - Meath, Westmeath, Louth & Dublin.
Perhaps a dark horse to emerge.
About time Kildare stood up to the plate tbh.
Ulster - I think Donegal will be very determined to put a few things right.
The Hurling province looks to be predictable again next season.
Fionn (National) - 30/07/2026 08:57:01
|
|
David Clifford The Goat - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Fionn: "Con has been injured all season.
Look how well those Kerry players returning from injury fared in the final. Not good at all.
So those games are not like for like…!
As an all rounder player Con is better.
He can play in multiple positions and more importantly tracks back when needed.
Anyway, this argument could go on forever.
I stand by my opinion.
Others will stand by theirs.
Both players are phenomenal but I prefer Con." He tore Galway asunder in the game before, convenient that injury didn't come into it then?
You have your opinion but it's clearly biased. Mine and those outside of Dublin and Kerry is unbiased.
In fact, I would agree with your county man above that Connolly was better than Con.
peiledoir20 (National) - 30/07/2026 11:54:19
|
|
David Clifford The Goat - 1 Like(s)
Replying To endgame: "Missed a two pointer near the end when his team needed him most. He's a great player no doubt. The greatest is Matt Connor Offaly." Football is constantly evolving and there is always new footballers coming along taking their place on the Pinnacle of the ladder. Some brilliant players were unable to stay on top of their game due to distractions and I am sure you can all name at least 10 to 15 that fall into that category. Matt Connor was a brilliant, brilliant player and due to the sad way his career finished people definitely look at him through Rose tinted glasses. In the All Ireland final of 82 he didn't have a particularly good game and only scored one solitary point from play. Yet Clifford scores 1.6 last Sunday from play and people say where was he in the second half?
Clifford will never get enough recognition for what he is doing while he is still playing football. He will need to be retired 10 or 15 years before his greatness will be appreciated. I don't believe there is any such thing as a GOAT. Just appreciate every good footballer and enjoy the entertainment they provide.
eoinog (National) - 30/07/2026 10:58:50
|
|
Equivalents In Outpouring Of Wider GAA Fans To Mayo's Win In All Ireland - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Fairplayalways: "Offaly in 1982 was mental in the aftermath of the Kerry defeat for the 5 in a row, in lesser times of technology, the sun visor stickers all accross the windows leading up were "Kerry for 5" and etc. etc. When Offaly won, of course the Offaly AI champions equivalent came out and in a mint green transparent full width of windsreen and about 4 inches deep were adorned on every Hilmant Hunter, Mark 3/4 Cortina, Austin A30/40 and their equivaents that moved...The Seamus Darby story later tells how it ruined his life after the aftermath, one would hope today most players are well grounded and will live out normal lives after Mayos win..it was well over due." I was on the cabal and behind the goals when Derby got that goal. Never experienced anything like that. We were swept up and down several times with crushes from that to the final whistle.
Freethinker (National) - 30/07/2026 09:50:59
|