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Intercounty Players Who Had One Or Two Good Seasons And Then Just Disappeared..Both Codes

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In football
Anthony Gaynor - Cavan 2004 to 2007/8
Chris O'Connor - Meath 2007 - 2010
Derek Duggan - Roscommon 1990 -1991
Mossy Lyons - Kerry 2001
Phillip Clifford - Cork 1999 - 2002/3 maybe

In Hurling
Brian "Bull" Phelan - Waterford 2004 i think
Johnny Brenner - Waterford
Conor Phelan - Kilkenny - but i believe he had a serious heart condition and had to retire

Not sure if that's the calibre of players you're looking for but they all broke through and disappeared again very quickly

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1954 - 09/04/2021 09:19:19    2336522

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Replying To bluegossun:  "Graham Reilly had a couple of fairly good seasons after making his championship debut then fell away sharply"
Hope RoyalDunne doesn't see that or there'll be trouble ;)

Another lad from Meath I'd throw in the Mix was Damian Carroll in the Banty years. Remember speaking to John Evans a couple of years later (was a selector with Banty and Meath) Banty had Carroll as #32 or #33 on the squad and Evans fought hard to keep him on the panel. Was a very handy centre forward for 2 years and then Mick O'Dowd turfed him aside like a lot of guys.

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1954 - 09/04/2021 09:56:38    2336529

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Replying To brian:  "Hope RoyalDunne doesn't see that or there'll be trouble ;)

Another lad from Meath I'd throw in the Mix was Damian Carroll in the Banty years. Remember speaking to John Evans a couple of years later (was a selector with Banty and Meath) Banty had Carroll as #32 or #33 on the squad and Evans fought hard to keep him on the panel. Was a very handy centre forward for 2 years and then Mick O'Dowd turfed him aside like a lot of guys."
Damian Carroll was a fine footballer..I remember him..had great physique and skill to go with it which is rare..

Fairplayalways (Offaly) - Posts: 1034 - 09/04/2021 10:46:48    2336540

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Ray Cosgrove.

What a year he had in 2002. Won an all star and was in the mix for POTY.

Unfortunately his year ended on a sour note when he hit the bar with a list kick of the game free in the All Ireland semi final vs Armagh. I was 12 years of age sitting in the canal end and i cried my eyes out ha.

He never done much after that.

ConnollyDub (Dublin) - Posts: 2007 - 09/04/2021 10:51:38    2336542

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Replying To brian:  "In football
Anthony Gaynor - Cavan 2004 to 2007/8
Chris O'Connor - Meath 2007 - 2010
Derek Duggan - Roscommon 1990 -1991
Mossy Lyons - Kerry 2001
Phillip Clifford - Cork 1999 - 2002/3 maybe

In Hurling
Brian "Bull" Phelan - Waterford 2004 i think
Johnny Brenner - Waterford
Conor Phelan - Kilkenny - but i believe he had a serious heart condition and had to retire

Not sure if that's the calibre of players you're looking for but they all broke through and disappeared again very quickly"
I remember Johnny Brenner...he had a woeful engine...Offalys Huber Rigney marked him in a enthralling Leage quarter or semi final early 1990s and told me he never seen such an engine in any player...Brian Phelan, yes indeed, was an outstanding player...I thought of him watching Corks u21's a year or two ago and they have a fellah Brian Turnbull or other and despited the same forenames only he reminded me of Brian Phelan with his industry and sheer ability to score...Conor Phelan (KK)might have done a couple of seasons and also has a great engine and no mean skill...

Fairplayalways (Offaly) - Posts: 1034 - 09/04/2021 10:51:50    2336543

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Replying To brian:  "In football
Anthony Gaynor - Cavan 2004 to 2007/8
Chris O'Connor - Meath 2007 - 2010
Derek Duggan - Roscommon 1990 -1991
Mossy Lyons - Kerry 2001
Phillip Clifford - Cork 1999 - 2002/3 maybe

In Hurling
Brian "Bull" Phelan - Waterford 2004 i think
Johnny Brenner - Waterford
Conor Phelan - Kilkenny - but i believe he had a serious heart condition and had to retire

Not sure if that's the calibre of players you're looking for but they all broke through and disappeared again very quickly"
Mossie Lyons was an odd one. Always played a lot in the league under Paudi but not championship. Went off the seane for a few years and came back again. Started the league final in 06 when Kerry beat Galway and started the Munster final but didn't play after that. Played in 07 as well.

Philip Clifford was Cork captain in 99 and was only maybe 19/20 and I think was Young footballer of the year but must have been only in his mid 20s when he finished. I get the feeling he had a lot of injuries as even in 99 he worse a knee support.

Evan Kelly from Meath was a fella who seemed very good around 01 and seemed to disappear soon after. There was a wing back as well from the mid 2000s King I think was he's name.

Cavan had a fella in the mid 2000s as well Lyng I think was hes name. Was a forward who had a great season around 04 or 05.

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1380 - 09/04/2021 10:53:07    2336545

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mark mchugh (Donegal) would probaly fall into that category. A key component of Donegal's Win in 2012, he was never able to recapture the form or fitness levels he attained that year, Still an excellent player at club level for reasons only are probably only known to the player himself he struggled to be a regular after 2015

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 912 - 09/04/2021 11:01:41    2336551

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Replying To oneoff:  "Mossie Lyons was an odd one. Always played a lot in the league under Paudi but not championship. Went off the seane for a few years and came back again. Started the league final in 06 when Kerry beat Galway and started the Munster final but didn't play after that. Played in 07 as well.

Philip Clifford was Cork captain in 99 and was only maybe 19/20 and I think was Young footballer of the year but must have been only in his mid 20s when he finished. I get the feeling he had a lot of injuries as even in 99 he worse a knee support.

Evan Kelly from Meath was a fella who seemed very good around 01 and seemed to disappear soon after. There was a wing back as well from the mid 2000s King I think was he's name.

Cavan had a fella in the mid 2000s as well Lyng I think was hes name. Was a forward who had a great season around 04 or 05."
TBF oneoff Evan Kelly was a Meath regular from the mid 90's all the way through to 2001 which was his best season and think he won his only all stars. So wouldn't say he'd be a 1/2 season player. Same for Coamhin King, was around for 8-10 years on Meath teams at wing and corner back.

Yep Micheal Lyng would be the lad you're thinking off from Cavan.

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1954 - 09/04/2021 11:26:31    2336560

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very interesting too to know do they become involved with their clubs or do they just fall away altogether..hard to believe some do with the talent they have..Chris O'Connor,,yeah remember him now...fine classy player....

Fairplayalways (Offaly) - Posts: 1034 - 09/04/2021 13:21:22    2336591

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Replying To oneoff:  "There was a Garvan Mccarthy from Cork who started in either the 03 or 04 Munster final. He just seemed to totally disappear after that. Think he might have scored a goal in the game"
Yeah he scored a very lucky fortunate goal in that game.

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1898 - 09/04/2021 13:28:14    2336593

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Replying To Bon:  "Yeah he scored a very lucky fortunate goal in that game."
just seen a Kildare poster on here...Stuart McKenzie Smith???..whatever becam of him...a one seaon wonder sort of...

Fairplayalways (Offaly) - Posts: 1034 - 09/04/2021 22:32:13    2336667

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Kevin Keane Mayo.

Alan Freeman Mayo.

James ó Donaghue Kerry.

Mark Vaughan dublin.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 11/04/2021 02:17:30    2336813

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Hurling

Pa Burke (Tipperary)
Cha Fitzpatrick (Kilkenny)
John Tennyson (Kilkenny)
Kevin Downes (Limerick)
Bryan O'Sullivan (Limerick)
Cathal Naughton (Cork)
Conor McGrath (Clare)


Football

James Masters (Cork)
Brendan Jer O'Sullivan (Cork)
Kieran O'Leary (Kerry)
James O'Donaghue (Kerry)
Derry O'Connor (Limerick)
Donie Shine (Roscommon)
Donie Brennan (Laois)
Tomas Quinn (Dublin)
Ray Cosgrave (Dublin)

DUALSUPPORT (Limerick) - Posts: 1038 - 11/04/2021 11:13:19    2336834

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Replying To DUALSUPPORT:  "Hurling

Pa Burke (Tipperary)
Cha Fitzpatrick (Kilkenny)
John Tennyson (Kilkenny)
Kevin Downes (Limerick)
Bryan O'Sullivan (Limerick)
Cathal Naughton (Cork)
Conor McGrath (Clare)


Football

James Masters (Cork)
Brendan Jer O'Sullivan (Cork)
Kieran O'Leary (Kerry)
James O'Donaghue (Kerry)
Derry O'Connor (Limerick)
Donie Shine (Roscommon)
Donie Brennan (Laois)
Tomas Quinn (Dublin)
Ray Cosgrave (Dublin)"
Thanks for that, alot of players mentioned in both codes did have a good few seasons with their counties...Cha Fitzpatrick for example in hurling and Donie Shine was in and around Roscommon for a few seasons in the main...John Tennyson and James Masters too...Brendan Jer O'Sullivan Mossy Quinn they all played a few years as far as I remember...I am really referring to lads who had one or two outstanding seasons and then zump gone..never to be heard of again..

Fairplayalways (Offaly) - Posts: 1034 - 11/04/2021 15:55:38    2336866

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Davy Keane from Clare.. I played football with this lad at college and probably one of the best footballers i've ever seen take the field. Had knee problems but omg what a talent

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/lost-time-sharpens-keane-edge-1.90228

btw Michael lyng did come back into the county fold some years later but bad injuries inbetween had curbed some speed. Played on for a good while at club level.

ponger (Cavan) - Posts: 540 - 11/04/2021 16:21:30    2336873

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Replying To Fairplayalways:  "just seen a Kildare poster on here...Stuart McKenzie Smith???..whatever becam of him...a one seaon wonder sort of..."
I'm not sure to be honest, I don't really follow kildare football. I remember him playing alright.

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1898 - 11/04/2021 16:23:23    2336874

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Replying To Fairplayalways:  "I remember Johnny Brenner...he had a woeful engine...Offalys Huber Rigney marked him in a enthralling Leage quarter or semi final early 1990s and told me he never seen such an engine in any player...Brian Phelan, yes indeed, was an outstanding player...I thought of him watching Corks u21's a year or two ago and they have a fellah Brian Turnbull or other and despited the same forenames only he reminded me of Brian Phelan with his industry and sheer ability to score...Conor Phelan (KK)might have done a couple of seasons and also has a great engine and no mean skill..."
The Bull played for a god number of year may be Johnny Brenner a bit less. Johnnie's brother Stephen was a lights out goalie but was a nervous wreck when playing for the the county. He would be shaken from the day before and one would dribble through his legs. If Clinton Hennessy had come back from the U.S. a year or two earlier we would have had our All-Ireland or if cider had some discipline.
Lots of players had brothers that were better than them but little interest. The great Joe Condon's brother Jackie was a fabulous player, played a few times but little interest. John and Martin Kirwan's brother Tony was the best of them both played little. The Whelan's of Portlaw Jakie, Franky and Mossy played but Peter was the best corner back in Ireland and would hold Eddie Keher scoreless when he played which was not very often as I believe he was also a nervous wreck. There are many examples of great players who fade away or have no interest.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2655 - 11/04/2021 17:03:15    2336876

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Replying To totalrecall:  "mark mchugh (Donegal) would probaly fall into that category. A key component of Donegal's Win in 2012, he was never able to recapture the form or fitness levels he attained that year, Still an excellent player at club level for reasons only are probably only known to the player himself he struggled to be a regular after 2015"
Yea huge player in 2012. Got bad injury in 2013 ulster final. Never really the same player after that. He went stateside in 2014 and missed out on another all Ireland appearance. His biggest attribute was his reading of the game and his overall fitness. Just a shame that he never really fulfilled his undoubted ability.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2392 - 11/04/2021 20:36:13    2336911

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Replying To Canuck:  "The Bull played for a god number of year may be Johnny Brenner a bit less. Johnnie's brother Stephen was a lights out goalie but was a nervous wreck when playing for the the county. He would be shaken from the day before and one would dribble through his legs. If Clinton Hennessy had come back from the U.S. a year or two earlier we would have had our All-Ireland or if cider had some discipline.
Lots of players had brothers that were better than them but little interest. The great Joe Condon's brother Jackie was a fabulous player, played a few times but little interest. John and Martin Kirwan's brother Tony was the best of them both played little. The Whelan's of Portlaw Jakie, Franky and Mossy played but Peter was the best corner back in Ireland and would hold Eddie Keher scoreless when he played which was not very often as I believe he was also a nervous wreck. There are many examples of great players who fade away or have no interest."
I remember Tony Kirwan playing for Waterford ok...an interesting link I made a few years years ago in a connection with the Troys in Lusmagh in Offaly (Jim and John of Offaly fame) are connected as far as I know to the Fives in Waterford..I hate guessing what one of them told me as I probaby ahve it wrong by now, but I think the Fives mother was a Troy from Lusmagh...I do stand corrected but there is some link...and if that is right or wrong, the Troys are cousin of Joe Bergin that hurled for Offaly upto recently..a player who came at the right wrong time for Offaly but still hurled almost 20 years I think for Offaly, he hurled 14 or 15 anyway I would hazzard a guess...Barney Moylan of Offaly held Eddie Keher scoreless from play too I believe...I heard of the Whelans being excellent hurlers before....Clinton Hennessy was a great great goal keeper...what a pity he didnt get a medal like so many more of that Waterford panel of players...

Fairplayalways (Offaly) - Posts: 1034 - 12/04/2021 10:14:10    2336933

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Replying To brian:  "TBF oneoff Evan Kelly was a Meath regular from the mid 90's all the way through to 2001 which was his best season and think he won his only all stars. So wouldn't say he'd be a 1/2 season player. Same for Coamhin King, was around for 8-10 years on Meath teams at wing and corner back.

Yep Micheal Lyng would be the lad you're thinking off from Cavan."
Yeah Mickey Lyng. Actually he played a fair few seasons from mid-2000s up to the early 2010s. He's still playing club football, but he was an outstanding player and did have some cracking games around 04 alright, especially the game with Armagh. Pity there was only a few bright moments in that Cavan team, they massively under delivered in that era despite the players available.

Trevor Crowe from Cavan was one who played only 1 season (think his job was hard for him to commit properly) but he shone bright that year. Honestly he was just a lump of a hard man who you couldn't knock off the ball, had decent skills too and was able to get into faces and stir things up.

Loughduff Lad (Cavan) - Posts: 2380 - 12/04/2021 13:02:46    2336962

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