National Forum

Players not rated as highly by their own

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I was listening to a Sean Cavanagh interview on The Square Ball GAA podcast - I thought it was very good - great story after the 2016 QF.

What I didn't realise is that Seán is not seen as an idol in Tyrone or at least that's what came across in the podcast.

Is this true? I find it hard to believe that he is not an absolute legend up there. I think he's one of the best players I've had the pleasure of seeing play. His performance in the '08 final must be up there with all the greats.

I couldn't see a Tyrone Thread - can someone enlighten me?

Cbar (Mayo) - Posts: 332 - 21/08/2024 09:50:35    2566098

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Replying To Cbar:  "I was listening to a Sean Cavanagh interview on The Square Ball GAA podcast - I thought it was very good - great story after the 2016 QF.

What I didn't realise is that Seán is not seen as an idol in Tyrone or at least that's what came across in the podcast.

Is this true? I find it hard to believe that he is not an absolute legend up there. I think he's one of the best players I've had the pleasure of seeing play. His performance in the '08 final must be up there with all the greats.

I couldn't see a Tyrone Thread - can someone enlighten me?"
On the football field Sean should go down as one of the greats in the whole of Ireland never mind Tyrone. The ***** he went through on and off the field was criminal, Sunday papers included. He was a constant target in club matches down the years usually by players who couldn't kick backdoors. 15 years with Tyrone, 6 Ulsters, 3 All Irelands, 5 All Stars, captained Ireland, legends stuff. Not cut out for the Sunday Game though.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2150 - 21/08/2024 11:48:34    2566135

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Replying To Saynothing:  "On the football field Sean should go down as one of the greats in the whole of Ireland never mind Tyrone. The ***** he went through on and off the field was criminal, Sunday papers included. He was a constant target in club matches down the years usually by players who couldn't kick backdoors. 15 years with Tyrone, 6 Ulsters, 3 All Irelands, 5 All Stars, captained Ireland, legends stuff. Not cut out for the Sunday Game though."
He's obsessed, but that's what made him the player he was. I don't know if it's true but I heard he was top in his accountancy class and graduated fairly young? He seems like he doesn't want to do a job unless he does it to the best of his ability. Which is great in sport but maybe he should enjoy it a bit more too. He was an unbelievable footballer. Could do it all and would probably could do a good job in any line on the pitch. Won three All Irelands in great Tyrone teams but what I admire most about Sean Cavanagh is how he led weaker teams than the noughties teams to more Ulster titles. He hated losing and never as jovial a character as Muggsy or Ricey so maybe not everyone's cup of tea. But for me he's definitely one of Ireland's greats Saynothing. Even if some don't like him you'd have to admire the man.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7651 - 21/08/2024 12:44:09    2566149

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Replying To Saynothing:  "On the football field Sean should go down as one of the greats in the whole of Ireland never mind Tyrone. The ***** he went through on and off the field was criminal, Sunday papers included. He was a constant target in club matches down the years usually by players who couldn't kick backdoors. 15 years with Tyrone, 6 Ulsters, 3 All Irelands, 5 All Stars, captained Ireland, legends stuff. Not cut out for the Sunday Game though."
Agree with all, an unbelievable player.

sam2024 (Armagh) - Posts: 38 - 21/08/2024 13:47:32    2566172

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Replying To Saynothing:  "On the football field Sean should go down as one of the greats in the whole of Ireland never mind Tyrone. The ***** he went through on and off the field was criminal, Sunday papers included. He was a constant target in club matches down the years usually by players who couldn't kick backdoors. 15 years with Tyrone, 6 Ulsters, 3 All Irelands, 5 All Stars, captained Ireland, legends stuff. Not cut out for the Sunday Game though."
Not bad going for someone who isn't even a man - according to a certain Joe Brolly! Seriously, he has to rate as one of the greatest. I feel privileged to have seen him in action.

midlands (Westmeath) - Posts: 583 - 21/08/2024 14:37:18    2566183

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Replying To Saynothing:  "On the football field Sean should go down as one of the greats in the whole of Ireland never mind Tyrone. The ***** he went through on and off the field was criminal, Sunday papers included. He was a constant target in club matches down the years usually by players who couldn't kick backdoors. 15 years with Tyrone, 6 Ulsters, 3 All Irelands, 5 All Stars, captained Ireland, legends stuff. Not cut out for the Sunday Game though."
Agree with almost all your comments. I don't think he's too bad in the Sunday Game at all.

If you haven't listened to the podcast I'd suggest listening to it.

What comes across is that had he retied in say 2010 he would have been held in higher esteem among Tyrone people than he is now which I found hard to believe and based on your comment, not true. Although your average Joe supporter may not appreciate everything he did in the same way you do.

Cbar (Mayo) - Posts: 332 - 21/08/2024 15:04:11    2566185

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Replying To midlands:  "Not bad going for someone who isn't even a man - according to a certain Joe Brolly! Seriously, he has to rate as one of the greatest. I feel privileged to have seen him in action."
Pass the bucket (UK)

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3028 - 21/08/2024 16:09:39    2566196

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Pass the bucket (UK)"
He'd walk onto an Ulster team of this millennium, and likely would have a place on a national team of this millennium also.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13859 - 21/08/2024 16:46:18    2566201

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Sean Cavanagh was a great player and Id say he's very much seen as an idol in his native Tyrone… His holding the ball out with one hand and then taking his man on before shooting was great… Super player in his day…!

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3025 - 21/08/2024 16:57:42    2566205

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Replying To Viking66:  "He'd walk onto an Ulster team of this millennium, and likely would have a place on a national team of this millennium also."
Would walk on to both.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5192 - 22/08/2024 01:32:16    2566248

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "Sean Cavanagh was a great player and Id say he's very much seen as an idol in his native Tyrone… His holding the ball out with one hand and then taking his man on before shooting was great… Super player in his day…!"
When pressure was on, Kavanagh delivered. Tyrone won two tight All Ireland Finals with Kerry in 2005 and 2008 and Sean Kavanagh produced the goods when needed to help push the Red Hands over the line in those games. A great player does that. No hiding when the heat comes on.

endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2300 - 22/08/2024 08:29:23    2566253

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "Sean Cavanagh was a great player and Id say he's very much seen as an idol in his native Tyrone… His holding the ball out with one hand and then taking his man on before shooting was great… Super player in his day…!"
And his shuffle!!

bloodandbandage (Cork) - Posts: 349 - 22/08/2024 09:25:19    2566259

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Tommy Dowd won 4 all stars for meath and played in 4 all ireland finals and captained them to all ireland victory in 96 rarely gets talked about in same vein as other meath players. he seemes very much beloved outside meath, particularly dublin and kerry.

dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 766 - 22/08/2024 22:34:22    2566366

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I remember seeing him play a number of times including in minor. One game that sticks in my memory is the 2006 game in Omagh when Derry walked over Tyrone. I recall standing near the scoreboard that game, it is a famous photo in Derry folk lore now of that scoreboard.

PattyONeill (Derry) - Posts: 246 - 23/08/2024 15:43:35    2566468

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Replying To PattyONeill:  "I remember seeing him play a number of times including in minor. One game that sticks in my memory is the 2006 game in Omagh when Derry walked over Tyrone. I recall standing near the scoreboard that game, it is a famous photo in Derry folk lore now of that scoreboard."
Sean would have been 23 or 24 in 06, don't think he would have made the minors. Derry don't have much if that scoreboard goes down in folklore. Can you remember the scoreboard from 1995 when Tyrone were down to 13 men and came from behind to beat Derry? Scoreboard read, Tyrone 0-11 , Derry 0-10.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2150 - 24/08/2024 13:20:30    2566550

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Replying To Saynothing:  "Sean would have been 23 or 24 in 06, don't think he would have made the minors. Derry don't have much if that scoreboard goes down in folklore. Can you remember the scoreboard from 1995 when Tyrone were down to 13 men and came from behind to beat Derry? Scoreboard read, Tyrone 0-11 , Derry 0-10."
Add in 2009 when the Derry supporters were half way up the Glenshane out of Casement before the Ulster semifinal was over .

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2150 - 24/08/2024 19:04:00    2566599

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