Billy The Kid. 1. Kevin O'Dwyer: Broke onto the cork team in the "mid 90's and remained a mainstay for the best part of the following decade. A very good organiser of his fullback line and an extremely accurate distributor of the ball. Also well known for his excellent reflexes as exhibited in numerous penalty saves throughout his tenure as Cork's number 1. All star winner in 1999.
2. Mick Deegan: Teak tough corner back who won his first inter county medal as a Dublin minor. By the mid 80's he had established himself as an automatic selection in the Dublin full back line where he went on to collect an All star award in 1991, as well as 2 NFL medals and an All Ireland senior medal. Famed for his tight man marking, hard tackling, and an master executer of the block down.
3. Mick Lyons: As hard men of the GAA go, this guy sits right at the top of the list. Easily the toughest defender of his generation and a rock in the Meath defence which played in 4 All Ireland finals between 87 and 91. Aside from his physical style of play he also possessed great aerial prowess as well as the ability to always force his marker away from goal. The amount of players that managed to out muscle him during his career stands at: 0
4. Kenneth Mortimer: Selected due to his physical presence and leadership ability. A mainstay of the Mayo defence during his playing days. Never afraid to venture forward when his forwards were struggling in a bid to rescue games, as typified by his superb match turning point against Roscommon in the Connaught championship of 99. Like his 2 colleagues in this fullback line, Mortimer is also an All star winner.
5. Colm Coyle: Like Mortimer behind him, this iron tough 3 time All Ireland winner was never afraid to venture forward. An all round player who managed to feature in Meath's fullback, half back, half forward, and full forward lines throughout a decade and a half long inter county career. It was Coyle's last gasp point against Mayo in 1996 which saved Meath from defeat thus earning them a replay which they duly went on to win.
6. Keith Barr: Seeing as the selection criteria for my defence was players who possessed brute physicality coupled with ball playing ability, then just like Mick Lyons, Barr was an automatic choice. When the Australians tried their usual rough and tumble tactics in the comp rules series of 1990, it was Barr who stepped to the front of the line to dish it back in spades during the opening test. Also known to have broken opponents jaws on more than 1 occasion at club level, this 2 time All Star winner starts at centre back.
7. Tony Davis: The only player to win All Ireland medals at Minor, U-21, Junior, Senior and Club level. A stalwart of the successful Cork teams of the late 80's, this All star was probably best known for his hard hitting shouldering, a trait he used to good effect against some of Meath's more physical players of that time. Also a tight man marker with an astute ability to dispossess opponents as they solo'd the ball by snatching it on the uptake.
8. Liam McHale: Named in Mayo's best team of the last 50 years shortly after his retirement, this multi talented player not only used his 6ft 5 aerial prowess to good effect on the gaelic football pitch, but also on the basket ball courts where he represented both Ballina & Ireland. Another versatile All star winning player who could also play in the half forward line, he lines out in his more prolific position of midfield due to his fielding ability.
9. Paul McGrane: Without question one of the best midfielders of his generation and one of the greatest ever players to play for Armagh. This hard running midfielder was named as one of Ulsters all time greatest players during the GAA's 125th anniversary in 2009. The engine room of the Armagh team that dominated Ulster football with 7 title wins in the early part of yester-decade, he was also instrumental in helping to steer Armagh to All Ireland glory against Kerry in 2002, where he managed to gain the upperhand in a midfield duel against a certain Mr. Darragh O'Se
10. Dessie Farrell: A Dublin representative at Minor, U-21, and Senior level, this agile and fast handed player often left defenders for dead due to his amazing turn of pace. Making every use of his low centre of gravity, he was a master at buying himself a yard of space. He was one of Dublin's most prolific and reliable scorers as they took provincial titles in 92, 93, 94, 95, 02, and 05, as well as All Ireland glory in 95 for which he was awarded an All star.
11. Tommy Dowd: Easily one of the most physical and equally skilful players to play in both central positions of attack. Dowd managed to bag himself 3 All star awards before he had even managed to land his first All Ireland medal. He was instrumental in leading Meath to All Ireland glory in 1996. As captain of that side he lead by example by netting the decisive goal which sunk Mayo in the replayed final. His undoubtable leadership was further exemplified in that final by his man of the match winning performance, which ultimately led to his 4th All star.
12. Oisin McConville: Not only is he a household name at inter county level for being an expert free taker and the all time highest scoring player in Ulster championship history, this player has also managed to come away from Croke Park with 5 All Ireland club medals. A stand out player for the now famous Crossmaglen Rangers side, McConville has also earned legendary status in Armagh football for racking up the lions share of Armagh's points during the time of their Ulster dominance. Also instrumental in Armagh's 2002 All Ireland triumph
13. Eoin Mulligan: Another hard running forward with an innate ability to shoot and score without looking at the goal posts. His goal against Dublin was described by the then commentator Ger Canning as one of the greatest goals ever scored in Croke Park, and no doubt it was. And immense team player with a superb eye for a pass, as seen when he set up Canavan's match winning goal in the 2005 final with the deftest of lay offs. His performance in that game earned him the man of the match award and the 2nd of his 3 All Ireland medals
14. Vinny Murphy: Made his debut for the Dublin Senior team whilst still playing at Minor level. He won an All star for his performances with Dublin in 1992 when they reached the All Ireland final. He added to his medal haul by being an instrumental figure in Dublin's NFL wins in 91 and 93. Also a holder of 5 Leinster titles. Murphy was selected for his ability as a target man and for his strong physical presence
15. Maurice Fitzgerald: Undoubtedly the most gifted all round footballer of his generation, and a player deserving of legendary status amongst the ranks of Kerry's greatest ever players. Once described by Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh as the Zidane of Gaelic games. A sublime free taker who could take them from the ground or from the hand, and could kick with both left and right feet with almost equal effect. Amazing ability to control the ball effortlessly whilst running at full tilt, as seen by his exquisite goal against Armagh in the 2000 semi final which he finished with his left boot. Speaking of seemingly effortless, if you want to see an example of a footballer making an intrinsically difficult score look ridiculously easy then feel free to reference his points against Mayo in 97, or Dublin in 01
vs
KERRYKOP
--------------------------------------------1.--------------------------------------------
Pascal McConnell
(Tyrone)
------------2.------------------------------3.-----------------------------4.------------
Marc O'Se Mike McCarthy Ryan McManamin
(Kerry) (Kerry) (Tyrone)
------------5.------------------------------6.-----------------------------7.------------
Brian Corcoran Kevin Moran Tony Hanahoe (capt)
(Cork) (Dublin) (Dublin)
---------------------------8.-----------------------------9.------------------------------
Willie Joe Padden Dermot Earley JR
(Mayo) (Kildare)
-----------10.-----------------------------11.---------------------------12.-----------
Darren O'Sullivan Brian Dooher Mickey Ned O'Sullivan
(Kerry) (Tyrone) (Kerry)
-----------13.-----------------------------14.---------------------------15.----------
Stephen O'Neil Eoin Liston Mickey Sheehy
(Tyrone) (Kerry) (Kerry)
Freetaker
All Ireland's 43
All Stars 33
Player Of The Year 3
Kerry 6 Tyrone 4 Dublin 2 Mayo 1 Kildare 1 Cork 1 Pascal McConnell My Final pick and a goalkeeper needed, two All Irelands, two All Stars and the most imposing keeper iv ever seen play Gaelic Football which was one of the reasons he was a mainstay for Ireland at the beginning of the last decade.
Marc O'Se What can I say, any decent team needs an O'Se and this one won a Player of the Year along with 4 All Ireland medals and 4 All Stars. The tidyest and stickiest of Corner backs, the only player Id trust with the ball going across his own goal mouth.
Mike McCarthy Lets get this straight Kerry would have not won the All Ireland in 09 without his return, a dependable and strong full or half back, winner of five All Ireland Medals and two All Stars.
Ryan McManamin I cant stand him, but every team needs a player like this, a filthy thug who knows how to win. He can also kick ball and is partial to the odd surging run when things are getting tough, three all Ireland's
Brian Corcoran A dual star and known more for the small ball, but make no mistake he was a competent and dynamic half back in the big ball as well. Won three Munster medals (when they mattered) with Cork
Kevin Moran In the history of the GAA there hasnt been many players as explosive as Moran, if he hadn't of been poached by the inbreds you can only imagine how good he would have become, who can forget that run at the beginning of the 77 final, 2 All Irelands, 2 All Stars
Tony Hanahoe (capt) My most controversial pick, I went for him because I'm all about picking the best, I also have cover for him if our half back line is getting squeezed (they wont) 3 All Irelands as Captain for the great Dubs of the 70's
Willie Joe Padden "Will Galway bate Mayo?" A mythical midfielder that men write songs about. Big fielding and swash buckling, one of the greatest players from his province, 2 All Stars
Dermot Earley JR The mark of the man is he won two all stars over ten years apart, that shows longevity and consistency. Along with high fielding he can list long range scores as one of his main assists.
Darren O'Sullivan Scorer of one of the greatest ever goals in football or soccer. A road runner half forward who puts the fear of God into slugish backs, won an All Ireland as captain of Kerry, winner of two others and one all star.
Brian Dooher This man is the engine and heart beat of my side, he literally has everything in his game, tough tackling, scoring and tireless pacy running. Broke my heart several times, captain of winning Tyrone side in 08, winner of two others and three time All Stars
Mickey Ned O'Sullivan Iv mentioned Moran's run, but Mickey's in the 75 final must go down as the most infamous, imagine if he'd been allowed to continue his it fairly, probably the greatest goal of all time, 1 All Ireland as captain and 1 All Star.
Stephan O'Neil Another one of my footballers of the year and one of the greatest players of his generation, absolutely deadly and capable from any angle, 3 All Irelands and 3 All Stars
Eoin "Bomber" Liston No one can deny he was the greatest full forward of all time, he burst on the scene with a hatrick in his first All Ireland final, no less than 7 All Irelands and 4 All Stars
Mickey Sheehy My most decorated player, I dont think I have to explain what this man was capable of, 8 All Ireland's and 7 All Stars
Poll