National Forum

Greatest hurler ever

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Joe Canning, Shefflin, TJ, DJ, Tommy Walsh, JJ Delaney, Horgan, Brian Whelahan, Joe Cooney, Eoin Kelly are the best I've seen in my lifetime. (Damien Fitzhenry the best goalie but hard to be the greatest hurler as a goalie)
Might be strange that I've no Limerick lads mentioned but they are the greatest team I've ever seen and probably will see whereas the Kilkenny team were the greatest collection of individual talent I've ever seen and probably will see. Cian Lynch and Gillane probably in that category and probably will by the end, Lynch if he didn't have injuries could definitely be GOAT category but still has time.
Some other great players like Brian Corcoran, Ollie Canning, John Mullane, Ken McGrath, Daithi Burke, Liam Dunne, Lee Chin, Tony Kelly, Shane O'Donnell, Brian Lohan, Seanie Mac, Kyle Hayes, Michael Fennelly, Sean Finn etc too many to list.
Gun to my head I'm going with Canning. Favourite player to watch, to be in touted as future GOAT from age of 15 to meeting that expectation was crazy. Clifford is the only one similar I can think of in GAA to get that level of expectation. There's no wrong answers in this, just personal preference. Can make a case of any of like 10 lads.

Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (Wexford) - Posts: 274 - 17/08/2024 09:56:17    2565551

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It's very easy to pick players from counties which win All Ireland's.

In reality, it's very likely that the best hurler of all time played for a weaker county. It's much harder to be top class when you don't have other star players around you.

What about someone like Paddy Quirke? Won man-of-the-match on an All Star tour in 1980, and Carlow weren't even senior at the time.

They played in the old 'All Ireland B' - which was basically an intermediate competition.

Eamon Murray of Wicklow and London was another incredible hurler.

Of the current crop, Lee Chin is the best player out there, in my view. If he were playing for Limerick or Kilkenny, he'd be looked at very differently.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 689 - 17/08/2024 12:13:26    2565561

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Replying To CARPS:  "It's very easy to pick players from counties which win All Ireland's.

In reality, it's very likely that the best hurler of all time played for a weaker county. It's much harder to be top class when you don't have other star players around you.

What about someone like Paddy Quirke? Won man-of-the-match on an All Star tour in 1980, and Carlow weren't even senior at the time.

They played in the old 'All Ireland B' - which was basically an intermediate competition.

Eamon Murray of Wicklow and London was another incredible hurler.

Of the current crop, Lee Chin is the best player out there, in my view. If he were playing for Limerick or Kilkenny, he'd be looked at very differently."
Lee Chin is not the best hurler out there that is a fact. He's very good but not elite IMO

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2679 - 17/08/2024 15:21:58    2565583

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Dan Shanahan

CorkLiamMcCarthy24 (Cork) - Posts: 27 - 17/08/2024 15:56:07    2565587

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Replying To LohansRedHelmet:  "Lee Chin is not the best hurler out there that is a fact. He's very good but not elite IMO"
Just the fact he has almost single handedly carried Wexford the last few years means he deserves recognition, showed great nerve with the last minute in 2019 against Galway, and carried through Wexford against Kilkenny in 2022. Deserves a lot more respect than he is given.

Jedobi (Wexford) - Posts: 200 - 17/08/2024 17:27:18    2565595

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Replying To CARPS:  "It's very easy to pick players from counties which win All Ireland's.

In reality, it's very likely that the best hurler of all time played for a weaker county. It's much harder to be top class when you don't have other star players around you.

What about someone like Paddy Quirke? Won man-of-the-match on an All Star tour in 1980, and Carlow weren't even senior at the time.

They played in the old 'All Ireland B' - which was basically an intermediate competition.

Eamon Murray of Wicklow and London was another incredible hurler.

Of the current crop, Lee Chin is the best player out there, in my view. If he were playing for Limerick or Kilkenny, he'd be looked at very differently."
So true CARPS. Only seen by the off chance they play the top teams. I hav seen hurlers from the weaker counties roast top name players and often while shipping big defeats. I would put Pat McGrath Ken's dad up there with the greats. Right or left hand off the stick or in the air for a 5' 9'' man.His anticipation for where the ball would land was unbelievable. Never got an All-Star not that it means anything. Ken played on a more successful team so thus the discrepancy in profile we talk about.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2854 - 17/08/2024 17:37:41    2565597

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Replying To CorkLiamMcCarthy24:  "Dan Shanahan"
Please go away

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2679 - 17/08/2024 18:12:54    2565605

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I started following hurling in 99 and kilkennys Tommy Walsh is out on his own in my opinion.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1942 - 17/08/2024 18:18:16    2565606

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Ken McGrath is the best all round hurler I've ever seen, the guy was phenomenal. Skill to burn and proved himself in so many positions in attack and defense. Closely followed by Tommy Walsh.

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2054 - 17/08/2024 20:05:47    2565613

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Replying To Jedobi:  "Just the fact he has almost single handedly carried Wexford the last few years means he deserves recognition, showed great nerve with the last minute in 2019 against Galway, and carried through Wexford against Kilkenny in 2022. Deserves a lot more respect than he is given."
He is given plenty of respect and is a super player but he is not top of the top.

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2679 - 17/08/2024 20:15:28    2565616

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Replying To Canuck:  "So true CARPS. Only seen by the off chance they play the top teams. I hav seen hurlers from the weaker counties roast top name players and often while shipping big defeats. I would put Pat McGrath Ken's dad up there with the greats. Right or left hand off the stick or in the air for a 5' 9'' man.His anticipation for where the ball would land was unbelievable. Never got an All-Star not that it means anything. Ken played on a more successful team so thus the discrepancy in profile we talk about."
Agree but at same there are still incredible hurlers in top teams like tj etc incredible etc

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 457 - 17/08/2024 20:32:10    2565619

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Replying To LohansRedHelmet:  "Lee Chin is not the best hurler out there that is a fact. He's very good but not elite IMO"
Class but he isn't as good Reid or kelly

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 457 - 17/08/2024 20:32:57    2565621

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Replying To Jedobi:  "Just the fact he has almost single handedly carried Wexford the last few years means he deserves recognition, showed great nerve with the last minute in 2019 against Galway, and carried through Wexford against Kilkenny in 2022. Deserves a lot more respect than he is given."
I agree he is up there but it's subjective to me Tk is or tont tj carried weakened kk teams several years can't dismiss him say lee chin defo better both class

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 457 - 17/08/2024 20:34:09    2565622

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Replying To CARPS:  "It's very easy to pick players from counties which win All Ireland's.

In reality, it's very likely that the best hurler of all time played for a weaker county. It's much harder to be top class when you don't have other star players around you.

What about someone like Paddy Quirke? Won man-of-the-match on an All Star tour in 1980, and Carlow weren't even senior at the time.

They played in the old 'All Ireland B' - which was basically an intermediate competition.

Eamon Murray of Wicklow and London was another incredible hurler.

Of the current crop, Lee Chin is the best player out there, in my view. If he were playing for Limerick or Kilkenny, he'd be looked at very differently."
Better than Kelly or Reid Reid to me looking impact his career and he carried kk in some recent years where they didn't have depth. Chin up there but to me has to be Tj but it's rather subjective

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 457 - 17/08/2024 20:35:44    2565623

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Replying To Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin:  "Joe Canning, Shefflin, TJ, DJ, Tommy Walsh, JJ Delaney, Horgan, Brian Whelahan, Joe Cooney, Eoin Kelly are the best I've seen in my lifetime. (Damien Fitzhenry the best goalie but hard to be the greatest hurler as a goalie)
Might be strange that I've no Limerick lads mentioned but they are the greatest team I've ever seen and probably will see whereas the Kilkenny team were the greatest collection of individual talent I've ever seen and probably will see. Cian Lynch and Gillane probably in that category and probably will by the end, Lynch if he didn't have injuries could definitely be GOAT category but still has time.
Some other great players like Brian Corcoran, Ollie Canning, John Mullane, Ken McGrath, Daithi Burke, Liam Dunne, Lee Chin, Tony Kelly, Shane O'Donnell, Brian Lohan, Seanie Mac, Kyle Hayes, Michael Fennelly, Sean Finn etc too many to list.
Gun to my head I'm going with Canning. Favourite player to watch, to be in touted as future GOAT from age of 15 to meeting that expectation was crazy. Clifford is the only one similar I can think of in GAA to get that level of expectation. There's no wrong answers in this, just personal preference. Can make a case of any of like 10 lads."
To me it's Tj but it's so subjective

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 457 - 17/08/2024 20:36:39    2565624

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Replying To Gaaforlife2023:  "Class but he isn't as good Reid or kelly"
We are happy enough with him. Always give everything for Wexford.

Jedobi (Wexford) - Posts: 200 - 17/08/2024 20:45:39    2565625

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Replying To Galway9801:  "I started following hurling in 99 and kilkennys Tommy Walsh is out on his own in my opinion."
You started "following" hurling in 99! What a bizzare statement! What were you doing beforehand?

Onion_Sack (Dublin) - Posts: 249 - 17/08/2024 21:01:47    2565626

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Replying To LohansRedHelmet:  "Please go away"
you ok?

CorkLiamMcCarthy24 (Cork) - Posts: 27 - 17/08/2024 21:49:52    2565634

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I'll mention 2 who I always thought were top class hurlers..Eoin kelly(tipp)Ken mc grath(Waterford)broke our hearts in limerick..I also think Tommy Walsh and jj,2 fellas who could play anywhere..it's very hard to pick greatest of all time,I never saw ring or Mackey..I remember a lot from mid 70s on and my opinion would be totally different to others..

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2335 - 18/08/2024 00:35:31    2565643

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Stupid thread as there is noone alive who saw every hurler play. My favourites to watch in my time-
Tony Kelly, Liam Dunne, DJ, Joe Canning, Rory O'Connor, Diarmuid O Sullivan and Austin Gleeson in his early years.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13407 - 18/08/2024 09:30:01    2565655

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