Henry Shefflin with his son Henry after the 2014 All Ireland final.
INPHO/JAMES CROMBIE
Who were the best Gaelic footballers and hurlers over the past 50 years? With no championship likely this year Martin Breheny, GAA editor of the Irish Independent, has been trawling through the archives and he selected the top players in their respective counties and then gave us his overall top 20. In hurling Breheny went for Henry Shefflin as the top hurler and Jack O’Shea as Ireland best footballer since 1970. Kilkenny get four players in the top five with D.J. Carey ranked 2nd, Eddie Keher 4th and Tommy Walsh in 5th place. The only player to break the Cats dominance in the top five was Offaly’s Brian Whelahan who was ranked third. Likewise in football Kerry dominate with three of the top five from The Kingdom. Pat Spillane is ranked 2nd, with Mikey Sheehy in 5th place. The others footballers in the top five are Tyrone’s Peter Canavan, who was ranked 3rd and Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton who was listed in 4th place. Of course compiling lists like this is all very subjective, but many people will agree with most of Martin’s selections.
-- Sean Creedon
