Greatest Irish Sportsperson of all time

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14/09/2009, 10:55 PM
strangeirish

Muhammad Ali...FACT!
:D
14/09/2009, 11:13 PM
Sheridan

If it were a serious list (and the fact that it was promulgated by RT� and features gaelic players and horse trainers means it isn't), Kevin O'Flanagan, Bob Lambert and Lucius Gwynn would be there.

George Best shouldn't be on the list at all, of course, but he must have done some pretty extraordinary things when the cameras were absent, because none of the very extensive footage I've seen of him would place him in the top 50% of players today, unlike Liam Brady or Paul McGrath.
14/09/2009, 11:18 PM
Dodge

Eddie Macken being there is a joke too. Won nothing at world level (unlike other Irish showjumpers). Ken Doherty?? LOL

My vote goes to Kelly. Only one on there who was considered the best in the world over a sustained period
14/09/2009, 11:25 PM
Sheridan

In fairness Doherty was a world champion, unlike most of those featured. Comparing across disciplines is a pointless exercise, but that seems like as strong a commendation as any. Could probably make a case for Steve Collins on the same basis.
14/09/2009, 11:36 PM
Patrick Dunne

Voted for McGrath.

In my opinion, the most outstanding individual to represent this country at the worlds most popular sport.

Honourable mentions to Ronnie Delaney, Joey Dunlop, John Treacy, Sonia O'Sullivan.

Alex Higgins, anyone ?
15/09/2009, 12:09 AM
The Fly

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheridan

George Best shouldn't be on the list at all, of course, but he must have done some pretty extraordinary things when the cameras were absent, because none of the very extensive footage I've seen of him would place him in the top 50% of players today, unlike Liam Brady or Paul McGrath.

Are you taking the ****? :eek:
15/09/2009, 7:54 AM
bennocelt

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Fly

The only real contenders for this title are;

As they say 'up North' - Maradona good, Pele better, George BEST!
(Oh and he's Irish, not British) :mad:

ha ha but he was from Northern Ireland?:rolleyes:

anyway Im still in the horseracing camp - im sorry but these guys give me as much pleasure as any of the rest

Mick the Miller? Best greyhound bar none:)

And I do think Kelly was awesome when he was around, he could have won the Tour de France but for that "bug" that wiped out the KLM team

and Higgins revoultionised snooker
15/09/2009, 11:51 AM
alltogethernow

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Fly

Padraig Harrington's achievements in recent years have been great - a real credit to him. However, and I hate to qualify his successes somewhat, he is not the best at what he does and golf does lack the physical dimension. Sorry Padraig!

[SIZE=2]What?
He is by far the best Irish golfer,if your comparing him to other people in the world game its pointless because it is greatest IRISH sportsperson.

Harrington gets it for me, 3 majors, world cup, Ryder Cups, Walker Cups countless european and PGA tour wins.

IMO no one else comes close at the minute.
[/SIZE]
15/09/2009, 4:07 PM
The Fly

Quote:

Originally Posted by bennocelt

ha ha but he was from Northern Ireland?:rolleyes:

and Higgins revoultionised snooker

err..........Higgins is from Northern Ireland as well, as is Mike Gibson, Jack Kyle, Joey Dunlop, Willie John MacBride and Pat Jennings etc...

Gibson, Kyle and Dunlop are all on the list and deservedly so, though how Jennings and W.J. MacBride are not escapes me.

People from Northern Ireland are Irish as well, unless stated otherwise!
15/09/2009, 4:25 PM
The Fly

Quote:

Originally Posted by alltogethernow

[SIZE=2]What?[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]He is by far the best Irish golfer,if your comparing him to other people in the world game its pointless because it is greatest IRISH sportsperson. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Harrington gets it for me, 3 majors, world cup, Ryder Cups, Walker Cups countless european and PGA tour wins. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]IMO no one else comes close at the minute.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]

I know what you mean................I did include him in my shortened list of people who would be serious contenders for the accolade, however, in my view golf is simply too deficient as a sport for it's participants to be considered amongst other great sportsmen. I enjoy the game and play off a handicap of 18 but, despite having enjoyed playing it for the past couple of years, I do consider it more a game than a sport.

Despite it being a sport which is highly skilled, it does lack any kind of athletic, physical dimension. I mean......is Angel Cabrera, the US Masters champion and proud paunch owner, a great sportsman. One only has to look at the previous British Open - the 59 year old Tom Watson almost won the tournament! While many Golf commentators were describing it as one of the greatest achievements in sport, wiser heads were saying that it simply showed Golf up as a sport.
I agree with the latter...........who couldn't when looking at it seriously.
15/09/2009, 5:16 PM
bennocelt

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Fly

err..........Higgins is from Northern Ireland as well, as is Mike Gibson, Jack Kyle, Joey Dunlop, Willie John MacBride and Pat Jennings etc...

Gibson, Kyle and Dunlop are all on the list and deservedly so, though how Jennings and W.J. MacBride are not escapes me.

People from Northern Ireland are Irish as well, unless stated otherwise!

true but they are also British, just stating the facts
15/09/2009, 5:31 PM
centre mid

http://www.monkeyboobies.com/gallery...2/pedantic.png
15/09/2009, 5:53 PM
MeathDrog

Just out of interest, why would someone pick Roy Keane as a genuine contender? (And I don't need to hear the history of Man United since 1997 etc.)
15/09/2009, 9:46 PM
The Fly

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeathDrog

Just out of interest, why would someone pick Roy Keane as a genuine contender? (And I don't need to hear the history of Man United since 1997 etc.)

Why would they not pick him as a genuine contender?
15/09/2009, 9:49 PM
The Fly

Quote:

Originally Posted by bennocelt

true but they are also British, just stating the facts

Explain to me how Pat Jennings, for example, is British?
Is Mike Gibson not Irish? Is Jack Kyle not Irish? etc.....

Each one is as worthy of a place on this list as any of the other nominess.
15/09/2009, 11:21 PM
MeathDrog

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Fly

Why would they not pick him as a genuine contender?

I just feel that he has not done a lot for his country compared to others on that list.
16/09/2009, 8:49 AM
Norm

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeathDrog

I just feel that he has not done a lot for his country compared to others on that list.

But he was still a fantastic sportsperson who was Irish.
16/09/2009, 11:28 AM
bennocelt

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Fly

Explain to me how Pat Jennings, for example, is British?
Is Mike Gibson not Irish? Is Jack Kyle not Irish? etc.....

Each one is as worthy of a place on this list as any of the other nominess.

Well he was born in britain?
16/09/2009, 12:36 PM
pineapple stu

bennocelt, give it a rest already.
16/09/2009, 12:57 PM
Wolfie

Not sure if there is anything to surpass Roche's achivement on the International Stage in 1987. A genuinely remarkable achievement.

That said, I'd vote for Sean Kelly as he was at the very top of his profession for a considerable period of time.

Memory is hazy on this but I think bad luck conspired to rob Kelly of the Tour of Spain one year? I think he had a cyst and had to drop out of the tour. I remember seeing footage of Kelly finally having to give up the ghost on that tour, in absolute agony and in tears as he had to drop out.

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