No doubt about full forwards and keeper in Team of the ‘90s
CONTINUING the second part of my ‘Teams of the Decade’, this week’s column goes through the best players I played with during the 1990s. The decade was ultimately a successful one for my club Clan na Gael with three Joe Ward Cups (1992, ‘ 93 & ‘98) although it started very poorly - losing the 1990 and 1991 finals to Cooley and Stabannon.
At county level we enjoyed some great times during this period where we competed with and regularly beat the very best teams in the country. Nobody fancied playing us as we had a team that was a match for anyone, particularly during the league, but we failed to make that telling breakthrough in the championship. We were within touching distance on several occasions but unfortunately came up a little short each time.
I was also fortunate to get selected to play inter-provincial football for five or six seasons during the decade, winning Railway Cup medals in 1996 and 1997. I played with many fantastic players at club, county and provincial level all through the nineties and could easily have selected two or three teams of fairly similar ability. Again apologies if I’ve inadvertently left someone out.
Niall O Donnell (Clans) is an automatic choice as goalkeeper. The accuracy and trajectory of his booming 80 yard kickouts made it easy to go up and catch them. He was also a fantastic shot stopper and safe as houses under a high ball. The fact he was always great craic and a friend to this day is an additional bonus. Niall edges out John O Leary (Dublin) and Fergus Byrne (Clans).
Full Back line is Nicky Malone (Lannleire), Gareth O Neill (Cooley)/David Mulligan (St Josephs) and Stephen Melia (John Mitchels). Nicky was an excellent footballer and comfortable in any outfield position. He cared little for the reputations of opposing star forwards and nearly always came out on top. I simply couldn’t decide between Gareth and David at number 3. Gareth was a combative full back in the traditional style who enjoyed confrontation but was also an excellent footballer. Daisy, on the other hand, abhorred confrontation and depended purely on his natural talent and positional sense. A mesmerising sidestep also afforded him endless time and space. His county career was unfortunately much too short. Stephen got better with age. He had an incredible appetite for work and was always trying to improve his game. Was never beaten and the last man you wanted picking you up at training. Special mentions for Kevin O Hanlon (Clans), Davy Dalton (Kildare) and Sean Dixon (Clans).
Half Back line is Paul Curran (Dublin), Glen Ryan (Kildare) and Graham Geraghty (Meath). Battled against them many times but trained and played alongside them for several seasons with Leinster. All three were immensely strong characters but with exceptional ability who were the driving force behind their respective county teams. They were equally good in defence or attack. Honourable mention for Colm McCarragher (Cooley), John Donaldson (Stabannon) and Paddy McEneaney (Clans).
Midfield is Ken Reilly (Stabannon) and Tony Maher (Laois). Ken was a serious operator with both club and county. We soldiered together for many years with him usually taking the best of the opposing midfielders. He invariably stayed at home allowing me to roam. Tony and myself fought many battles at county level with honours probably just about breaking even. We operated together with Leinster for several years against the country’s best midfielders, very seldom coming second best. They just edge out the ever consistent John Osbourne (Naomh Fionbarra) and Gerry Curran (Clans).
Half forward line is Kevin O Brien (Wicklow), David Reilly (Stabannon) and Brendan Kerin (Ardee). Kevin is slightly out of position on the right wing, but his amazing talents had to be included somewhere in the forward line. Played with and against the Baltinglass man on many occasion and he was simply brilliant. Can’t recall any defender ever really containing him. David could have featured in many positions but was deployed in this role during the mid-90s to great effect by manager Paul Kenny. Another serious footballer who could play and mix it with the best. Brendan was goalkeeper and I was corner back on a Louth U14 team in 1981. Fairly sure we played together on almost every Louth selection from there to the late 90s. Immensely strong, the Ardee man could play anywhere and always gave 100%. Didn’t get the half credit he deserved for his footballing ability. Special mentions for Alan Rooney (Ardee), Pat Butterly (Stabannon) and Ollie McDonnell (St Josephs).
The ‘90s Full forward line is probably the easiest selection of the three decades. Cathal O Hanlon (Clans), Stefan White (Clans) and Colin Kelly (Newtown Blues). When on their game, all three were unmarkable. Each of them were capable of winning a match on their own and I played in games where we won solely because of their individual scoring ability. The combined talents of Cathal, Stefan and Colin were exceptional. Special mentions for Alan Doherty (Ardee), David Staunton (Clans) and Fintan Murphy (Cooley).