5 GIANTS OF THE GREATEST TEAM EVER AND WHAT LIES IN STORE IN THEIR FUTURE
HENRY SHEFFLIN (34)
(9 All-Irelands; 11 All-Stars) Most speculation will inevitably centre on Shefflin’s future. Former colleague Eddie Brennan has tipped him to stick at it. If he does retire, and his last game was the only one he was ever sent off in, it will be an unfortunate ending.
JJ DELANEY (31)
(8 All-Irelands; 6 All-Stars) JJ won’t recall this summer with much fondness. It began with his own personal difficulties against Offaly. An exceptional wing back, the current full back will be 32 next March. He still has lots to offer.
JACKIE TYRRELL (31)
(6 All-Irelands; 4 All-Stars) Like Delaney, Tyrrell will be 32 next year. From the same James Stephens club as Brian Cody, it remains to be seen what influence Cody’s future plans have on his fellow club men.
BRIAN HOGAN (31)
(5 All-Irelands; 2 All-Stars) An All-Ireland winning captain in 2011, there is simply nothing left to achieve for Hogan. But he still has time on his side and it would be a surprise if he chooses to go out on such a low note.
TOMMY WALSH (30)
(7 All-Irelands; 9 All-Stars) The Tullaroan man (left) has already achieved legendary status on Noreside. His high-fielding ability, fearless nature and gifted stickwork means he will go down as one of the greats, but his form has dipped. He will surely want to stay on and
rekindle it. And what about Cody? His first season as manager in 1999 ended at the hands of Jimmy Barry Murphy. If this is his last season in charge, it will end in the same way. In the past, Cody has always waited until November to confirm his future plans.