Top 5 forwards of the last 50 years
1 COLM COOPER (Kerry)
Ball-winning: 8 - All about his movement. Deceptively strong given his frame
Finishing: 10 - Kerry’s all-time leading Championship scorer with 23-283
Skill: 10 - Retains copyright on a range of skills with ball in hand, trademark dummied shot just one
Vision: 9 – Age and circumstance turned him into play-maker supreme in that 2013 semi-final against Dublin
Leadership: 9 – So many key scores at critical moments, from dead balls, too
2 MIKEY SHEEHY (Kerry)
Ball-winning: 8 – Like Gooch, relied on his ability to lose his man and create space
Finishing: 10 – Audacious lob on Cork goalkeeper in 1982 Munster final was simply breath-taking
Skill: 10 – Watch his impossible goal with time almost up in 1987 drawn Munster final against Cork
Vision: 9 - Chipped goal on Paddy Cullen still a thing of wonder
Leadership: 9 - Eight All-Irelands says it all about big-day temperament
3 PETER CANAVAN (Tyrone)
Ball-winning: 9 – Fearless. Survived and prospered in bear-pit of Ulster Championship. Close to unmarkable Finishing: 9 – Points more than goals his favoured trade but regularly hit double digits
Skill: 9 – Sublimely two-footed, elusive, explosive
Vision: 8 – Would be higher only he usually had to do so much himself.
Leadership: 10 - One-man band in 1995 All-Ireland final; captain’s part in 2003 and inspired pin-point finish to net in 2005 final
4 PAT SPILLANE (Kerry)
Ball-winning: 9 – The prototype wing-forward long before Brian Dooher, Paul Galvin or Paul Flynn made it fashionable
Finishing: 9 – Record nine All-Stars says everything
Skill: 9 – Such a direct, powerful runner meant he didn’t need the same trick set to create space
Vision: 8 – More renowned as finisher than conductor of the Golden Years orchestra
Leadership: 10 – Eight All-Irelands again testament to unbending spirit and indomitable will, not to mention cruciate comeback
5 MATT CONNOR (Offaly)
Ball-winning: 9 – Could win possession any which way Finishing: 9 – Hit 2-9 against Kerry in 1980 semi-final Skill: 10 - Grace in motion Vision: 9 – Play-maker and finisher in one Leadership: 9 – Wore burden of Offaly hopes, but career cut short