Kerry’s attacking Mount Rushmore
DAVID CLIFFORD
Early days, but the game has already seen enough to herald the arrival of a rare talent.
It is not just his conversion rate, but his ability to conjure up scores almost out of nothing – the latest the drag-back goal to complete his hattrick against Galway last weekend – has made him the game’s headline act.
Debut: v Donegal, Jan 28, 2018
Age on debut: 19 years, 6 days. Total competitive appearances (League and championship) 29 Total scored: 9-117
Average per game: 4.9 points
Total scored in play: 8-78 Average per game in open play: 3.5 points per game
MIKEY SHEEHY
Blessed with dancing feet and a brain than was just as lively, he was a prolific scorer from play and frees. He provided the cutting edge to perhaps the most famous inside line in the game, with Eoin ‘Bomber’ Liston and John Egan for company. Debut: v Roscommon, Oct 28, 1973 Age on debut: 19 years, 92 days Total competitive appearances: 123
Total scored: 51-456
Average per game: 4.9 points per game (no differential available on break-down of scores from frees and open play)
After 29 games: 12-94
Average per game: 4.5 points
MAURICE FITZGERALD
The fear in Kerry was that Fitzgerald would end his career without an All-Ireland medal, which might have invalidated his status as one of the county’s greatest players.
In the end, he made that happen for himself with his inspirational showings in 1997 while, three years later coming from the bench, he got the Kingdom over the line once again.
Debut: v Mayo, March 20, 1988
Age on debut: 18 years, 102 days Total competitive appearances: 107
Total scored: 23-442
Average per game: 4.7 points After 29 games: 5-134
Average per game: 5.1 points
COLM COOPER
The Gooch was a one-off, slight and schoolboy-faced, he reduced the biggest arenas into a playground where he showcased an array of trickery and balance that made him at times unplayable. By the end of his career, he was an eight-time All-Star.
Debut: v Laois, April 28, 2002
Age on debut: 19 years, 55 days Total appearances: 143
Total scored: 34-441
Average per game: 3.8 points