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Top 5 Free Takers in Gaelic Football

Top 5 Free Takers in Gaelic Football  

The quality of a team’s free taker can be the make or break factor in the outcome of a football match at all levels of the game. 

But who exactly are the best free takers in Ireland? Below we list the top 5 free takers in Gaelic football

Dean Rock (Dublin) 

The Ballymun Kickhams club-man has taken the art of free taking to new heights during his stellar inter county career.  

His percentage of successful frees in last year’s Championship was a truly exceptional 89%, nailing 32 of the 36 frees he took as Dublin secured the historic 5 in a row.

This metronome like reliability over the years has helped the Dubs keep up their relentless surge to success after success, and when he finally hangs up his boots, Rock will surely go down as one of the all-time great free takers in Gaelic football. 

 

Sean O’ Shea (Kerry)

The relative new kid on the block, the Kerry native is the one man on this list that could perhaps challenge Rock for the title of greatest free taker of the modern era in a few years’ time. 

His total score count from placed balls has been broadly similar to Rock’s over the last couple of years, while the young Kenmare man is also a very accurate 45 kicker. 

 Cillian O’ Connor (Mayo) 

The All Ireland Football Championship’s record points scorer is another dead ball specialist worthy of his place on this list. 

The Ballintubber man has been to the forefront of free taking since he burst on the scene for Mayo, and his importance in this regard is highlighted by the fact that Mayo struggle with placed balls when O’ Connor is not on the pitch. 

O’ Connor is also a brilliant penalty taker with his first miss from the spot in 9 attempts coming against Kerry, when Brendan Kealy managed to tip his attempt over the bar for just a solitary point. 

Michael Murphy (Donegal) 

The talismanic Donegal skipper is not only one of the greatest players to ever play the game, he is also one of the finest free takers in the country. 

His ability to keep the scoreboard ticking over from frees or 45’s and nail clutch kicks in difficult moments for his county are a major advantage to a Donegal side that will expect to be at the business end of this year’s Championship. 

Rory Beggan (Monaghan) 

The Scotstown native is the only goalkeeper on this list, a trend that may change in the coming years as goalkeepers become even more important to their teams, not only in open play but from placed balls. 

Beggan has become the main man when it comes to goalkeepers scoring frees and 45’s in Gaelic football, with teams coughing up frees against Monaghan inside 50 meters regularly punished by the keeper’s unerring accuracy. 

It is a major advantage for Monaghan to know that they possess a weapon such as the ability of Beggan to score from long range, a weapon that will no doubt be useful as the Championship kicks off this winter. 

 

 

 

 

Keane 1- Klopp 0: Klopp in bizarre rant over Roy Keane ‘sloppy’ comment

The clash we have been waiting for since Roy Keane began working with Sky Sports. Even though it wasn’t really was it, as when Jurgen Klopp looks back at the footage from Monday’s edition of Monday Night Football he will see how mistaken he was in his bizarre rant over Roy Keane’s ‘sloppy’ comment.

Keane in his job as an analyst on the show and not a cheerleader for Klopp and his team, although its hard to tell these days with some football ‘analysts’, was clearly pointing out that in a game Liverpool completely dominated there were evidently some sloppy moments, that might have led to another result on another day.

In fact Keane was wholesome in his praise for Klopp’s team for much of his review of the game, but mentioned that some aspects of the defending was sloppy.

What followed was Klopp’s bizarre rant over Keane’s sloppy comment that was as unnecessary as it was mistaken.

The Liverpool manager said that he believed Keane had called their performance during the 3-1 win sloppy, which he clearly didn’t, merely stating that there were some sloppy moments but that Liverpool had thoroughly deserved the win.

“It was a good night’s work for Liverpool, who were by far the better team. There were one or two scares but they deserved the win. They’re like a machine and one of the fittest teams around. They like to suffocate teams. It’s never easy to score goals but they managed three tonight, four against Leeds. It got a little bit sloppy at the back but it’s job done.”

Keane is right Liverpool are a winning machine, but it is his job to analyse football matches and Liverpool have definitely been lax defensively at some points over the last few weeks in the Premier League. They conceded 3 goals to a newly promoted Leeds team and it could have been more, and again last night they completely outplayed Arsenal but again certain moments of defensive slackness could have come back to bite them.

Their forward players and their top quality attacking play may mean they wont lose these games, but surely a pundit is there to highlight and describe what they see during a ninety minute performance and that’s exactly what Keane did.

The performance by the Liverpool manager after that however, just unnecessary.

 

Jack Byrne gets call up for crunch Republic of Ireland play off

Stephen Kenny has called up Shamrock Rovers midfielder Jack Byrne and Blackburn Rovers defender Derrick Williams to his Republic of Ireland squad for the make or break Euro 2020 play off on October 8.

Both players, capped by previous Irish managers, receive their first call ups to a Stephen Kenny Irish squad after missing out on the squad for the games against Bulgaria and Finland.

Southampton forward Michael Obafemi again misses out as does the injured Troy Parrott but Kenny does include injury doubts Robbie Brady and Callum O’ Dowda in his squad of 25.

The squad will assemble in Dublin on Sunday before travelling to Slovakia on Tuesday.

Ireland must defeat Slovakia to advance to the play off final away against either Northern Ireland or Bosnia and Herzegovina in November.

Goalkeepers
Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Bournemouth).

Defenders
Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Shane Duffy (Celtic, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers).

Midfielders
Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), James McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jayson Molumby (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jack Byrne (Shamrock Rovers), Robbie Brady (Burnley).

Forwards
Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City), Aaron Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), David McGoldrick (Sheffield United), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Shane Long (Southampton).

Greenwatch – Irish International Soccer Weekend Recap

SSE Airtricity League

Stephen Kenny was in attendance at Oriel Park on Sunday evening. He witnessed a sublime finish from Jack Byrne as he muscled Chris Shields off the ball and rounded the goalkeeper to score from the tightest of angles. Byrne’s performance will give Kenny some food for thought as he is set to announce his squad today for the crucial play-off tie against Slovakia.

 

Premier League

West Brom’s Callum Robinson bagged two goals against Chelsea with the game finishing all square. His second goal highlighted his sharpness has he nipped in to score after a Thiago Silva error. Fellow Irish international Conor Hourihane also enjoyed his evening at Craven Cottage on Monday as he notched a goal and an assist against Fulham.

Everton won their third successive game of the new Premier League season. Seamus Coleman teed up Dominic Calvert-Lewin inside the box to score the Toffee’s first of the afternoon. Manager Carlo Ancelotti had some kind words to share about his captain after the game.

Aaron Connolly netted his first goal of the season last weekend against Newcastle United. His Brighton team came close against Manchester United this weekend after a controversial end to the game resulted in Brighton coming away with nothing. Connolly will have felt aggrieved after he was taken down in the box however no penalty was awarded.

Robinson and Hourihane made the WhoScored.com ‘Team of the Week’ after their excellent performances.

WhoScored.com Premier League ‘Team of the Week’.

Championship

It was a relatively quiet weekend in the Championship for Irish representatives. Kieran Sadlier, previously of Sligo Rovers and Cork City, scored a penalty as his Rotherham side drew 1-1 against Birmingham City.

Mark Travers picked up an injury in the warm-up before Bournemouth’s game. There is now a potential doubt over his involvement in the squad for the Slovakia match. Likewise, Troy Parrott hasn’t had the start to the season he would’ve hoped for. He is yet to start a league game for new club Millwall due to a recurring ankle injury.

 

Rugby residency rule delayed

The rugby residency rule has been delayed by a further year. This rule allows a player to become eligible for another nation provided they have not represented the designated ‘senior’ representative team of a union where they were born.

World Rugby said in a statement that it is prolonging the rule due to “exceptional disruption” caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. In May World Rugby voted to extend the residency rule from 3 to 5 years which was a rule welcomed by many in the sport.

However, it has now been reported that the cut off date of December 31st 2020 has now been delayed to December 31st 2021.

The extension was due to come into law at the end of 2020 but last month the governing body extended the three year residency for another 12 months on “compassionate grounds” due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Due to the disruption to the international calendar caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, playing opportunities have been significantly affected across the sport’s 127 member unions and eligible players may have been prevented from representing a union on the basis of 36 months residency by the scheduled cut-off date and would therefore automatically move into the 60-month requirement,” explained a WR statement. “In light of these exceptional circumstances, the Executive Committee, having consulted with unions and International Rugby Players, determined it was appropriate to extend the 36 month residency requirement set out in Regulation 8 to December 31st 2021.”

James Lowe will become one of the last players recruited by the IRFU to become eligible under three years residency.  One high profile case will be Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman who can represent Scotland next year rather than in 2023.

Pittsburgh steelers game against Titans in doubt

Pittsburgh steelers game against Tennessee Titans that is due to be live on NFL Sky is in doubt.

At least three new players, and five new personnel of the Tennessee Titans have tested positive for COVID-19 according to reports

“Out of the abundance of caution, the organization has decided to work remotely today as we follow NFL protocols related to the Covid-19 virus. “Several tests have come back positive and are working through the process of confirming them. We will have more information tomorrow.”

The Steelers released a statement saying:

“We have been in contact with the NFL regarding the positive COVID-19 tests with the Tennessee Titans. We have been informed to proceed with our game preparations for Sunday’s game until we are informed.”

Head coach Mike Tomlin’s weekly press conference has been postponed until further notice.

ESPN reports that the Titans’ facility will be shut down until at least Saturday.

 

 

Ireland Squad Announced for Slovakia Play-Off Game

Jack Byrne included in Kenny’s Squad

Jack Byrne gets his first Ireland call-up under Stephen Kenny on the back of recent impressive form, particularly against Dundalk and AC Milan. Following a man of the match performance against Dundalk on Sunday, Byrne remained coy on his chances of a call-up. However according to Stephen Kenny, Jack Byrne has been included ‘on merit’ for his recent stand-out performances. Blackburn centre-half Derrick Williams also makes the cut for the first time under the new manager.

Injury Update

The squad list includes midfielders Robbie Brady and Callum O’Dowda despite recent injury concerns surrounding the pair. Kenny admitted that he is uncertain whether they will both be fit to play in Bratislava. Brady came off before half-time for Burnley against Leicester City with a rib injury and has not featured since. Troy Parrott remains on the injury list keeping him out the 25-man squad.

Coleman or Doherty?

Stephen Kenny was quizzed on whether Seamus Coleman’s bright start to the new season enhances his chances of replacing Matt Doherty in the starting eleven. “This is a good problem to have” was Kenny’s response, keeping his cards close to his chest.

The full interview with Stephen Kenny is below.

After an underwhelming start to his tenure, the new Ireland manager will be hoping for an improved level of performance from his players when they take on Slovakia next month. Many of the squad have started the season well and will aim to carry this form into the crucial play-off game.

Ireland take on Slovakia on October 8th at 7.45pm at the Tehelné Pole Stadium in Bratislava.

Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has named a 25-man squad for the Euro 2020 Play-Off semi-final against Slovakia in Bratislava and the UEFA Nations League games against Wales in Dublin and Finland in Helsinki.

Shamrock Rovers midfielder Jack Byrne and Blackburn Rovers defender Derrick Williams feature for the first time in an Ireland squad under Stephen.

The squad will assemble in Dublin on Sunday and train at the FAI’s National Training Centre in Abbotstown before flying to Slovakia on Tuesday.

Goalkeepers
Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Bournemouth).

Defenders
Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Shane Duffy (Celtic, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers).

Midfielders
Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), James McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jayson Molumby (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jack Byrne (Shamrock Rovers), Robbie Brady (Burnley).

Forwards
Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City), Aaron Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), David McGoldrick (Sheffield United), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Shane Long (Southampton).

Will We See An Irish Winner In The 2020 Melbourne Cup?

Irish raiders will be among the favourites when the world’s finest stayers battle for fame and fortune in the Melbourne Cup on November 3. Thoroughbreds from the Emerald Isle have enjoyed plenty of success in the famous Group 1 race over the years, but they reached a new zenith by securing an unprecedented 1-2-3 in 2017.

Joseph O’Brien’s Rekindling won the race ahead of his father Aidan’s star stayer, Johannes Vermeer, while National Hunt legend Willie Mullins saddled third-placed Max Dynamite. Australians have been obsessing over Irish raiders ever since, but they have failed to live up to the hype in the past two years.

Aidan O’Brien’s Il Paradiso finished third last year, and he will spearhead the Irish charge in the race that stops a nation in 2020. Will we see another Irish winner?

Anthony Van Dyck Heads Down Under

O’Brien senior will have another strong hand in the 2020 Melbourne Cup. The Ballydoyle maestro put Anthony Van Dyck, Santiago, Tiger Moth, Armory, Magic Wand and Wichita into quarantine in September and they will head Down Under in early October in a bid to conquer all that stands before them.

Anthony Van Dyck, Santiago and Tiger Moth are all expected to run in the 3200m Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 3. Anthony Van Dyck will be the first Epsom Derby winner to ever bid for glory in the Melbourne Cup.

It is dubbed the race that stops a nation due to its popularity Down Under, but it is reportedly enjoyed by a TV audience of 750 million, and the Irish contingent will certainly be cheering on Anthony Van Dyck in the prestigious AU$8 million (€4.8 million) race.

He is a supremely versatile horse. He won the Derby at Epsom over 1m 4f 6y (2420m) last year, before placing in the Breeders’ Cup Classic over 1m 4f in November. Anthony Van Dyck made his seasonal reappearance when finishing second to Ghaiyyath, the world’s top-rated horse, in the Coronation Cup over 1m 4f at Newmarket in June.

He finished ahead of Stradivarius, the world’s top stayer, in that race, so Melbourne Cup handicapper Greg Carpenter had no hesitation in assigning Anthony Van Dyck a top weight of 58.5kg for both the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup.

That heavy load might thwart his chances of success of the longer distance, but he will certainly be in contention.

Exciting Prospects

Santiago won the Irish Derby with a tremendous performance in June. He was then third in the Goodwood Cup and fourth in the St. Leger at Doncaster. Aidan O’Brien clearly thinks he has what it takes to thrive over 3200m in the Melbourne Cup, and he will carry a more modest 53.5kg in the race.

That puts him in the same tier as homegrown hero Russian Camelot, winner of the SA Derby in May, who is currently the antepost favourite for the race. Check out Punters for all the latest news as the race draws closer.

The lightly raced Tiger Moth also looks like an exciting prospect. He finished just a head behind stablemate Santiago in the Irish Derby, and then picked up a dominant victory in the Group 3 Kilternan Stakes in September. Carpenter hit Tiger Moth with a 2.5kg penalty for that victory, meaning he will now carry 52.5kg in the Melbourne Cup, and he could end up vanquishing his vaunted opponents.

If he succeeds, Tiger Moth would become the least experienced Melbourne Cup winner in 140 years, having raced just four times. However, northern hemisphere three-year-olds like Rekindling and 2018 winner Cross Counter have thrived at the Cup in recent times.

Can Master Of Reality Conquer Melbourne?

Jospeh O’Brien is expected to have two runners in the Melbourne Cup: Twilight Payment and Master Of Reality. They were first and second in the Group 2 Curragh Cup over 1m 6f (2816m) in July, and they should both relish a longer trip in the Melbourne Cup.

Twilight Payment has also won the Group 3 Vintage Crop Stakes this year, while he finished third in the Irish St. Leger, both over an identical distance. He has been assigned a weight of 55.5kg, and Master Of Reality was given 56kg.

Master Of Reality finished second in last year’s Melbourne Cup, but he was demoted to fourth after a stewards’ inquiry. Jockey Frankie Detorri was also handed an eight-day ban after Master Of Reality was adjudged to have impeded Aidan O’Brien’s Il Paradiso, who was bumped up to third. Master Of Reality’s form has been uninspiring since then, but he did win a Listed race over 1m 6f at Down Royal at the start of September.

Mullins is better known for his dominance over the jumps racing scene, but he has two possible runners in the Melbourne Cup. Stratum was runner-up in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at York on August 21, while True Self won the VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington last year. They have been handicapped on 55kg and 52kg respectively for the Cup.

There are plenty of Australian stars to contend with include Russian Camelot, the impressive Surprise Baby and talented mare Verry Elleegant, but there is definitely a strong chance of an Irish raider clinching a famous win in the 2020 Melbourne Cup.

Top 5 Defenders in Gaelic Football

The role of the defender has changed over the years in Gaelic football with more emphasis placed on the player’s ability with the ball, and what they can do moving forward from their defensive positions over the more ‘old fashioned’ skills of just trying to stop your man from scoring.

This is still important and the five players below characterise all these traits to their finest.

 

Lee Keegan (Mayo)

The Mayo man would have serious competition for the number 1 slot on this list but for the fact that Dublin stalwart Jack McCaffrey has stepped away from the Dublin panel for this year’s Championship. 

The Westport man, a winner of four All Stars made his name as a rampaging,attacking half back on the Mayo sides that came so close to All Ireland glory under James Horan and Stephen Rochford. 

The 30 year old is equally effective being used as a designated man marker in his team’s defensive structure though, testament to just how good the former Footballer of the Year really is.

 

Ryan McHugh (Donegal)

The Kilcar man may be diminutive in stature but his skill on the field and importance to Donegal more than make up for this.

The three time Ulster Championship winner is now one of the most prominent members of Declan Bonner’ s team along with Michael Murphy and his understanding with the Donegal captain is vital to his county’s attacking game plan.

Though often deployed as a half back, Mchugh is more than capable of changing a game in his county’s favour with a score or a quick change of pace, and will no doubt be an integral part of his manager’s plans to bring Sam Maguire back to Donegal for the first time since 2012.

Michael Fitzsimons (Dublin)

The Dublin defender may be from the hurling stronghold of Cuala but it is most definitely on the football pitch for the Dubs that the 31 year old has made his name. 

Since his debut in 2010 Fitzsimons has clocked up seven All Ireland’s as Dublin took control of the inter county scene, and Fitzsimons has played a major role in many of those successes.

His ability to marshal his defence and his direct opponent mark him out as a cut above many of his fellow defenders, while his positional sense and tackling mean that no forward is ever going to have an enjoyable day if they see Fitzsimons lining up against them at the beginning of a match.

Donal Keogan (Meath)

Meath may no longer dine at the top table of the football championship but in their star defender Keogan they have a player worthy of his place on this list. 

The swashbuckling defender spent much of his early Meath career playing the part of the man marker, designated to the oppositions star forward, which resulted in his natural game being stifled.

These days though fans are used to the half back marauding up the field, consistently aiding his attacking colleagues, adding another layer to the Meath attack. This form saw the Rathkenny man justifiably nominated for an all star in 2019, form Meath fans will hope can continue when the 2020 All Ireland Championship finally gets underway.

 

Patrick Durcan (Mayo)

The second Mayo defender to make the list, but just as deserving of his place among the top defenders in the country, Durcan has developed into one of the finest half backs in Ireland. 

Since his debut for the Mayo team the Castlebar man has proven to be a man for the big occasion as his performances in Mayo’s run to the semi final in 2019 and the All Ireland final in 2017 highlight.

His attacking instincts coupled with his defensive skills make him a nightmare for opposition forwards when they face Mayo, as he not only has the ability to nullify the attacking player , but also turn them and make them go back towards their own goal trying to stop him.

 

 

Top 5 Midfielders in Gaelic Football

Midfield for any Gaelic football team is a vital area of the pitch, and having top quality players in the midfield positions is instrumental to any team’s chances of success. Here we take a look at the top 5 midfielders in Gaelic football

  1. Brian Fenton (Dublin)

Without doubt the finest midfielder in the land. The measure of the Raheny man’s greatness is the fact that he is already in the discussion as the greatest midfielder to ever play Gaelic football by the age of 27. 

He is the driving force behind the greatest team to ever play the game and has won an All Ireland every year of his senior inter county career so far.

Fenton has proved almost unstoppable from his midfield position over recent years, with his now trademark runs from deep resulting in numerous goals for him and his team.

The towering midfielder has won man of the match awards in All Ireland finals, and was named footballer of the year in 2018, an award he will no doubt win again in the future. 

2. James McCarthy (Dublin)

A Rolls Royce of a footballer.

The Ballymun man could easily have made the defenders list such is his versatility but its at midfield where McCarthy truly shines in a Dublin jersey. A three time all star, he, like so many great players in any sport comes alive when it matters most.

A tremendous athlete as well as a supremely talented footballer, McCarthy is often overlooked when compared with the other superstars of the Dublin team, but it is very often McCarthy that is the catalyst of the Dubs greatest performances.  

 

3. Michael Murphy ( Donegal )

The subject of so much debate, what is Michael Murphy’s best position.

He is named in our midfield list but could quite easily make the forwards list, such is the ability the Glenswilly man possesses.

It is at midfield though that Murphy has his greatest overall influence on his team these days. Here, accompanied by the lung bursting runs of Ryan McHugh he can feed the inside threat of players like Paddy McBrearty and Jamie Brennan.

These pacy inside forwards allow Murphy to be the conductor of the Donegal orchestra from a deeper position, and not be viewed as their only attacking threat, as he has been for many years. 

This midfield position also allows Murphy the luxury of using his football intelligence to ghost into score taking positions from out the field, while also dropping deeper to provide a screen in front of his defence.  

 

4. Aidan O’ Shea ( Mayo )

The heartbeat of the Mayo sides under James Horan and Stephen Rochford that came so close to finally ending their county’s long wait for an All Ireland triumph, Aidan O’ Shea is one of the most recognised names in Gaelic football and well worth his spot as one of the top 5 midfielders in gaelic football.

The powerhouse from Breaffy can cause havoc around the field with his strength and skill when he is at his best, and has even done a stint at full back to quell Kieran Donaghy’s influence in the 2017 All Ireland semi final. 

At midfield is where the 30 year old has only a select number of rivals though, especially in the air, where his ability to field a high ball can be challenged by very few in the game today. O’ Shea’s ability to break tackles from midfield, and attract defenders through his sheer physical strength also make him so important to the way Mayo play.  


Entrusted with the captaincy by Horan, O’ Shea will look to be the leader that can take Mayo to the promised land in this fragmented 2020 season.  

 

5. David Moran ( Kerry )

Kerins O’ Rahilly’s clubman Moran is fundamental to any hopes Kerry have of catching Dublin.  

The Kingdom are building a youthful and exciting team under Peter Keane, but the key component to any hopes they may have of silverware remains midfielder Moran.  

A brilliant fielder in midfield Moran is also an extremely skilful footballer, and he is vital to the way Kerry move the ball forward from their defence. 

At his best when he is sitting in front of his defenders initiating attacking moves, Kerry fans will be hoping for a big championship from their star midfielder when inter county football resumes in October. 

 

 

 

 

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