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. 

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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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1. 1. Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)

There can only be one man at the top of this list.

The Dublin legend has revolutionised the position of a gaelic football goalkeeper and paved the way for the rest of the men on this list.

His short kickouts have changed the game, and his ability to find a teammate from a restart is just about unrivalled. His shot-stopping isn’t bad either.

2. 2. Rory Beggan (Monaghan)

The Monaghan No 1 has been consistently one of the best goalkepers in Ireland over the last decade.

His ability to kick points from long range frees is matched by very few players anywhere in the country, while his ability to distribute the ball accurately will prove even more important to his county this year with the new rules banning a pass-back to a goalkeeper from a kickout.

3. 3. Niall Morgan (Tyrone)

The Tyrone goalkeeper is not only a top class shot-stopper and long range free-taker, but he also acts as a quarter back type figure for his team now.

His ability to get involved and impact general play within Mickey Harte’s team has seen him come to the fore in recent years, and he also manages to aid his team with scores from play when the opportunity presents itself.

4. 4. Shaun Patton (Donegal)

The Donegal No 1 has emerged as one of the best keepers in Ireland since he joined Declan Bonner’s panel in 2018.

A former league of Ireland goalkeeper, Patton’s ability to find a teammate with his extremely accurate and lengthy kick-outs have added a new dimension to the Donegal game-plan as they continue to evolve under Bonner and former Mayo boss Stephen Rochford.

5. 5. Graham Brody (Laois)

Another fine exponent of the modern style gaelic football goalkeeper is Laois No 1 Graham Brody.

The Portlaoise native is probably more well known to people around Ireland for his regular forays up the field in support of his outfield teammates, than he is for producing top quality saves, but make no mistake the Laois keeper is more than capable in that department also, as he has proved time and time again for the O’ Moore county. 

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