The unsung heroes deserve the mic for once.
Let them sing. Let the boys sing.
In all the talk of All-Stars – and who missed out on All-Stars – and in all the fawning and appreciation over the best players in the country dominating the club scene, there are some men left out of all that.
These men might not be the headline-makers, they’re certainly not the game-winners, but you’d soon know all about it if you didn’t have them.
All the work they do – sometimes the unseen work, sometimes the less attractive or underappreciated work – amounts to a machine operation that would hiccup and spew without them.
When they’re called underrated, it isn’t patronising or a token recognition. It’s that they’re not given the credit they deserve. They’re not rated as highly as they should be and they should be thought of as right up there.
Here are the best of them right now.
The most underrated players in Ireland
Let’s go through them.
1. Blaine Hughes (Armagh)
In all the talk of kickouts, this man has produced some of the best in the country. He gave a masterclass against Kildare in Croke Park and he landed the ball on top of sixpences around Semple Stadium too. Had a stunning year but didn’t get nearly enough plaudits.
2. Eoghan Kerin (Galway)
The Galway full back line took no end of grief this season but Kerin was there in the corner minding his own business, keeping everything tidy, shutting everyone up. Did a job on James O’Donoghue too.
3. Padraig Hampsey (Tyrone)
He certainly didn’t go unnoticed because he scored two whilst man-marking Michael Murphy but Hampsey is the man who allows the rest of Tyrone to stream forward. He’s used to shut down opposition danger men and he’s proving that he can do that well.
4. Mickey Burke (Meath)
You talk to any of his old conquests and they all have a good word to say about him – that they don’t like being in the same vicinity as him.
5. Karl O’Connell (Monaghan)
Deservedly called up by Joe Kernan to the International Rules squad this year. An unreal engine, serious pace, serious skill, and a serious, direct eye for the danger area.
6. Robbie Kiely (Tipperary)
He was so good during their run to the semis last year and, this season, he was the brains of the operation. He can drive forward, he can pick passes, he can sweep so well it’d break your heart. Whilst Quinlivan and Sweeney rightly steal the hearts and minds of the nation, Kiely had to be man-marked against Armagh, from centre back.
7. John Small (Dublin)
It’s all relative and, in a three-in-a-row winning All-Ireland team, John Small is the unsung hero. When Jack McCaffrey left after winning Footballer of the Year, it was him who stepped up. When James McCarthy moved to midfield, it was him who made it seamless. He’s a bull, a warrior and he can kick a score like the beauty he got in the final. Doesn’t make many headlines though.
8. Danny Heavron (Derry)
Propelled himself in the Derry ranks from being a trustworthy sweeper to being a leader of the pack who has played at midfield, half forward and full forward since.
9. Martin McElhinney (Donegal)
Everything he does seems to be the right thing. Every time he plays, he seems to score, he seems to produce a moment of real quality and he goes through a shift like no-one else. Does it all with his head down.
10. Keith Cribbin (Kildare)
Can play half back, can play midfield, can play anywhere in the engine room. Probably has the most momentum in Ireland when he gets going. He is frightening to watch in full flow.
11. Jason Doherty (Mayo)
Changed Mayo’s fortunes. Became the outlet on the 45′, became the service to Moran and O’Connor. Wins dirty ball, makes big hits and runs himself and his marker into the ground.
12. Donnchadh Walsh (Kerry)
He’s not really underrated anymore because everyone in the country thinks he’s underrated but he is the poster boy for underrated players with what he offers all over the pitch and how he delivers consistently.
13. Jamie Malone (Clare)
Pace, sharpness, accuracy, pace. Runs riot for Clare – if he was doing it later in the championship rounds, he’d be a hero to the whole island.
14. Paul Broderick (Carlow)
Finishes most seasons as one of the highest average scorers. Hit 1-30 in five games last summer.
15. Tomás Corrigan (Fermanagh)
A gem. A proper footballer who never goes missing.
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