Who was the better footballer in their first year with Armagh?

Who would you rather have on your team?

  • Total voters
    29
  • Poll closed .
B

bcb1

Well-Known Member
Ah would ye quit....Ronan Clarke was a single cog in a forward unit that was the best this county ever had and as a result had better players playing round him. Rian is playing in a team which is nowhere close to that team so you cannot compare. Let's just be grateful that we have such talented footballers and cut the comparison crap....
 
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Eireogatron

Well-Known Member
I think Clarke perhaps shades it (just), he had a better team around him to be fair but he also stood out in that team. Took Seamus Moynihan to the cleaners at 19 years of age, unbelievable. Clarke also had the benefit of a year on the panel in 2001 before the breakthrough which certainly helped.

Dont see any reason why O'Neill cant hit Clarkes level in years to come, outstanding potential
 
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Armagh_paul

Armagh_paul

Well-Known Member
Ronan Clarke was surrounded my seasoned players Marsden, McDonell, McConville etc. He came in and he played like a seasoned player himself in his first season.

I don't know about Rian yet. He has his moments against Mayo but need to see more of him.
 
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DooReg

Active Member
Without doubt Clarke - but look at the players around him. Oppositions were more concerned about Oisin, Stevie and Marsden and he had the freedom to play - but, honestly, if Rian's head stays firmly on his shoulders I think he will become the best ever Armagh player. He has a way to go but he has serious potential - needs to mature a bit and take better options. The brother isn't far behind him mind you - some say he's even better. All i know is that they are Armagh men and we will have the joy to watch them rip defences apart over the next 10 years or so.

One thing - does Rian naturally roam for us or was he told to roam out to the middle.? I couldn't understand him coming out when he obviously was destroying their full back in the opening 10 minutes.. Sorry -off thread!
 
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DooReg

Active Member
Armagh_paul said:
Ronan Clarke was surrounded my seasoned players Marsden, McDonell, McConville etc. He came in and he played like a seasoned player himself in his first season.

I don't know about Rian yet. He has his moments against Mayo but need to see more of him.
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Sure you #can'tseeme
 
pablo

pablo

Well-Known Member
DooReg said:
Without doubt Clarke - but look at the players around him. Oppositions were more concerned about Oisin, Stevie and Marsden and he had the freedom to play - but, honestly, if Rian's head stays firmly on his shoulders I think he will become the best ever Armagh player. He has a way to go but he has serious potential - needs to mature a bit and take better options. The brother isn't far behind him mind you - some say he's even better. All i know is that they are Armagh men and we will have the joy to watch them rip defences apart over the next 10 years or so.

One thing - does Rian naturally roam for us or was he told to roam out to the middle.? I couldn't understand him coming out when he obviously was destroying their full back in the opening 10 minutes.. Sorry -off thread!
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Rian gave Harrison a torrid time in the opening few minutes. Mayo then put Lee Keegan on him , otherwise they were bolloxed. Rian then started to come out more to find space
 
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Dylan53

Member
Different situations. Clarke has the luxury of lining up next to McConville, McDonnell, Marsden, and McEntee. Rian was asked to essentially be the main man right away this year.

In regards to Rian drifting up the field, I think it's clear that he's more comfortable at 11 than he is 14. With a fit Murnin next year at full forward, that's where they should play him
 
pablo

pablo

Well-Known Member
Dylan53 said:
Different situations. Clarke has the luxury of lining up next to McConville, McDonnell, Marsden, and McEntee. Rian was asked to essentially be the main man right away this year.

In regards to Rian drifting up the field, I think it's clear that he's more comfortable at 11 than he is 14. With a fit Murnin next year at full forward, that's where they should play him
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Murnin-fit? We are only getting about three games out of him on average per year. A real pity. When on form, he can really make things happen and I always thought his presence at 14 really adds to the potency of that forward division.
 
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Eireogatron

Well-Known Member
DooReg said:
Without doubt Clarke - but look at the players around him. Oppositions were more concerned about Oisin, Stevie and Marsden and he had the freedom to play - but, honestly, if Rian's head stays firmly on his shoulders I think he will become the best ever Armagh player. He has a way to go but he has serious potential - needs to mature a bit and take better options. The brother isn't far behind him mind you - some say he's even better. All i know is that they are Armagh men and we will have the joy to watch them rip defences apart over the next 10 years or so.

One thing - does Rian naturally roam for us or was he told to roam out to the middle.? I couldn't understand him coming out when he obviously was destroying their full back in the opening 10 minutes.. Sorry -off thread!
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He must be told to do it at certain sections of the game. His ball for grugan on Saturday and also murnins goal Vs down looked if not rehearsed, definitely worked on at some stage
 
ShiftYa

ShiftYa

Well-Known Member
A lot saying Rian hasn’t had the same players around him and this is true but Clarke, Soupy, Grugan aren’t the worse supporting cast to have around you.
 
D

Dylan53

Member
pablo said:
Murnin-fit? We are only getting about three games out of him on average per year. A real pity. When on form, he can really make things happen and I always thought his presence at 14 really adds to the potency of that forward division.
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You're not wrong, and it shows how important it is to keep Jamie and Campbell committed for another year or two until some younger options develop. Without that forward line this is a Division 3 team
 
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DooReg

Active Member
Dylan53 said:
Different situations. Clarke has the luxury of lining up next to McConville, McDonnell, Marsden, and McEntee. Rian was asked to essentially be the main man right away this year.

In regards to Rian drifting up the field, I think it's clear that he's more comfortable at 11 than he is 14. With a fit Murnin next year at full forward, that's where they should play him
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Murnin not overly bad either. Heard he’s just a few weeks away from returning for club. The man never gets a break. Must be very frustrating for him.
 
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