Ok, let’s talk about who is the greatest hurler of all time! I’ve been hearing a lot lately, much to my annoyance and mostly from inept hurling fans, that DJ Carey is the greatest hurler of all time…even better than Ringer! So, I decided that it was time to set the record straight because, as many knowledgeable hurling patrons will know, DJ Carey is not fit to clean Christy Ring’s boots! Ok, that might be a tad melodramatic, but no more than the original statement of DJ being greater than Christy.
With an average of ten points per match, a record that he set in 1959, it is unquestionable that Christy Ring is Ireland’s greatest ever hurler. The man who played his hurling with his native Cloyne before moving to his beloved Glen Rovers, made his first appearance in the Cork jersey in 1939. Ringer was the God of Hurling, a title which he earned after he produced many moments of magic on the pitch during his impressive 24 year career. In many Munster Finals he single handily defeated Cork’s opposition, his solo run in the 1944 Final being evidence of this. In 1951 he proved he could perform in midfield as well as up front, while in 1956 he managed to net a total of three goals in four minutes against a strong Limerick side. Now that is just a taste of the outstanding feats that Ringy, or Ringer, which ever you prefer, aspired to. I racked my brain, searched the net and devoured books in an attempt to find one feat that DJ Carey produced that can match any one of Ringer’s. In fact, there are entire sections in books on the masterpieces that Christy Ring produced with the hurl in his hand, while DJ Carey is really lacking in anything that defines “greatness” at all.
Sure DJ is a marvellous hurler, but you can’t help but question the valid ness of his greatness when he has time and again failed to deliver when faced with worthy opposition. It’s all well and good to double on sliotars and send them into the back of the net when your opponents on All-Ireland final day are a dwindling Clare side, but when DJ has been called upon to do the business against a strong side, he has certainly failed to impress me! I have seen DJ play against Cork on several occasions, and being totally honest, he is yet to impress! Even on his own team, in the form of Henry Shefflin, I find a player that has already surpassed DJ’s standard and Shefflin is still young!
Players have been made famous by suppressing Ringy for a match, why Art Foley was made infamous in Wexford hurling circles for his save that denied Ring his ninth All-Ireland medal. How many players will be remembered for having the beating of DJ?
One doesn’t even have to look as far as Ringer to find a hurler whose talent derides that of Carey’s. I have already mentioned his own team mate Henry Shefflin, but there are also the other legends of the game, namely Eddie Keher, Mick Mackey, Ger Henderson, and from our own mists, Jack Lynch, Ray Cummins, Jimmy Barry Murphy, Seanie O’Leary and Gerald McCarthy…the list could well be endless!
There is no doubt that DJ is a fine player, but the statistics cannot be argued with, the stories cannot the be denied, you ask your grandfather who was better, DJ or Ringy, and he’ll probably laugh at you before giving you a clap across the back of the head.
When you’ve got eight All-Ireland hurling medals to your name, and when you can raise the green flag four out of five times from 25 yards out, there is no questioning that few come close to your title of the greatest hurler that the world has ever seen!
If anyone disagrees with me feel free to post your views on the site forum and raise the debate! You can also eMail me at rebel14@eircom.net.
Corcaigh Abú!
Rebel14
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