Retiring GAA Stars tribute thread - May cause brain/neck damage

The Suir flows through Thurles

He brought some razzmatazz to the big occasions.

Gold helmet/white boots/fist pumping/tattooed arms - he had it all.

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He’s already setup in that pheasant enclosure in the middle of the river in Thurles

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:rofl::clap:

Actually him being moved from full back was after a difficult afternoon from Aisake O hAlpin iirc

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Nobody could question Aiseke after that performance according to a spoofer on here at the time

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The problem with Paudie at full-back initially is that, because he was so good in the air, he felt he had to catch everything. And you can do that at wing-back. But if you go up in a one-on-one at full-back and your opposition catches it, it’s probably a goal. And Aisake wasn’t much of a hurler but he was good in the air. He just needed to bat the ball away.

He did have some good days at full-back but he was always better at wing-back. Dominant under a high ball, great strength, good at driving out with the ball. Possibly exposed for pace a little in his latter years but still.

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That was a day nothing went right for him, a lesser players confidence would have been destroyed at that stage of their early IC career.

It’s a testament to the man that he shrugged it off and went on to have an outstanding season.

He was sensational against Shefflin in 2009 All Ireland final at full back. Cody did as he usually did and put his most experienced talisman in Shefflin on the young rookie but Maher cleaned him. Interestingly TJ Reid and Michael Fennelly were only subs that day which is some indicator of the level of talent and depth they had back then. Anyway after the heartbreaking nature of that loss the few crumbs of comfort Tipp supporters left with that day were that they were safe in the knowledge that Tipp were set for the next decade with Maher.

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That’s it exactly… Limerick lads loved to hate him but it was a measure of his quality. Even tho he was a great man to exaggerate contact at times :stuck_out_tongue:

Some shoulder on Joe that time… Harry will fire it up there.

He was in decline that last couple of years but having to stop playing entirely is cruel.

A real shame for him he had to bow out like this and not on his own terms. A brilliant player for Tipp all these years and a brilliant play for hurling in general. A real standard bearer.

He’s a sound fella as well, a quiet man.

Some shock to him to have to pack in the hurling completely I’d say. In the twilight of his career alright but I’d say he was looking forward to a good few years ahead with the club yet. Has given and taken some big hits down the years. They all add up as you get older.

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He’s just figuring out how to work the river in Thurles into the shot.

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I had been told this was the case when the news originally broke that he was done. I believe he was given some time to reflect on things.

I’d say there won’t be a cow milked in Tipp tonight.

Who’s this lad?

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