Several former inter-county footballers have criticised Joe Brolly's assertion that Derry's Shane McGuigan would not get into Dublin forward line.
McGuigan had a superb season for Derry, finishing as the championship's top scorer with 2-52, as the county retained its Ulster title and reached the All-Ireland semi-final. The Slaughtneil forward is expected to win his first All-Star later this year.
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"We would not have anything like the quality of the footballer that the Dubs have," 1993 Derry All-Ireland winner Brolly told the Irish Independent's Breaking Ball show last week.
"Not one of our forwards would make the Dublin forward line."
Shane McGuigan finishes top scorer with 2-52 in the 2023 Football Championship 👏 🇦🇹 pic.twitter.com/U1tqUVsFTI
— Derry GAA (@Doiregaa) July 31, 2023
Put to Brolly that McGuigan would get in, Brolly replied: "There are two reasons that he wouldn't. One, he can't run, and two he's one-footed.
"He's a very stylish left-footed kicker with that loop around on the outside kicking off his left foot or the wee dummy to come inside and kick off the left foot.
"He would not be able to hack it in that Dublin forward line. There's no way that Shane would make [that Dublin team].
"There's a huge media build up around Shane, and I have great time for the lad. He's a very good footballer."
Former Dublin footballer Philly McMahon said he did not think McGuigan would get in the Dublin full-forward line.
Eight-time Kerry All-Ireland winner Pat Spillane added: "People were suggesting only a couple of weeks ago that he's as good as David Clifford. Christ, he's not at that standard at all.
"He's not even in the top 10 forwards in Ireland. I looked at him in the semi-final, and yeah he had a great first half, but you know great players, when things are going against you, they come to the fore. In the second half against Kerry, he didn't even have one shot at goal."
27 May 2023; Shane McGuigan of Derry celebrates kicking a late point during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 1 match between Derry and Monaghan at Celtic Park in Derry. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Former Limerick footballer Pa Ranahan, said the discussion was "Exhibit A in showcasing the difference between entertainment as opposed to real analysis.
"Crazy stuff altogether but at same time not a bit surprising. And complete refusal to accept the strong argument [regarding] McGuigan. What more does he need to do."
Former Laois footballer Colm Parkinson called Brolly's analysis "comical"
"Joe's hard on for Dublin knows no bounds," he said.
"You should have asked him who is better Anthony Tohill or his pet MDMA (Michael Darragh MacAuley), really watch him squirm. McGuigan would walk onto the Dublin team - he might get the profile he deserves then."
Seanie Johnston, the former Cavan footballer, said McGuigan is "better and more dangerous than nearly every single Dublin forward" with possibly Con O'Callaghan "at his best" as an exception.
14 May 2023; Joe Brolly of the Derry 1998 Ulster Champions side during the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Final match between Armagh and Derry at St Tiernach’s Park in Clones, Monaghan. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
"People will throw work-rate around now, Shane McGuigan works as hard as any forward in Ireland, look at the way Derry play. He would also be their best free taker," Johnston continued.
Cian Mackey, another forward Cavan footballer, said Con O'Callaghan and Paul Mannion "are the only [two] players that are on par or ahead of McGuigan".
He added: "Ulster final the man was catching kick outs and kicking points from 50m out. This shouldn't even be a debate."
- "There's not way he would make it."
- "Ah, I think he'd be one of their best players."
Would Derry star Shane McGuigan make the Dublin forward line?
Joe Brolly doesn't think so. pic.twitter.com/Wtqr2G568S— Independent Sport (@IndoSport) August 2, 2023
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