"We're all trying to retire players."
On The Sunday Game, a discussion broke out about the brilliance of Conor McManus who at the age of 35, lit up the championship once again with an excellent cameo against Armagh in the All-Ireland quarter-final and a superb showing against Dublin in the semi-final.
It followed on from the fanfare surrounding Dublin trio Stephen Cluxton (41), Michael Fitzsimons (34) and James McCarthy (33) as they became the first players to ever claim nine All-Ireland men’s titles after Sunday's win over Kerry.
In the immediate aftermath, the R word was thrown at them, as it will be for countless players across the country as the dark nights draw in and another bout of pre-season edges ever closer.
For RTÉ GAA analysts Sean Cavanagh and Cora Staunton, it brings with it a bit of frustration with the pair pointing to McManus as the perfect example of why we maybe shouldn't be so quick to point players towards the exit gate.
"This man defied all the odds. As the season went on he got stronger," said Cavanagh.
"In the GAA, every time someone has a bad game over the age of 30 we’re writing them off to say they’re done. This man stood up.
"He’s coming on 36, but why should he retire? His body’s as strong and he’s still leading the line for that Monaghan team. It’s incredible," he added.
"I think once you reach the age of 30 in the GAA world, we’re all trying to retire players," Staunton opined.
The Mayo legend, who only called time on her AFLW career with the GWS Giants in March, was sitting between Cavanagh, who has recently started to line out for the Tyrone masters, and Lee Keegan – a man Mayo fans would love to see back in the panel.
The conversation was a reminder that players are no longer done for once the 30th birthday arrives, and here's a team made up of players that age and above who caught the eye in 2023. Note, it excludes those who had that special birthday midway through the championship, such as Paul Mannion.
Age, as they say, is just a number...
Stephen Cluxton
(Dublin)
As he doesn’t do interviews, two seasons away from the scene seemed to be confirmation of Cluxton's retirement. That was until he nonchalantly jogged out for the warm-up ahead of a Division 2 clash against Louth, aged 41, back in March. Eventually displaced David O’Hanlon and played a major role in Dublin’s All-Ireland success, managing to get away 23 restarts from 23 against Kerry in the final.
Aidan Forker
(Armagh)
The 31-year-old enjoyed one of his best seasons in orange and would have been in genuine All-Star territory if Armagh had won their penalty shoot-out with Monaghan, but will likely have to make-do with a nomination instead. Was given a bit more freedom from his man-marking duties as the season progressed, kicking some exquisite scores and showing his range of kick-passing. Won Player of the Match despite losing out to the Oriel County.
Chrissy McKaigue
(Derry)
Won his first All-Star at the age of 33 last year, and will be in the running for one at 34 this time around too albeit as an outsider. Wasn’t a flawless season with Donegal forward Oisin Gallen giving him a torrid time in the All-Ireland group stage while David Clifford showed his class as Kerry edged their semi-final, but overall he was his usual brilliant self with leadership pouring out of him.
Michael Fitzsimons
(Dublin)
The 34-year-old is nailed on for a fourth All-Star and with it the reputation of being one of the best corner-backs of the modern era. In the last two games of the season he took on Conor McManus and David Clifford and enjoyed incredible battles with them. Monaghan’s McManus was outstanding, but the Cuala man still caught the eye. Did more so in the final against Kerry’s ace, although a lot of that may have been down to Clifford’s eye not being in. Fitzsimons still made it massively uncomfortable for him.
Karl O’Connell
(Monaghan)
It seems like an All-Star gong will come down to who the selectors prefer, O’Connell or his Monaghan team-mate Conor McCarthy. Go back a few weeks though and the Tyholland man looked nailed on as, despite being 35, his powerful running caused real problems for every team he came up against. It says something that Dublin clearly planned heavily to curb his influence in their hard-fought semi-final, Paddy Small being tasked with disrupting his breaks.
James McCarthy
(Dublin)
James McCarthy was named The Sunday Game’s Player of the Year while the pundits on Sunday Sport couldn’t be split between the Dubliner and David Clifford. Hadn’t his best match against Kerry, but his second-half performance against Mayo was one of the strongest 35 minutes he has played in blue. Captain as he claimed a ninth Celtic Cross, incredible from the 33-year-old.
Donal Keogan
(Meath)
Keogan turned 32 10 days before Meath’s 2023 championship opener and it turned out to be one of the longer campaigns of recent times for the Royal County as they went all the way to Tailteann Cup glory. That victory over Down was his 153rd appearance for his county and his on-field intelligence is as important as it has ever been, the player reading the game expertly and picking his moments when to break forward.
Paul Conroy
(Galway)
The big St James’ man turned 34 in the middle of the season but he’s still producing the goods for the Tribe County. Some stellar performances in 2023, most notably in the hard-fought win over Tyrone in the All-Ireland group stage. Scored in three of Galway’s four All-Ireland games this season.
Brian Fenton
(Dublin)
Another of Dublin’s over 30 players, although not by much, and perhaps a player who can come along the rails to challenge James McCarthy and David Clifford for the Player of the Year gong. It’s been remarked that he has never looked as riled up as he has this year, getting involved physically in skirmishes that are not usually his forte. Took the game by the scruff of the neck when Monaghan were really pushing in the semi-final and followed it up with an excellent showing against Kerry.
Ciarán Murtagh
(Roscommon)
Another player on the list to reach the 100 club this season having done so in a league win over Armagh in February. Was crucial to the Rossies' brilliant start to their Division 1 campaign, coming off the bench to hit 1-01 in the round one win over Tyrone and grabbing a bigscore in the one-point win over Galway. Scored in six of their seven league games and hit a brilliant 1-06 in their Connacht semi-final loss to the Tribe County.
Conor McManus
(Monaghan)
The buzz from Monaghan fans – and groan from Armagh fans – when he prepared to come on in the All-Ireland quarter-final spoke volumes. At 35, he started by bailing a brilliant free and went on to win – and convert – the free that forced penalties. There he scored two clinkers. A surprise starter against Dublin the next day, he repaid the faith with an absolutely incredible performance.
Mattie Donnelly
(Tyrone)
When Mattie Donnelly suffered a very serious hamstring injury while on club duty in late 2019, there was a feeling that it could spell the end of his Red Hand career. However, he rehabbed in the meticulous way he is known for and at 32, he was one of Tyrone’s top players this year in what was ultimately an underwhelming season. So smart on the ball, still has a great engine, brilliant work-rate and, of course, can take a score.
Nigel Dunne
(Offaly)
Brought back to the county fold by the late Liam Kearns and at 33, still has obviously plenty to give. Was brilliant in the famous Leinster win over Meath and nearly helped them to a Leinster final spot only to be nabbed by Louth in extra-time. Scored 0-03 in all four Faithful Tailteann Cup games.
Aidan O'Shea
(Mayo)
His season may have petered out a bit, but for much of 2023 he looked like a player reborn under Kevin McStay as he caused mayhem on opposing squares. He’s 33 now, but he still is so physically imposing and in the league very few found a way to quell his influence.
Andrew Murnin
(Armagh)
Finally had a free run of injuries over the last two seasons and has been absolutely superb for Armagh, especially this season. Their best player this season, with a poor showing in the Ulster final the only black mark. A real fans' favourite, he is an unorthodox inside forward who is so good in the air and chipped in with a few scores most games.
Watch the All-Ireland Camogie Championship finals on Sunday from 12.40pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, including the senior final of Cork v Waterford (5pm), follow a live blog on RTE.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live updates on RTÉ Radio 1
