Is there any point in even having a vote for Ulster's greatest half backs of the professional era? With Paddy Wallace picked at 12 any lingering chance David Humphreys would not claim the 10 shirt is surely quashed.
At 9, despite John Cooney’s recent heroics, Ruan Pienaar is, almost to the same extent as Humphreys, a certainty. However, in the interest of fairness we may as well list the contenders.
With due respect to Ian Humphreys, Niall O’Connor and Billy Burns, the only out-half other than Humphreys senior to command the jersey was Paddy Jackson.
RTÉ selection: David Humphreys
Scrum-half is a little more complicated. Andy Matchett was a European Cup winner, Neil Doak and Paul Marshall had their days but Isaac Boss and John Cooney provide the real competition to Pienaar.
Cooney is potentially on the way to becoming the same sort of talisman to the Ravenhill faithful that Pienaar was. His similar penchant for clutch goal kicking provides another obvious reference point.
In reality though you’re comparing an international novice to a proven world class performer, with World Cup winners medals at under-19, 21 and senior level. Enough said.
RTÉ Selection: Ruan Pienaar
