John Divilly: Ultimate professional Cluxton a joy to watch
Both have picked up numerous other titles through their careers, but it was fitting yesterday both veterans were on top of their game. There are still a few doubters out there that debate whether Stephen Cluxton is the greatest goalkeeper in GAA history. To me he is. He is a joy to watch commanding his troops, sweeping in front of his full backs, taking quick restarts or pinging his long kick-outs into the arms of his AIG men.
He takes absolutely no crap from opposing attackers and doesn’t mind taking the occasional ticking off from the referee just to reinforce that he is the boss of his square. However, I still can’t understand why opposing teams allow him to take his kick-outs so quickly. Everyone knows he will restart short and quickly if allowed. And like a top archer he will strike the ball like an arrow into the red zone every time. Kildare pushed occasionally yesterday and showed what can happen. In the first half, Cian O’Sullivan was penalised for over-carrying after receiving a short restart. Cathal McNally punished the error. When Kildare forced Cluxton to kick 50-50 long balls, Kevin Feeley normally came out on top.
