He usually played as a corner forward. He was renowned for his speed,[1][2] "electrifying skills", turn of foot and accuracy in front of the posts with both feet.[2] He "tore defences apart with his pace and scoring power"[2] and "took the best back lines to the cleaners".[3] Linden is among the top twenty all-time top Ulster scorers in Championship football. His understanding with Down play-maker Greg Blaney has been described as "near telepathic".[3]
Linden is known as one of the Down's best ever footballers.[2] In 2009 The Irish News named him as one of the all-time best 125 footballers from Ulster, to mark the 125th anniversary of the Gaelic Athletic Association.[3]
Personal life
Linden is from Mayobridge, County Down. He lives with his wife Louisa and his three sons, Cormac, John and Micheál.
In 1991 he won his first Ulster Championship medal,[3] with Down beating Donegal in the decider. Down defeated Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final, before beating Meath in the All-Ireland final. The success was Down's first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title since 1968.[3]
Linden won a second Ulster Championship medal with Down in 1994 - overcoming Tyrone comfortably in the decider.[4] Victories over Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final and Dublin in the final gave Linden another All-Ireland Senior medal. For his performances that year he received an All Star award and named Texaco Footballer of the Year.[3]
Linden reached further Ulster finals with Down in 1996, 1999 and 2003. He retired from inter-county football in 2003.[citation needed]
Honours
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In May 2020, the Irish Independent named Linden as one of the "dozens of brilliant players" who narrowly missed selection for its "Top 20 footballers in Ireland over the past 50 years".[5]
Athletics
In 2009 Linden joined Dunleer Athletics Club,[1] at the behest of former Tyrone footballer Patsy Forbes.[1] Later that year at the age of 46 and six years after retiring from inter-county football - Linden added to his All-Ireland medal haul.[1] In the 2009 Irish Over-45 Championships in Tullamore, Offaly he won two golds and a silver in the 45–50 category.[1] He was first in both the 100 metres and long jump and finished runner-up in the 200 metres.[1]
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