CLUXTON’S RESERVE IS EVAN SENT
EVAN COMERFORD is at a level where he could challenge Stephen Cluxton for a starting place in Dessie Farrell’s side.
That’s according to Dublin goalkeeping legend John O’leary who has been very impressed by Comerford with Cluxton’s shoulder injury keeping him out of the side. And because of the Dublin captain’s imminent recovery period, Comerford – who has been the Parnells’ clubman’s understudy since 2017 – is also set to wear the No.1 jersey for his county’s three remaining League clashes. Balbriggan man O’leary (inset), who was Dublin’s firstchoice goalkeeper from 1980 to 1997, said: “Evan Comerford has certainly done very well in the four League games so far, and I suppose he has particularly excelled in the last two games against Monaghan and Donegal.
“Against Monaghan, he really kept Dublin in the game when they looked on the ropes because of Monaghan’s big lead, and then against Donegal he made two super saves, one in each half.
“As well as boosting his own confidence and morale, the quality of Evan’s performances will have had the very positive and beneficial effect of letting the Dublin backs know that they have a very capable goalkeeper behind them,” added the five-time All-star and two-time All-ireland medalist.
O’leary added: “As well as his undoubted ability at preventing goals, the fact Evan has been part of the Dublin set-up for the last three years or so is a big plus for him.
“That has given him an opportunity to learn his trade and so he knows how the whole thing operates and what the level of expectation of the players is from the team-management.
“He might well now possess the drive and the ambition to provide a serious challenge to Stephen for a starting place on the team in this year’s Championship rather than be content to remain as an understudy.
“Evan would be justified in thinking along those lines, and either way it’s a tremendous boost for Dublin to have two such top-class goalkeepers to pick from for this year’s Championship.”