NNY! POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
FINALS HAVE BEEN RIGHT HARD SLOGS
FINAL FROM CROKE PARK
JONNY COOPER has admitted that Dublin haven’t performed to their peak in past All-ireland finals.
The Dubs have won four of the last six All-irelands though edged three of those finals by a single point and only beat Kerry by three in 2015.
Optimists say it’s the sign of a great team, to win while playing in second gear, but Cooper can see why others have criticised them for poor final displays. Even boss Jim Gavin has acknowledged that they were well below par in both finals against Mayo last year and fell over the winning line.
Corner-back Cooper said: “We probably haven’t performed in a lot of the bigger games in previous years so that pressure is probably something which we have to perform better under.
“I find it quite intriguing and quite an interesting space to be in, that I can do a lot better than I have done in previous years, and maybe from a team point of view too.”
Still, another win today will convince many that Tyrone legend Sean Cavanagh (above) was right when he recently claimed Dublin can win eight out of the 10 All-ireland titles between 2011 and 2020.
Cooper said he personally feels the sky is the limit if he keeps applying himself.
He said: “I would argue that there is no ceiling there. We are obviously down the line a bit in terms of the last couple of years, and then you look at the guys coming onto the scene at the moment and the impetus they are having.
“But there probably isn’t any ceiling. I certainly wouldn’t look at it in that respect, that there’s a limit to be reached. It is a never-ending search for improvement.
“That’s the culture, that’s the identity and the values that myself and other people who have been there a few years are trying to spread.” ALL-IRELAND minor finalists Derry want to create their very own Seamus Darby moment today at Croke Park.
It’s 35 years since Offaly great Darby scored the late goal that famously denied Kerry a historic five-ina-row of senior titles.
The Kingdom minors are similarly bidding for a first ever four-in-a-row today and are strong favourites, just as their seniors were in 1982.
But Derry minor boss Damian Mcerlain, who was recently handed the senior job, believes his team can spoil the party.
Manager Mcerlain said:
DUBLIN MAYO
“This is a strong group, their mentality, their physicality, their ability. It’s probably the strongest group we’ve had.
“The maturity of the group is huge. With every win we’ve had the boys grounded and back training the following Tuesday night.
“Even when we won Ulster there was no sitting around for three weeks, we gave Sligo full respect and it was the same again for the Dublin game.
“At the same time, it’s a mighty challenge against the Kingdom.”
David Clifford is the Kerry player everyone is talking about. Kerry great Jack O’shea described the powerful full-forward as the best player he’s ever seen at that age.
The Fossa forward is one of four starters who won a medal last year.
Brian Friel is among that quartet and looks a special talent along with Diarmuid O’connor inn midfield.
I would argue there is no ceiling there: Jonny Cooper