Con pays tribute to his Dublin team-mates

Fri, 20th September 2019

Con O'Callaghan has praised the guidance of his team-mates in the time between the drawn All-Ireland SFC final and last Saturday's replay.

The Cuala man was superb in the replayed final when kicking four points from play as well as lending an assist in several other scores.

In the drawn encounter he scored one point but was fouled on several occasions for frees that were converted by Dean Rock.

“I would be (hard on myself). You watch the game back and you watch your own moments, and what you did and what you didn’t do, and you watch that back however many times. You’d be sick of watching it," said Con at the announcement of his selection as the PwC/GPA Footballer of the Month for August.

“I had a chat with Bernard Brogan and some of the older lads. He (Brogan) would have a very wise head on him and would see things, little nuggets of wisdom.

“I would get the advice of some other lads who were in a similar position, or someone who you might be marking.

"I could be marking John Small or Fitzy (Michael Fitzsimons) and get their opinions and what they think I could have done better. I would chat with them and try and improve for the next day."

Con paid extra tribute to the attitude of Bernard Brogan.

“He got dropped for the 2016 replay, I was only a young lad, but I just remember his response, it was so positive.

"Like, other people might have been annoyed that they weren’t starting or whatever.

“His response was so positive going out on the pitch, his body language, his enthusiasm, it was so positive after getting that news that he’s not starting an All-Ireland final replay.

"He’s been so successful but his attitude is so positive. He’d talk about it, that he’s only there to add value to the team, so he’ll do it in any way he can.”

Con looks set to return to competitive club action this Sunday when Cuala face Kilmacud Crokes in their Dublin SHC 'A' quarter-final at Parnell Park (4.45).

“We're playing Crokes this weekend, it's a massive match for us.

“We're training tomorrow (Thursday). I'll be down tomorrow night and I'd love to go ahead for the Crokes game.

“It all comes very fast, it's only a week since the game, but I love getting back to the hurling and playing with the lads."