Jonny Cooper applauds character of Dubs in O’Byrne Cup run

Dublin defender Jonny Cooper has applauded the achievements of the Dubs O'Byrne Cup squad who have reached Sunday's final against Louth in the Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda (2.0).

As the All-Ireland SFC winning squad were on a team holiday for the commencement of the competition stand-in manager Paul Clarke has taken an experimental side on board and following last weekend's dramatic semi-final victory over Kildare in Newbridge face the Wee County this Sunday afternoon.

"A lot of those guys would have been watching from the outside over the last number of years and wanting to play and wanting to get into squads and now they have an opportunity, not only to get games but to win," says Jonny.

"They're showing character and showing skill to match it, to beat Kildare at the weekend and the other teams they've beaten."

Looking ahead to the upcoming NFL campaign that begins for the Dubs with an away clash against Cavan in Breffni Park on Sunday, February 5 the Na Fianna clubman says Dublin are behind the preparations of other sides owing to their extra lengthy and successful 2016.

"Maybe a bit of a risk but at the same time we had a long 2016 so Jim wanted to give us all the necessary break and as a result we came back a little bit later.

"The league is always a priority for us. It's just the timing of it this year, we're only back a couple of weeks but I think the priority will always be the same. As individuals in the national league, it's always about trying to get a jersey for the Championship. I would see that being no different this year."

Reflecting on last October's pulsating All-Ireland SFC final replay victory over Mayo Jonny says he endured some mixed emotions after being black-carded in the decider.

"It probably left a sour taste at the end of 2016 for me and gives me the bit between my teeth to get a jersey to try and play a bit more this year. One half of me was thinking, 'yeah, okay, the next man up will go in and do a job' and he did it better than I probably could have done it.

"The other half of me was thinking I'm there to show people what I've been working for and to try and show people what I can do. So it was a little bit bittersweet for me."