There was standards we didn’t adhere to: Jonny Cooper

Tue, 19th January 2016

Dublin defender Jonny Cooper reckons there are lessons to absorb from last Sunday’s Bord na Móna O’Byrne Cup semi-final defeat to Longford in Pearse Park.

Sunday’s defeat broke an unbeaten streak of 16 games for Jim Gavin’s men dating back to the NFL reversal against Kerry in Killarney on March 1, 2015.

“They’ve (Longford) obviously trained a little bit more, for a little bit longer than we have been back. That’s still no excuse whenever you put on a Dublin jersey,” says Jonny.

“There were standards we didn’t adhere to, and that’s something for us to go and rectify,” adds the Na Fianna clubman.

Jonny also stresses that opportunity knocks now for another defender for the season ahead following Rory O’Carroll’s departure to New Zealand.

“I think the mantra has always been among ourselves - albeit Rory is a big presence - that you have to stick your hand up the highest if you want the jersey.

“There are always two or three guys going for the same jersey. Obviously Rory has had it for the last couple of years but it’s just another opportunity for somebody else now.”