“He makes everyone around him better…”

Colm Cooper has outlined Con O’Callaghan as the one Dublin player who makes the team tick, following Saturday’s convincing win over Kildare.

Describing the win as ‘convincing’ is putting it lightly, as Dublin completely dismantled Kildare in the Leinster Championship final.

Dublin scored five goals in what was as one-sided a game as you’ll see all season. They eased off the throttle in the second half, but those watching felt as though the Dubs could have scored at any minute.

Speaking after the game, GAA legend Cooper said that he felt as though O’Callaghan was what Dessie Farrell’s side were missing during the league campaign that saw them relegated.

Colm Cooper on Con O’Callaghan

Speaking on the Sunday Game, he said: “He scores, he wins ball, he’s unselfish. I think he gives everyone confidence.

“The really good thing about him – and you see this from great players – they make everyone else around them better. He certainly does that.

“Dublin missed a focal point when he was away during the league. When he comes back in, he gets everyone moving. The chemistry is back.”

Cooper concluded: “They’re back to themselves. The movement, the passing, diagonal, they were unselfish. They were the Dublin of old.”

Meanwhile, Cora Staunton described O’Callaghan as “unmarkable”.

Con O’Callaghan

The Cuala man missed the league through injury, but managed to bag 1-06 against Kildare on Saturday, showing his class from start to finish.

It wasn’t just his finishing that impressed though, as his movement and passing were also electric at Croke Park on the day.

With the Dubs now into an all-Ireland quarter-final, they know that they will need O’Callaghan to stay fit if they are to have any chances of winning it all.

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