Johnny Cooper's role in the Dublin defence could determine how far Dublin progress in this year’s championship, according to Kerry legend Colm Cooper.
Mayo’s defeat of six-in-a-row champions Dublin in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final, coupled with relegation this year to Division 2 led many to wonder whether the end of the dynasty is coming.
Gauging Dublin’s strength in 2022 is difficult in light of a landslide Leinster quarter-final win over Wexford, the 23-point winning margin starkly illustrating the difference between the top and bottom tiers of league football.
Speaking on the Sunday Game, five-time All-Ireland winner with the Kingdom Cooper said that while there was little that could be learned from such a comfortable win, the role of Johnny Cooper in the Dublin rearguard caught his eye at Wexford Park.
"The question over Dublin is still a defensive one," he said. "That’s where they have come back a little (to chasing pack).
"At times (against Wexford) Johnny Cooper was trying cover and act as an extra defender because they have obviously identified there are gaps in their defence.
"It will be interesting to watch throughout the summer, will it be him, will it be one of the midfielders that will do it?
"Certainly they coughed up a lot of chances in the league. The teams coming up against them will identify that as an area of weakness.
"Johnny Cooper’s role will be very interesting to watch over next few weeks."
During the programme, the draw was made for the semi-finals of the Leinster football championship.
It's @KildareGAA v @westmeath_gaa
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 1, 2022
and@MeathGAA v @DubGAAOfficial
in Leinster SFC semi-finals.
Venues to be confirmed tomorrow#rtegaa pic.twitter.com/bsIqO8wtOT
Meath, fresh from their win over Wicklow, will take on holders Dublin, while on the other side of the draw, Kildare’s reward for seeing off Louth is a last-four date with Westmeath, convincing victors over Longford yesterday.
The venues are yet to be determined.
