Paul Flynn believes Stephen Cluxton will "play a really important role" for Dublin for this year's football championship, even if he can’t dislodge David O’Hanlon from between the sticks.
The 41-year-old eight-time All-Ireland winner made a sensational return to Dessie Farrell’s panel last week after over two years away.
But 23-year-old Na Fianna man O’Hanlon, who got his chance this year due to an injury to Evan Comerford, retained the No 1 jersey for the Division 2 final win over Derry.
"David O’Hanlon has been the find of the league for Dublin," said Paul Flynn on RTÉ2’s Allianz League Sunday.
"His kickout is brilliant, short or long. In the second half, Dublin were able to use it as the foundation for their attacks.
"It’s obviously a big week with Stephen Cluxton returning to the panel… but David has done nothing wrong.
"I think David will learn from him and Stephen will be a great mentor.
"Stephen will play a really important role in Dublin’s championship run."
"Stephen will play a really important role in Dublin's championship run"
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) April 2, 2023
Paul Flynn talks David O'Hanlon and the contribution Stephen Cluxton will make after returning to the Dublin panel
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Flynn expects his former team-mate to push to reclaim his starting spot but says his analytic skills are a huge asset to Dublin regardless.
"Stephen is very humble and he’s a great team player. But he is also very competitive.
"He will be pushing David and to see David respond the way he did today is a sign of what he is made of.
"But I know Stephen will be very supportive to David in that role as well. And to the remainder of the squad, his football IQ is greater than anyone I played with.
"He will be identify a lot of the things that didn’t work out well today for Dublin and he’s a master at breaking down opposition defensive structures.
"So he’s going to be a fantastic addition to the panel going forward."
