RTÉ Sport has chosen 6 players to follow through the 2018 Championship. We will look at their careers to date, aims for 2018 and what success looks like for them and their counties. Next under the spotlight is Galway forward Johnny Glynn.
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It was just under three years ago that Jonathan Glynn exploded into the popular consciousness.
He had made his senior debut in 2012, and was just 19 years old when scoring a goal in Galway's All-Ireland final defeat to Kilkenny.
But on 26 July 2015 Johnny made the GAA world sit up and take notice. If it was ever possible for a man standing 6'5 to go under the radar in the first place.
Just 40 seconds into an All-Ireland quarter-final with Cork, the Ardrahan man picked up the ball in midfield and set off on a solo run for goal.
With his fellow Rebel defenders trailing in the wake of the deceptively fast Glynn, Mark Ellis advanced to confront the forward.
Glynn flicked the sliotar over the Cork back's head, caught it again on his hurl and coolly batted past Anthony Nash to the net.
He added two points to his total as Galway brushed Cork aside, 2-28 to 0-22, but it was his post-match interview which really caught the attention.
Asked by RTÉ Sport's Joanne Cantwell: "What's this about Galway only having one forward?", Glynn exclaimed "That's f**ing bullshit" before immediately realising he was live on TV and apologising. Viral fame ensued.
This is pure gold from Johnny Glynn. Interview gold. #GalwayCork #gaa pic.twitter.com/iOYD2BHg8n
— Jack Murray (@mediamurray) July 26, 2015
Glynn moved to the Big Apple following a second final defeat to Kilkenny that year and lined out for the New York footballers in 2016, starting in midfield as Roscommon escaped with a one-point win.
He wanted to play for Galway again but was also keen to continue his work as a project manager for New York construction firm Topline Dry Wall, founded by Leitrim men Jonathan Kenny and Padraig McGourty.
Returning to play some club games in April, Glynn promptly injured his knee, and in the end was able to play just one game for Galway last year - the All-Ireland final victory over Waterford that ended a 29-year wait for Liam MacCarthy.
The accepted wisdom was that he had spent the summer flying between New York and Galway on a regular basis as he attempted to juggle career and sport.
But Hurler of the Year and team-mate Joe Canning tells RTÉ Sport it wasn't quite so dramatic as portrayed.
"It’s funny, last year everybody thought he was flying over and back but that wasn’t the case," laughs Canning.
"He was back for the duration of the Championship.
"It was a weird one. People said he was flying back every weekend for training, which is stupid really, but it’s a good story.
"He’s going to go back to New York after Championship again. He’s still working in New York from here, his job lets him do that. That’s the dream for everybody!"
Whatever the logistics, Glynn continues to work for Topline while based in Galway, a situation he described last September as "awful sound".
This time around there's no doubting his availability and Galway will seek to utilise his rare combination of size, pace and skill as they begin their defence of the All-Ireland title against Offaly on Saturday.
"He’s been back for the last number of weeks, since the start of the club championship," said Canning.
"He’s got a good bit of training done with us and he’s in great shape, the best shape he’s ever been in really.
"He’s a massive plus for us. You don’t get guys like Johnny every day of the week."
SIX TO WATCH
Follow Offaly v Galway this Saturday via our live blog on RTÉ.ie and the News Now App or listen to exclusive national radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1. Highlights on the Sunday Game on RTÉ2, 9.30pm.
