NOEL CONNORS LOOKS set for a man-marking role on Tipp dangerman John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer in Sunday’s Munster senior hurling final.
It’s a job that Connors is well used to, having clamped Cork marksman Patrick Horgan in the Allianz League final and again five weeks later when the Déise beat the Rebels in the provincial semi-final.
Former Allstar Connors is one of the most tenacious corner backs in the game but even he realises how big a task lies in store against O’Dwyer at Semple Stadium on Sunday.
“He is probably one of the most natural forwards in the game at present. He has fantastic wrists and just everything about him, his ability to read the game is phenomenal.
“He reminds me of a young Eoin Kelly with the ability he has to strike the ball.
“He showed that when he was marking one of the best corner backs in the country in (Limerick’s) Seamus Hickey and he caused Seamus a bit of trouble in the last match.
“John is definitely someone that every manager would love to have.”
O’Dwyer cut loose for seven points, including six from play, as Tipp enjoyed a 16-point victory over the Shannonsiders.
A couple of audacious efforts from tight on the touchline were breathtaking scores and Connors admires O’Dwyer’s ability to work his magic in tight confines.
“If you give him half an inch, he will score from anywhere. That’s one of the main things.
“You can’t stand off him too much because he will have the ball over the bar.
“It’s his overall ability to score from any position in the field, that’s something that you have to take into account.”
In 2009, Connors was 19 when he made his first Munster final start against Tipperary at Semple Stadium.
He realises now that he didn’t appreciate the experience enough.
“It was something that was very difficult to put your finger on at the time, what a momentous event it was.
I didn’t really cherish it as much as I should have.
“I was 19 years of age, probably very young and naïve. You probably don’t realise the situation that you’re in.”
Argentina fell apart in the second half .. 10000 of their supporters in the stadium , tough to swallow . But in the end it’ll have no bearing World Cup wise .
@Limón Madrugada: going on the last 20 years of Argentina massively underachieving, i think you are right.
@Limón Madrugada: They’ll do nothing in the world cup. They’re the south American English
@Carl Johnson: yeah you’re probably right but my comment was more directed at the Spanish team . Beating Argentina in a friendly at home doesn’t mean anything for Spain’s WC possibilities …
@Limón Madrugada: I’d disagree tbh. They’ll go in with confidence
@Limón Madrugada: some of their football was fantastic last night
@Carl Johnson: They made it to the final last time out. Calling them England is a bit harsh.
If messi somehow drags this team to lift the world cup he will be the greatest of all time by a country mile. I’d love to see him do it.
Argentina squad is so unbalanced. Probably best forward options of any team in world football but defensively they are a mess.
@Gareth Kennan: the more I see of Argentina the more I’m impressed by messi dragging these bums to the World Cup, some great attacking talent but a mess in midfield and defense, even in attacking they have maybe too similarly minded players. Aguero in particular has never showed up for Argentina and never gets criticized for it as its all directed at messi, the less said about higuain the better
I couldn’t believe in the commentary on TV and again in this article how nobody has mentioned how badly at fault De Gea was for the Argentina goal. If it was one of the English keepers, they’d be slaughtered forevermore for it.
@Adrian O’Farrell: quite simply it’s a regular thing for English keeps and not for De Gea
@Johnny Bravo: True. Not saying he’s a bad keeper, far from it. But it’s like when you get to his level, your errors just get ignored. Which is wrong.