'Phenomenal' Dublin star praised by six-time All-Ireland winner after Cork win
Paul Flynn was impressed with Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne after his standout performance for Dublin in their defeat of Cork on Saturday.
The Dubs won by 1-19 to 1-16 against the Rebels at Croke Park with the side not at their best, but progressing regardless.
Four-time All Star winner Flynn believed that Ó Cofaigh Byrne was crucial to his side's victory, winning possession at key moments on both his own and Cork's kickouts.
Speaking on the Saturday Game on RTE, Flynn said: "I think it takes time to evolve into an inter-county footballer. He had such a good year with Cuala that people were expecting so much and probably unfairly comparing him to Fenton, he's not a Fenton, he's a different player.
"And now he's understanding his strengths and how he fits into the team, and the team, importantly, are understanding, OK, we just need him to win primary possession and lay it off, and that's what he's doing, and he's doing it better than anybody else in the country, winning primary possession at the moment, so he's been phenomenal."
Flynn was also appreciative of Luke Breathneach's effort after coming on as a substitute, saying: "One other guy I wanted to call out was Luke Brathneach as well, because he came on, he missed a shot which he would typically put over, and rather than putting his head down, he went and won a turnover, gets the ball back, and then ultimately gets the score to seal the victory.
"And that type of character for guys like Luke Brathneach or Ó Cofaigh Byrne, who's still earning their stripes, is really important in these types of games."
Indeed it will be crucial for the pair to be on form if Dublin are to be there or therabouts at the end of the campaign.
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