Jonny Cooper epitomises the juggernaut that is the Dublin footballers. He is their go-to man, if a job needs done at the back, Cooper is called upon.
Dublin have won six All-Ireland’s since 2011 and Cooper has been an ever-present in five of those six victories, his value to this all-conquering Dublin side is unquestionable.
Whilst many of the plaudits seem to fall at the feet of Ciaran Kilkenny, Brian Fenton and Jack McCaffrey to name just a few, Owen Mulligan recently claimed that Cooper was the real driving force behind Dublin’s dominance.
The Tyrone legend went as far as to compare Cooper with Sergio Ramos, the World Cup winning Real Madrid and Spain defender.
The Paddy Power brand ambassador said;
“I’m a massive fan of Johnny Cooper, the Sergio Ramos of Dublin.
“He’s a match winner. Cooper controls Dublin’s back line, and if referees need to be challenged he’s the first man up, like butter would melt. Cute whorism comes to mind.”
“Tyrone lack such a figure. You can’t teach this, you’re just born with it. The opposition hate him, but he’s a cult hero on Hill 16. Every team needs a Johnny Ramos!”
Cooper has now responded to Mulligan’s claims, with a wry smile, the Na Fianna man admits to having heard about the reference. He isn’t sure how much of a compliment it was though.
“It was interesting. It’s probably a bad thing in some people’s eyes. Some people have interpreted – I don’t know much about soccer – but he has a split fan base I guess.
“Some people like him and some people don’t. That’s maybe the same for me. Maybe it is a compliment, I don’t know what way it was intended by him. It’s hard to know what way to interpret it.”
The five-time All-Ireland champion has previously stated he plays his best football when on the edge. For him, he is just a team player who is trying his best to protect those around him.
“I just do what I need to do whether that’s defensively or protecting Stephen (Cluxton) or Evan (Comerford) or one of the goalkeepers behind me.
“I just do what I feel is right at the time, I don’t intentionally go to get yellows or anything like that but sometimes cases will arise that situation just happens. I try as best I can to practice the correct technique and tackle and everything else but sometimes it doesn’t work out like that.
“I’ve said it loads of times before, I play my best stuff on the edge. Sometimes I misread a situation and misjudge it and consequences they happen after that.
“I guess it’s good he mentioned me or somebody mentioned me in some regard, whatever regard that is.”
The truth is, Mulligan paid Cooper a huge compliment, he is just not aware of it, probably because he isn’t a fan of soccer, therefore his only knowledge of Sergio Ramos is of a man with a ‘split fan base’.
Jonny Cooper does play on the edge, and so does Sergio Ramos. But they are comparable for a whole host of other reasons.
First of all; both men are the key defensive cogs in their all-conquering sides. If Ramos is fit, he plays. If Cooper is fit, he plays. Simple.
Both men are versatile. Jonny Cooper has worn five different numbers in five All-Ireland finals. Whilst this doesn’t necessarily mean he played all five of those positions. It does highlight his versatility. He has indeed played full back, corner back, and wing back.
Sergio Ramos started his career as a right back. He eventually moved to the centre where he has played most of his career. He has on occasion helped his team out at left back, and even as a central defensive midfielder.
They are leaders. Sergio Ramos has captained both his club and country. Last week Jonny Cooper refused to call himself Dublin’s vice-captain, however, when they needed someone to life the Delaney Cup in June, who did they turn to?
The biggest comparison between the two is quite a simple one really, it’s also indisputable.
They’re winners!
Jonny Cooper and Sergio Ramos are both natural born winners!
Every successful team needs players in the mould of a Cooper… or a Ramos.
Newly crowned All-Ireland Senior football winner, Jonny Cooper was at the National Games Development Centre at Abbotstown to attend the GAA Super Games Centres National Blitz Day 2018 in partnership with Sky Sports.
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