Comparing is a talent in itself

Darragh O’Connell was the name being bandied about in Croke Park on Friday last, or at least while yours truly was there (I left early, hands up but no apologies).

What caught my ear about the references to the Cuala midfielder were the comparisons. There weren’t many made. The Kerry native’s three points from play were quality scores — and notched when the game was in the melting pot — while his work rate was outstanding all through.

I wondered, though, if the fact he’s a native of the Kingdom meant some observers struggled to find a player who’d make for an obvious comparison: “He’s like another Jerry O’Connor/Derek Lyng/Jamie Barron.” Nothing.