Johnny Cooper: Let’s get show on the road

The Leinster Council’s decision to choose Nowlan Park as the venue for Dublin’s opening defence of their provincial title may have come from left-field, but the Kilkenny ground will not be virgin territory for all of Jim Gavin’s footballers.

Johnny Cooper and Diarmuid Connolly are two among the All-Ireland champions’ squad who have played hurling there – both were members of a Dublin minor panel that faced the Cats 10 years ago – and they will return in three weeks.

“When I was there, there wasn’t much of a crowd, but the surface itself was lovely,” said Cooper. “It’s a couple of years ago but I’m sure it’s still the same. From watching games and being at games it looks like a good place and a good atmosphere.”