Some big individual displays in this weekend’s National Football League games!
Brian Hurley (Cork)
While he ultimately ended up on the losing team, Hurley’s display was a thoroughly impactful one.
He formed a deadly partnership with Chris Óg Jones as a two-man full-forward man in the first-half. Acting as a target man, he gave Michael Fitzsimons a rare difficult day at the office, scoring 0-8, three of which came from frees.
His four points from open play, and one from a well-taken mark, led the Cork charge.
He did miss a glorious opportunity to level the contest late on, and his last-gasp goal attempt was impressively parried onto the post by Dubs goalkeeper David O’Hanlon.
If the Castlehaven man can keep up this form, Cork are going to make serious strides in 2023.
Jordan Flynn (Mayo)
Flynn has been one of the most improved players for Mayo in recent years. The Crossmolina man is growing in influence with seemingly every passing game, and his contributions in the win over Kerry were significant.
He scored 0-4 from play against the Kingdom, and was active in the middle third.
He was central to everything, as Kevin McStay’s outfit blew Kerry away in the first-half.
It wasn’t a difficult decision for TG4 to award him man of the match at full-time.
Neil Flynn (Kildare)
Kildare looked dead and buried, trailing Clare 0-14 to 0-8 and reduced to 14 men at Cusack Park, Ennis.
As they still have yet to score a goal in this year’s National League campaign, the Lilyewhites’ prospects of staging a comeback did not look bright.
However, Glenn Ryan’s introduction of Flynn worked a charm.
He changed the tempo of the game, and chipped in with four points for the Leinster side. He kicked the late winner in the 40th minute of the second-half to seal a much-needed win, as Kildare picked up their first result of the campaign.
