Post by Ballyfireside on Aug 12, 2014 22:09:40 GMT
Kerry forward James O'Donoghue has said that he doesn't want to be compared to injured star Colm Cooper and is only interested in winning an All-Ireland medal this September.
The in-form corner forward who has already picked up two man-of-the-match awards during the championship was in Croke Park to collect his Player of the Month accolade for July and says he wants to be known as a player in his own right following controversial comments made by The Sunday Game analysts Martin McHugh.
After dissecting Kerry's quarter-final victory over Galway where O'Donoghue notched 1-05 the match, McHugh not only lavished praise on the Killarney Legion player, but also described Cooper as a “two-trick pony.”
The comments caused a furore, especially in the Kingdom and O'Donoghue admits that they are protective of the eight-time All Star.
"I think Martin was trying to be complimentary, but everyone in Kerry is protective of the Gooch as he is a legend," he admitted in Croke Park.
"I don't want to be compared to the Gooch or anyone else. I want my own identity."
The sharp-shooter has been earning widespread praise for his scintillating performances against Cork and Galway, but says he is paying little attention as he is solely focused on claiming Sam Maguire.
"I try to ignore it (media coverage)," he said.
"I just want to win an All-Ireland."
Kerry face Mayo in the All-Ireland semi-final on August 24 and hope to go at least one step further from their narrow defeat to Dublin at the penultimate stage of the 2013 championship.
The in-form corner forward who has already picked up two man-of-the-match awards during the championship was in Croke Park to collect his Player of the Month accolade for July and says he wants to be known as a player in his own right following controversial comments made by The Sunday Game analysts Martin McHugh.
After dissecting Kerry's quarter-final victory over Galway where O'Donoghue notched 1-05 the match, McHugh not only lavished praise on the Killarney Legion player, but also described Cooper as a “two-trick pony.”
The comments caused a furore, especially in the Kingdom and O'Donoghue admits that they are protective of the eight-time All Star.
"I think Martin was trying to be complimentary, but everyone in Kerry is protective of the Gooch as he is a legend," he admitted in Croke Park.
"I don't want to be compared to the Gooch or anyone else. I want my own identity."
The sharp-shooter has been earning widespread praise for his scintillating performances against Cork and Galway, but says he is paying little attention as he is solely focused on claiming Sam Maguire.
"I try to ignore it (media coverage)," he said.
"I just want to win an All-Ireland."
Kerry face Mayo in the All-Ireland semi-final on August 24 and hope to go at least one step further from their narrow defeat to Dublin at the penultimate stage of the 2013 championship.