{"id":390646,"date":"2026-04-09T22:57:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T22:57:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/390646\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T22:57:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T22:57:08","slug":"jonny-cooper-criticised-after-early-end-to-debut-dublin-u20s-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/390646\/","title":{"rendered":"Jonny Cooper Criticised After Early End To Debut Dublin U20s Campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jonny Cooper continued his mixed start to life as Dublin U20 manager on Wednesday evening, with his side eliminated from Leinster contention on the back of a 2-16 to 2-13 loss to Westmeath.<\/p>\n

Dublin started the game in an impressive fashion, finding themselves six points up inside the first 11 minutes. However, Westmeath would produce an impressive scoring run over the remainder of the half to lead 1-9 to 1-7 at the interval.<\/p>\n

The two sides went tit-for-tat in the second half, with Dublin regaining the lead at one stage. However, a late two-pointer from Westmeath forward James McHugh would eventually prove to be the difference between the sides.<\/p>\n

Having also lost to Louth in their opening round robin game, this means that Cooper’s side have cannot advance to the quarter-finals and will instead enter the shield competition.<\/p>\n

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Jonny Cooper exits U20 contention with Dublin<\/p>\n

Jonny Cooper came into the Dublin U20 setup ahead of the 2026 season, although this loss means that it has been difficult start for him in the role.<\/p>\n

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Speaking to county’s social media team after the game, the former All-Ireland winner took responsibility for this latest defeat.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf99\ufe0f”Big future ahead and I’m excited about that”<\/p>\n

Dublin U20 Football manager Jonny Cooper speaks to DubsTV following Leinster Championship defeat to Westmeath#UpTheDubs<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/lJBt2W7wn3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) April 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Extremely disappointed to be totally and brutally honest about it.<\/p>\n

That being said, this is part of a journey, one their journey and my journey. There is a lot of learning and a lot to take away and we will go and take that away…<\/p>\n

It’s a real honour to be able to put our hand and step forward into the breach. This comes back to the manager, it really does.<\/p>\n

That is something I’ll need to reflect on.<\/p>\n

This was no doubt a difficult loss for Jonny Cooper to take, with Dublin out of contention after just two games played.<\/p>\n

In saying that, some were unimpressed with his comments after the game.<\/p>\n

Dreadful campaign, losing to Louth and Westmeath. It\u2019s not entirely on Cooper, he has to play with the hand he is dealt. He was a terrible appointment. The county board have a lot to be answer forregarding the standard of our underage teams over the last few years.<\/p>\n

\u2014 John Paul Carroll (@jpcarroll79) April 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a fine line between optimism and deflection\u2014and right now Jonny Cooper sounds like he\u2019s firmly on the wrong side of it.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Dublin19 (@faslj19) April 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

This is Jonny Cooper’s first managerial role, continuing the practice of having former Dublin standouts in charge of the county’s U20 team.<\/p>\n

The Na Fianna man will no doubt use this season as a learning experience as he aims for better results in 2027.<\/p>\n

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