Skerries Harps forward Stephen Smith is enjoying some season.
Smith had Na Fianna defenders tripping over themselves last month with a personal haul of 1-7 against the Mobhi Road based club in a hard fought 1-12 draw.
Dublin defender Jonny Cooper struggled to lay a hand on him that day and Smith produced a similar performance against the Underdogs on Friday with a terrific first-half.
Agallamh Laoch na hImeartha Stephen Smith, agus b'é a debut leis an fhoireann Sinsear @DubGAAOfficial @officialgaa @SportsJOE_GAA @GAA_BEO @ADAREtelly pic.twitter.com/X9aMJpazwK
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 19, 2018
CÚL EILE ag @dubgaa_official
Pas iontach ó Steven Smith agus isteach sa liontán!@GAA_BEO @ADAREtelly pic.twitter.com/oK0TBMBM1r
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 19, 2018
Sár Cluiche ag Smith go dtà seo!
Pointe eile faighte aige!#Underdogs 0-2@DubGAAOfficial 2-7@GAA_BEO pic.twitter.com/NCu6LcjM8r
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/Jordan_Abbey5/status/1053370103616675840
Half Time here in Parnell Park and Dublin lead The Underdogs by twelve points at the break. Corner forward Stephen Smith and midfielder Darragh Gavin particularly impressive for Dublin thus far.
Half Time:
Dublin 2-08 The Underdogs 0-02 pic.twitter.com/QlUamkJWqX
— AllIrishSport (@AllIrishSport) October 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/amcgarrity21/status/1053360994699755520
Jesus but Stephen Smith is absolutely class🔥🔥 #underdogs
— Kane Barrett (@kaneyb_14) October 19, 2018
Smith is just one of a batch of talented forwards available to Dublin manager Jim Gavin with Niall Scully, Ciarán Kilkenny, Con O’Callaghan, Dean Rock, Paul Mannion, Paddy Andrews, Bernard Brogan, Paul Flynn, Cormac Costello and Kevin McManamon all regular contributors to a devastating attack.
GAA Hour host Colm Parkinson said earlier this summer that Dublin’s full-forward line was set in stone but that he thinks that Gavin opts for youth in his half-forward line.
“Costello just does not get into that full forward line. That full forward line is set in stone – it’s Rock, Kilkenny and it’s Mannion.
“And I’m sorry for anyone else that wants to get onto that full forward line because it’s not going to happen. That’s set!
“I think the half forward line is set too. It’s Howard, Con O’Callahan and it’s Scully. I don’t think there’s a place in there for anyone… not Flynn. That’s for now. That’s set; I think he wants to go for youth.”
Some tough names for Smith to displace but if he keeps producing strong performances at club level, and in exhibition matches against the likes of the Underdogs, he’ll be hard to ignore.
