Kerry attacking ace James O'Donoghue was as shocked as everyone else when Sunday Game pundit Martin McHugh labelled Colm Cooper a 'two trick pony' following the quarter-final victory over Galway.

In putting forward the argument that he believes O'Donoghue to be a better footballer than the Gooch, McHugh made himself public enemy number one on the Kingdom when using the 'clumsy' phrase to describe the Dr Crokes legend.

"I don't know why Martin McHugh said that," O'Donoghue told the Irish Independent. "I think he was trying to give me a compliment. But he brought the Gooch into it out of the blue. I don't know what he was trying to do.

"The first half of it, I was . . . and then he said that about the Gooch and I was thinking 'Don't say that . . . jeez.'

"Look, it's nice to get a compliment like that on 'The Sunday Game'. But obviously, down in Kerry, we have huge respect for the Gooch. He's our main man. Two trick pony. . . I think it just came out of his mouth before he had time to think about it."

O'Donoghue wasn't surprised by the furore the Donegal All-Ireland winner's comments generated on social media.

"I tried to keep away from it. People write to you on twitter saying 'You're not as good as the Gooch.' And I'm like 'I know! I didn't say it!'

"They're quick to throw in a bit of abuse. But look, it's a thing that I try to keep away from and not really comment on it. But all I could say is, everyone around the country has huge time for the Gooch. I don't think he deserved to be criticised out of the blue for no reason." Tweet

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