Injured Mayo footballer Ger Cafferkey has jumped to Lee Keegan's defence in the wake of stinging criticism from some ex-Dublin footballers.

1995 All-Ireland winner Paul Clarke yesterday accused the Westport defender of "conceding his footballing ability by pulling and dragging".

It echoed sentiments made by Ciaran Whelan and Alan Brogan since the drawn All-Ireland final but Cafferkey has a different perspective on the Keegan versus Connolly duel.

"At the moment, it's kind of disappointing the take on (the duel) because I think it has been disingenuous for both parties," Cafferkey told The Irish Independent.

"Lee is the best footballer I have ever seen and played with. I see the type of athlete he is and I see how amazing his defending techniques and tackling techniques are.

"If I'm ever working with kids I say to kids, 'If you are going to Croke Park watch Lee, watch his feet, track his feet'. People focus too much on hands. And he is such an athlete he is able to get around Croke Park.

"So people are painting a very nasty and cynical picture of it but I would love to see it painted in a more positive light. It's two of the best footballers showing their range of skills against each other.

"I think (the duel is) fantastic. I think people are going to be looking back at this and say that was a great duel for a couple of years. You could almost get a 30 for 30 documentary out of it. It's real manly stuff - two of the best footballers in Ireland going toe to toe over a series of games. This is what footballing dreams are made of."

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