CHRIS Óg Jones’ rise to become one of the most lethal forwards in the country comes as no surprise in his home club of Uibh Laoire.

In the last three seasons with Cork, the sharp-shooter has racked up an impressive 16-83 in league and championship action, underlining his growing importance to the Rebels’ attack.

But those closest to him have long known about his scoring power. With Uibh Laoire, Jones has been doing this for years.

Back in the 2020 county junior A final – played in 2021 due to Covid delays – he produced one of the most remarkable individual displays seen in a decider, firing 3-8 in Uibh Laoire’s 3-11 to 1-6 win against Boherbue in Mallow.

If that tally wasn’t eye-catching enough, 3-6 of it came from play.

‘It was an outrageous display,’ recalls Uibh Laoire chairman John O’Callaghan.

‘I can remember the late and great Paudie Palmer saying there was never a man who got 3-8 in a county final. Those little memories will always stick in your head.

‘I was in Croke Park this year at the Division 2 league final against Meath when Chris Óg scored a goal – that was special for us as a community. Football and the club are a huge part of who he is, and he brings a small club to a very big audience.

‘Chris Óg is a brilliant young fella. Looking back at his underage career, because of our population, we didn’t always have the level for him that matched his talent. But we saw it from a young age. A small, nippy young fella, mad for ball. You’d see him up at the pitch at underage games with balls ready. He was brilliant that way.’

Gaelic football has always been his primary sport, but Jones also made a mark on the soccer field, lining out with College Corinthians on the southside of Cork city. That experience sharpened his instincts in front of goal.

‘You could definitely see his potential, but we were playing at lower grades than his ability warranted at underage level,’ O’Callaghan explains.

‘He did play a lot of soccer and that helped him. When you’re that talented, you need to be playing at a high level, no matter what sport it is.

‘I remember when he was a Cork minor, I was at a game in Páirc Uí Rinn. He took a shot, the goalkeeper saved it and it went out for a 45. He picked up the ball and kicked it off the ground over the bar. I wouldn’t have had him down as a 45 taker, but that’s how talented he is.

‘Whatever comes into his head, he’ll do it, and he’ll do it to the best of his ability.’

O’Callaghan doesn’t hesitate when ranking his club’s star man among the elite forwards in the game.

‘I’d rank him as the best inside forward in the country,’ he says.

‘I don’t think there are many goal-getters like him. He’s lightning fast, but he’s not one-dimensional. He plays off the cuff, which is his strength. It doesn’t matter where you give him the ball, he’ll make something of it.

‘One-on-one, there isn’t a back in the country that can hold him.’

Chris Óg Jones celebrates scoring his goal against Meath in the league. (Photo: David Ribeiro)

Jones’ reputation has also drawn praise from outside Cork. Former Kerry forward James O’Donoghue likened him to one of soccer’s most famous poachers when analysing his goal in Cork’s league win against Meath earlier this year.

‘Chris Óg Jones’ goal was one that another team might have fisted over the bar,’ O’Donoghue said.

‘He doesn’t get involved in the game that much. He’s like Filippo Inzaghi from back in the day. He lives, steals and cheats for goal chances. That’s the way he strikes me as a player. He’ll go for the jugular and he’ll get the score.’

It’s high praise, but it reflects the clinical instinct that sets Jones apart.

Uibh Laoire might be one of the smaller clubs in Mid Cork in terms of numbers, but thanks to Jones, their name is now known far beyond their parish boundaries.

His scoring record at club level continues to underline his value. Across the 2024 and 2025 campaigns, he contributed heavily to tallies of 6-27 and 7-28 in the premier intermediate championship, driving the club forward.

Yet his impact stretches well beyond what he does on match days.

Chris Óg Jones in action for his club Uibh Laoire.

Just a day after scoring 2-2 against Tipperary in the Munster semi-final in Thurles, Jones was back in Ballingeary at 10.15am to support his club as they secured a county league win.

‘He’s a huge part of our rise as a club,’ O’Callaghan says.

‘We have a strong adult team at the moment, but there were lean years. This group has learned a lot from him. We have excellent forwards like Cathal Vaughan and Ian Jones, Chris Óg’s brother, and there are young fellas coming through as well.

‘He’s brilliant with them. He’s very good to the younger lads and very grounded.

‘He makes as much training as he can and plays as many league games as possible. I couldn’t speak highly enough of him.

‘A couple of weeks ago, I gave our U14s their league medals from last year. I texted Chris Óg the day before and he came back straight away – he was down in Creedons Hotel in Inchigeelagh the next day handing them out. That’s the type of person he is.’

That grounded nature is reflected in how he approaches his football, no matter the level.

‘When he comes back, he’s brilliant in training,’ O’Callaghan adds.

‘No matter what level he’s playing at, he gives it everything. He’s a team player, he brings others into the game and he’s a leader in the dressing room. He’s bringing experience to a club that really benefits from it.’

As Cork prepare for another big test against Kerry, O’Callaghan believes his clubmate could again have a decisive say.

‘With Mark Cronin and Steven Sherlock involved, especially Sherlock taking on the long-range scores and two-pointers, it allows Chris Óg to stay closer to goal,’ he explains.

‘Against Kerry, there’s only one thing that will beat them – goals. Hopefully Chris Óg can get a few of those.’

If he does, it will be no surprise back home in Uibh Laoire – where they have been watching this goal machine do exactly that for a long time.