CAN CONNOLLY BE COUNTED ON TO KEEP HIS COOL AGAINST KEEGAN?

YES, absolutely. I think you noticed a difference in Dermo’s attitude in the semi-final win against Kerry. There was no silly off-the-ball stuff and he wasn’t reacting to anything. He was just focused on playing ball and I think that’s the aspect of his game that he has to focus on really.

I definitely think the management team have got the message across to him that he is going to be targeted. He is the most talented footballer in Dublin — if not the whole of Ireland — he is going to get into tussles, but just move on and let the scoreboard do the talking for you.

He’s got to be big enough, strong enough and use his experience and know that you are going to get a little bit of treatment. He’s well able to dish it out but I think for Dublin to beat Mayo next Sunday, they will need Diarmuid (below) on the field. There is no point in being sent off like he was late on in the first game against Mayo last year. Dublin have to have him on the field if they are to win.

The other off-the-ball stuff doesn’t do him any favours and he is too good to be getting mixed up in any confrontations with Lee [Keegan].

There is only going to be one man tagging Connolly next week and that will be Lee and Dermo is going to have to get his head around that. Keegan did a great man-marking job on Seán Cavanagh this year, both on and off the ball, and he also did very well on Michael Quinlivan in the semi-final against Tipperary. Connolly will earn every possession he gets next week but he should plan on putting Keegan on the back foot from the first few minutes.

As far as I am concerned, there is still improvement in Connolly’s performance. He went out of the game a little bit in the second half against Kerry. I would have probably only give him seven out of 10 the last day, there is much more in him.

But I do think there is still a big game left in Diarmuid. When all the lights are shining on All-Ireland final day, it would be just like Connolly to put in a match-winnimg display.

Dublin need Connolly on the field if they are going to win