Diarmuid loss won’t hurt Dubs
FORMER Dublin attacker Senan Connell has tipped “ruthless” Jim Gavin to carry on without “genius” Diarmuid Connolly this year.
Connolly exited Jim Gavin’s all conquering Dublin panel in mysterious circumstances last spring and spent the summer in the US.
He played for the
Donegal club in Boston and won a local championship before returning home and playing for St Vincent’s.
It seemed at that stage he may get a chance to experience Dublin’s drivefor-five in 2019 – but with the National League just days away, no news is clearly bad news.
Pundit Connell said: “From my own personal point of view, I can’t see it happening, just from adding up the bits and pieces.
“There’s not too much given away, as we know, from that camp. I think Jim Gavin’s motto is, ‘There’s no stars on this team – we’ll win with or without you’. I think he’s proven that last year.
It’s just over 12 months since Connolly tipped Brian Howard to enjoy a breakthrough 2018 season.
Little was the experienced forward to know that Howard, who ended the season as an All-star, would effectively replace him in the team. Connolly featured for just minutes in a League game against Mayo.
Connell said: “We don’t know why he’s gone or why he left, so we don’t know if he’s even going to be asked back. But what we do know is that Jim is ruthless.
“It’s interesting the replacement was Brian Howard and that Diarmuid referenced him the year before as ‘one to watch’ and he ends up taking his jersey.”