Diarmuid’s dream for Dubs duo
SIX-TIME All-ireland winner Diarmuid Connolly is hopeful both Paul Mannion and Jack Mccaffrey will pull on Dublin jerseys again.
Kilmacud Crokes attacker Mannion confirmed earlier this year he will sit out the season, but former team-mate Connolly insists a return is always possible.
Former Ireland underage soccer star Mannion is a three-time All Star and moved to China in late 2014 before returning to the Dublin panel after a two-year absence.
“It’s his decision and I hope he doesn’t regret it, but he has time on his side at 27 years of age,” retired Dubs hero Connolly told Boylesports.
“He won All Stars the previous two years and although last year was a bit stop-start for him, it was like that for everybody because of the virus.
“He came on in most of the games and had an influence, so we know the talent is still there.
“You never know, he could turn around in a couple of months and say ‘I want to get back in’ and
Jim Gavin used to say the door is always open.
“I’d love to see Paul Mannion wear the blue jersey for the next five or six years and reign supreme in it, but it’s a decision for him to make.”
On a potential return this season for qualified doctor and former Footballer of the Year Jack Mccaffrey, who stepped away last summer, Connolly said: “Only Jack will know.
“He wears his heart on his sleeve and I know he’s been finding it tough with the virus, doing savage hours at work and still studying, but if he has a little bit of free time we’d love to see him running up the sidelines by the Hogan Stand.
“Every time he plays he’s pretty much the man of the match, so we’d love to see him back in blue.
“He’s been on the front line, but I hope to catch up with him in the coming weeks and please God we’ll see him back kicking a ball.”
THE Pirates of Penzance intend to make the most of being centre stage tomorrow when Saracens come to town.
Mennaye Field will host the fallen giants of English rugby head for the Cornish Pirates’ backyard.
Saracens have been alerted to the dangers of the Championship after two pre-season defeats by Ealing.
And the Pirates are sharpening their cutlasses. Centre
Callum Patterson, the club’s player of last season, said: “It’s a brilliant game for us to welcome the ex-european champions down to Cornwall.
“They’ve had a taster of what to expect with Ealing giving them a couple of good games.
“It’s going to be interesting. I think this is a very strong league. The step to the Premiership is small.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of people out there cheering us on to give them a game and see if we can overturn them.”
Patterson, the cousin of Northern Ireland football captain Steven Davis, added: “We firmly believe we can be in that play-off fixture come May.”