CIARAN READY FOR CONNOLLY STATION NOW
DONEGAL legend Jim Mcguinness has backed Ciaran Kilkenny to replace Diarmuid Connnolly as Dublin’s inspiration.
All-ireland winning boss Mcguinness reckons Dublin are sure to face a ‘crunch moment’ at some stage this summer as they chase fourin-a-row.
Connolly memorably contributed directly to four scores in the second-half of last year’s All-ireland final win over Mayo, a game they won by a single point.
With Connolly now on a self imposed absence, Mcguinness believes Dublin will need a new talisman to provide the magic moments and Kilkenny fits the bill.
He said: “Dublin will face that crunch moment this summer. The question then is will somebody step up in (Connolly’s) absence, with leadership, with authority and be able to go, ‘You know what, I’m going to be the guy today who takes the team over the line’. I think that moment will come.
“The reason I say that is the style of play they have. They always give you chances, it’s if you’re good enough to exploit them with quality ball inside, with the ability to run the ball either individually or as a team. And so if a top team brings a top game plan, it’s going to come down to a couple of crunch moments.”
Speaking at a NOW TV event, the Sky Sports analyst said: “You could lean towards the middle of the park (for leadership) but normally it should be a forward who points the direction.
“I always have this parallel thing between Ciaran Kilkenny and Patrick Mcbrearty, same age profile, huge stars and big names at a very young age. A lot of expectation on them. Just watching the two of them over this season, you’re just thinking, ‘Wow, both of them are absolutely at their peak’.
“Both of them had a huge influence on both games last Sunday. So I think Ciaran Kilkenny will possibly be the guy who will have to carry that burden.
“I think he’s ready for it.”