A statement of intent.
Much of the talk in the build-up to Sunday’s All-Ireland final revolved around that man Diarmuid Connolly. It always does, doesn’t it?
Many felt Jim Gavin couldn’t possibly leave out the St. Vincent’s man, who has arguably been the best forward in the country over the last few years.
Colm Parkinson claimed in The GAA Hour podcast on Wednesday, that it would be an “ego-trip” from the Dublin manager if he decided to leave him out of the starting team.
Others felt Gavin’s decision to leave him out would be justified due to the fact that he hasn’t had much game time all year.
As it turned out, Gavin named his team on Saturday morning, and there was no place for their mercurial talent.
Many still weren’t convinced, and believed that Gavin would still call on the 30-year-old on the big day.
Those predictions were off the mark, as was proven come 3:00 on Sunday, Jim wasn’t flinching and he called on his Templeogue Synge Street warrior Eoghan O’Gara to start instead.
Connolly obviously wouldn’t have been best pleased with the decision, who wants to be on the bench on the biggest day of the year, the All-Ireland final?
The teams were warming up for the game, and the RTÉ cameras turned to Connolly, who was taking part in the Dublin warm-up just like every other squad member.
The only difference was that he was wearing a sleeveless Dublin vest and tracksuit, where all the other players were wearing a bib over their training top, and shorts and socks.
Colm O’Rourke didn’t approve of Connolly’s decision, and felt it was “out of keeping with the philosophy” of this Dublin team.
The Meath man continued to claim it was a signal that Connolly won’t be brought on in the game, and that he has been “exiled” from the panel.
Colm O'Rourke ain't happy pic.twitter.com/nnW94Ynhby
— Niall McIntyre (@NiallMcintyre) September 17, 2017
“It is a bit of a statement by him coming out, wearing a different top to everybody else, because everybody usually sticks to the team-ethic and wears the same top and same jerseys. It looks like Diarmuid has been exiled, I’d be surprised if he even comes on.”
Joe Brolly and Pat Spillane had a much more light-hearted take on Connolly’s “fashion statement,” and were soon gorging over Connolly’s muscles.
Joe Brolly and Pat Spillane are quite taken with Diarmuid Connolly's muscles 💪😍 LIVE: https://t.co/eaivAeymet #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/bPlEErMrQh
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) September 17, 2017
It was a nice top anyway.
As it turned out, Gavin’s Dubs could have done with Connolly’s influence in that first half, as the Mayo backs lead by Chris Barrett and Lee Keegan were on top of their opponents.
