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15th January 2019
03:14pm GMT

“If you don’t get on the train, you’re stuck on the platform, that’s Jim’s motto," says Connell. "A lot of other counties - if they won in 2011 or 2013, they’d still have Paddy Andrews, Brogan, McMenamin, O’Gara still playing - the four of them didn’t see game time last year, I know Brogan was injured but at the end of the All-Ireland, they rocked onto the pitch, you could see the disappointment in them - they’d been winning All-Irelands and it’s a very difficult thing to do to go back to being a sub...I think every other county would have had those lads starting, based on their history…"
He points to the emergence of his club man Murchan.
"You look at Eoin Murchan last year - Murch came from nowhere - he’s from my club, I’d have known he’s good, he won an under-21 All-Ireland with Dessie Farrell but to come in during the Super 8s and to hold your place all the way through...that was phenomenal, nobody saw that coming...He marked Ryan McHugh in one of those games and that’s it, keep your position…" "It’s interesting that Diarmuid Connolly referenced Howard the year before and he ends up taking the jersey and being an All-Star nomination...that’s testament to Jim...The other testament is to the coaches up along, it just seems so seamless, it goes back to them coaches, they’ve a clear set of instructions and then lads just fit in, like Murch did when he got his chance."And having charted Brian Fenton's emergence to us a couple of years ago, Connell is well placed to spot a bolter for 2019.
"I think if they need a player this year, cover has to be in the full back line," he said. "Half back and midfield, I think we’re alright...I think they need a player there more than anywhere else. Seanie McMahon - the other night, he played at number three, he’s from Raheny, he’s a good player.And 23-year-old McMahon, who minded the house against Meath in the O'Byrne Cup the other night, fits the bill.
"I like the look of him there as well, he sticks ball under his arm and runs...Philly McMahon obviously coming to the twilight of his career, Jonny will obviously stay there, Davy Byrne has been in and out for a few years, he was the one a few years ago..so cover there is the one I think they might need in terms of longevity and trying to stay on top...Just say if Jonny Cooper gets injured during the season, there’s an opening there, and you don’t just throw a lad in full back, I think they’re made, it’s in their DNA to play there...It’s a certain type of player that wants to stop somebody else."
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