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Diarmuid Connolly

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I feel for Dessie Farrell taking over this year. Undoubtedly, he has a massively talented team, probably still the best squad in the country on paper, but there'll be a big vacuum left by the retirements and the change of management. The players who've been there for a few years now will surely find it difficult to adjust to a squad without some of the more experienced faces, and a new management team after all this time, and worst of all for Dessie, if he doesn't win an All-Ireland it'll be seen as a failure! On Connolly, such a gifted player. One of the best passers of the ball that I've seen. The pass in last year's final comes to mind. A flawed character, but one who gave us great entertainment! DL_Man (Donegal) - Posts: 89 - 01/10/2020 13:27:33 2295054 Link
Great player, will miss watching him. candlewax (Galway) - Posts: 229 - 01/10/2020 13:32:49 2295056 Link
Replying To DL_Man: "I feel for Dessie Farrell taking over this year. Undoubtedly, he has a massively talented team, probably still the best squad in the country on paper, but there'll be a big vacuum left by the retirements and the change of management. The players who've been there for a few years now will surely find it difficult to adjust to a squad without some of the more experienced faces, and a new management team after all this time, and worst of all for Dessie, if he doesn't win an All-Ireland it'll be seen as a failure! On Connolly, such a gifted player. One of the best passers of the ball that I've seen. The pass in last year's final comes to mind. A flawed character, but one who gave us great entertainment!" The Dub5 well and truly in transition, Daly, Bernard, Flynn, Crazy Horse, Dermo and Jack gone. Not to mention Jim Gavin. That era and team is gone now and went out pretty much unbeaten in the Championship, bar Donegal in 2014 when they were starting out as it proved. I dont think we will get further then a quarter/semi final this year myself and Dessie deserves time and paitence to build his own team given the context. Its exciting for everyone else, with Dublin gone it opens up opportunity for everyone else. Still we'll look to our own and do it the Dublin way, enjoy it and try and build again. We can only be proud and appreciative of what we have achieved in the era just gone. But exciting times ahead for other counties no doubt. TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 3671 - 01/10/2020 13:53:38 2295059 Link
Replying To TheUsername: "The Dub5 well and truly in transition, Daly, Bernard, Flynn, Crazy Horse, Dermo and Jack gone. Not to mention Jim Gavin. That era and team is gone now and went out pretty much unbeaten in the Championship, bar Donegal in 2014 when they were starting out as it proved. I dont think we will get further then a quarter/semi final this year myself and Dessie deserves time and paitence to build his own team given the context. Its exciting for everyone else, with Dublin gone it opens up opportunity for everyone else. Still we'll look to our own and do it the Dublin way, enjoy it and try and build again. We can only be proud and appreciative of what we have achieved in the era just gone. But exciting times ahead for other counties no doubt." As much as I'd love to see a new winner, I wouldn't write Dublin off that quickly. Still a squad full of amazing players that any county would be glad to have. And to be fair to Dessie, he's a great football man with Donegal GAA blood to match! DL_Man (Donegal) - Posts: 89 - 01/10/2020 14:03:17 2295061 Link
Replying To TheUsername: "The Dub5 well and truly in transition, Daly, Bernard, Flynn, Crazy Horse, Dermo and Jack gone. Not to mention Jim Gavin. That era and team is gone now and went out pretty much unbeaten in the Championship, bar Donegal in 2014 when they were starting out as it proved. I dont think we will get further then a quarter/semi final this year myself and Dessie deserves time and paitence to build his own team given the context. Its exciting for everyone else, with Dublin gone it opens up opportunity for everyone else. Still we'll look to our own and do it the Dublin way, enjoy it and try and build again. We can only be proud and appreciative of what we have achieved in the era just gone. But exciting times ahead for other counties no doubt." ABK Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 3309 - 01/10/2020 14:15:14 2295064 Link
He looked off the pace, bar that pass in last year All Ireland. I thought it was strange bringing him back into Dublin panel so late in the year. Dublin were going to to win the All Ireland regardless. But at his peak, top class FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2216 - 01/10/2020 14:18:25 2295065 Link
The best player of his generation and contributed to the best and most successful inter county team to ever play the game. He'll rightly get plenty of plaudits but the real plaudits for him and his great Dublin team mates will be in generations to come when this period is looked back on in awe of Dublin and what they achieved - particularly the 5 in a row but the All Irelands beforehand. A record never to be equalled and Connolly will rightly be remembered as being a major part in the success story. To me this retirement more than any other will start the reflection of this special team; a lot more reflections, TV programmes, books etc to come over the next decades but for now it's Connolly being rightly praised for his contribution. sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 707 - 01/10/2020 14:48:19 2295069 Link
One of the best to do it. Personally speaking I have himself and Peter Canavan as the 2 greatest I have seen which is the greatest compliment I can pay him. panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2458 - 01/10/2020 14:54:03 2295073 Link
Replying To TheUsername: "The Dub5 well and truly in transition, Daly, Bernard, Flynn, Crazy Horse, Dermo and Jack gone. Not to mention Jim Gavin. That era and team is gone now and went out pretty much unbeaten in the Championship, bar Donegal in 2014 when they were starting out as it proved. I dont think we will get further then a quarter/semi final this year myself and Dessie deserves time and paitence to build his own team given the context. Its exciting for everyone else, with Dublin gone it opens up opportunity for everyone else. Still we'll look to our own and do it the Dublin way, enjoy it and try and build again. We can only be proud and appreciative of what we have achieved in the era just gone. But exciting times ahead for other counties no doubt." Great words regarding Diarmuid in your initial piece username. However you are kidding nobody regarding the merits of Dublin's chances this year. Having watched a fair few of the club games plenty of your best players are in exceptional form. Still worthy favourites for me. panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2458 - 01/10/2020 14:58:43 2295075 Link
Genius. What a player. One of the best I've seen. Best of luck to him in his retirement. Douglas_44 (Roscommon) - Posts: 221 - 01/10/2020 15:23:15 2295080 Link
Replying To panamasam: "Great words regarding Diarmuid in your initial piece username. However you are kidding nobody regarding the merits of Dublin's chances this year. Having watched a fair few of the club games plenty of your best players are in exceptional form. Still worthy favourites for me." I agree Dublin are still favourites however whatever his meaning username is right it's a new start for Dublin. A lot of people tried to paint all sorts of reasons for Dublin's success but the fact is money or whatever else wasn't the reason. I'm sure Dublin will want to continue the success but I've a feeling the country will fully appreciate Dublin's success when we all see how quickly Dessies and future Dublin teams fall into the pack. Whilst favourites I've a feeling the hunger will decrease this year and with a lot of personnel changes plus the implications of winter football I believe Dublin won't win 6 in a row and we'll see a new champion in December. sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 707 - 01/10/2020 15:50:54 2295084 Link
The limit on crowds could be a factor too. Dublin love playing to a full hill in Croke Park. That won't be the case in Championship. Still a very good team. The form in the League was patchy, though the way they came back against Monaghan was impressive. FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2216 - 01/10/2020 16:02:30 2295086 Link
Brilliant player and one of the best. On the All Stars! The two he received says more about the guys who were deciding who should get one and who should not (maybe 5+ would be closer to his displays) over his playing career. browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2189 - 01/10/2020 16:32:46 2295096 Link
Replying To sam1884: "The best player of his generation and contributed to the best and most successful inter county team to ever play the game. He'll rightly get plenty of plaudits but the real plaudits for him and his great Dublin team mates will be in generations to come when this period is looked back on in awe of Dublin and what they achieved - particularly the 5 in a row but the All Irelands beforehand. A record never to be equalled and Connolly will rightly be remembered as being a major part in the success story. To me this retirement more than any other will start the reflection of this special team; a lot more reflections, TV programmes, books etc to come over the next decades but for now it's Connolly being rightly praised for his contribution." Michael Murphy is the best of this generation. Great player Connolly no doubt but Murphy is the greatest player over the last 15 years. Kepak10 (Meath) - Posts: 153 - 01/10/2020 16:34:35 2295097 Link
Replying To Kepak10: "Michael Murphy is the best of this generation. Great player Connolly no doubt but Murphy is the greatest player over the last 15 years." Great player and one of the best. As for the best of his generation I don't think he was the best Ulster player over the past 15 years never mind the best in the country. Connolly head and shoulders the best there was. sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 707 - 01/10/2020 17:01:17 2295099 Link
Never liked him,for obvious reasons,but he was an excellent footballer. Moyle (Tipperary) - Posts: 49 - 01/10/2020 17:08:42 2295101 Link
Class player, superb athlete. Just a little sidenote. It is quite amusing people raving today about the pass from the final that was not meant for the player who cut across and caught it mid stride! TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 6893 - 01/10/2020 17:19:46 2295103 Link
Replying To TheFlaker: "Class player, superb athlete. Just a little sidenote. It is quite amusing people raving today about the pass from the final that was not meant for the player who cut across and caught it mid stride!" Thanks for letting us know Dermo and best of luck in your retirement. TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 3671 - 01/10/2020 17:27:30 2295107 Link
Absolutely outstanding player, easily one of the best of his generation. It's always great to see someone so naturally talented in their stride, and sure he had his flaws (don't we all), but some of the best are like that. All the best of Diarmuid in the retirement, he'll be talked about for years to come, that's the measure of his talent. Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8583 - 01/10/2020 17:32:52 2295109 Link
Best of luck to Diarmuid Connolly on his retirement from inter-county football very talented and enjoyable player to watch. Who knows he might do a conal keaney and give a season or 2 with the hurlers. DUALSUPPORT (Limerick) - Posts: 718 - 01/10/2020 17:35:39 2295113 Link