National Forum

Diarmuid Connolly

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Replying To MesAmis:  ""The Dublin management obviously felt this and that's why he has been a bit part player for a while."

That's not really true though. He started every game from 2011 to 2016.

He was suspended for the majority of the 2017 championship but was still first in to the All-Ireland Final when he was available.

He opted out in 2018.

He opted back in halfway through the summer of 2019 and was brought right back in to squad and given game time.

That doesn't really tally with your claim above to be honest."
I think he opted out because he knew where things were heading regarding where he was in the squad pecking order under Gavin at that time.
To be honest it's not that I have any issue with people saying Conolly was a quality player, more so people on here talking him up as one of the all time greats which he wasn't.

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 768 - 02/10/2020 13:36:34    2295272

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Replying To bdbuddah:  "I think he opted out because he knew where things were heading regarding where he was in the squad pecking order under Gavin at that time.
To be honest it's not that I have any issue with people saying Conolly was a quality player, more so people on here talking him up as one of the all time greats which he wasn't."
In your opinion , which your entitled to , doesnt mean your right !!

superbluedub (Dublin) - Posts: 2113 - 02/10/2020 13:58:47    2295275

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Replying To cavanman47:  "Was also one of the 2 Dublin players ruthlessly exposed by Jim Mc and Donegal in 2014. Some would claim he was destroying Donegal early in that game. In truth, his flashes of skill, ehile eye-catching, were overshadowed by his failure to track back."
Ya If I remember right he took a shot at goal in the first half of that game which was never really on due to the angle and Durcan made a fine save but dermo never saw berno unmarked at the back post, if they had got that goal there would have probably been no way back for Donegal even at that early stage.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 11732 - 02/10/2020 14:23:43    2295289

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Replying To bdbuddah:  "I think he opted out because he knew where things were heading regarding where he was in the squad pecking order under Gavin at that time.
To be honest it's not that I have any issue with people saying Conolly was a quality player, more so people on here talking him up as one of the all time greats which he wasn't."
Maybe you're right about that but the fact that Gavin brought him straight back in nearly 2 years since he had played a championship game for Dublin goes against you there to be fair.

I've no problem with you thinking Connolly isn't one of the all time greats. And there are good arguments to be made to support your opinion, I just don't think the one about the Dublin management holds true to be honest.

I don't agree with people cherry picking a game here and there either where he didn't play well. We could do that for every 'all time great' back to Mick O'Connell sure! We even have one poster pointing to a game where he was head and shoulders Dublin's best performer on the day as a game he was 'ruthlessly exposed'! That's just silly. Dublin's problems that day were that they ran into an excellent Donegal team on form who exposed Dublin's gung-ho style of football brilliantly. Not Diarmuid Connolly.

Connolly had problems in terms of his discipline which massively count against him when reviewing his 'greatness' imo. I think the majority of people think he was worth having on the team despite those problems. I think most of the times he got in trouble on the pitch he had no one to blame but himself, but occasionally I think he was unfairly treated. For example he deserved to be suspended for his push on the linesman in 2017 but I've no doubt that had that have been Jack McCaffrey or Bernard Brogan for example who had pushed the linesman they would not have been suspended. Certain players get reputations, on the great Kerry team of the 00s had Paul Galvin pushed a linesman like Connolly he would have had the book thrown at him, Donaghy too but had the Gooch or Marc Ó Sé done it there wouldn't have been any furore over it.

For me he has been one of Dublin's best and most important players during this period of dominance. I'd have him only behind Cluxton and McCarthy and only slightly ahead of Kilkenny and Fenton. Others might disagree but I think it spoke volumes that when push came to shove Jim Gavin looked for an out of practice Connolly ahead of others last summer.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13145 - 02/10/2020 15:01:36    2295301

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Replying To bdbuddah:  "I think he opted out because he knew where things were heading regarding where he was in the squad pecking order under Gavin at that time.
To be honest it's not that I have any issue with people saying Conolly was a quality player, more so people on here talking him up as one of the all time greats which he wasn't."
Well in my opinion Connolly was one of the key men in the Dublin dominated era 2011 to 2020 and in my opinion being so influential in the by far the most successful inter-county team of the modern era must give him some status. Hard to say he was one of the all-time greats at all facets of the gaelic football game, but then again who was. Like there are many players who trip off the tongue as greats for their scoring ability or their fielding ability or maybe their pure tenacity. For me the area where Connolly stands out and is one of the all time greats is his ability to strike the ball so cleanly from his hands, long or short, varying the trajectory of the pass at will or guiding the ball with the outside, inside or lace of the boot so naturally.
Just from a statistical point of view, winning six All-Ireland senior inter-county medals, puts him joint 20th on the all-time winners list.

sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 205 - 02/10/2020 15:26:03    2295312

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Replying To MesAmis:  "Maybe you're right about that but the fact that Gavin brought him straight back in nearly 2 years since he had played a championship game for Dublin goes against you there to be fair.

I've no problem with you thinking Connolly isn't one of the all time greats. And there are good arguments to be made to support your opinion, I just don't think the one about the Dublin management holds true to be honest.

I don't agree with people cherry picking a game here and there either where he didn't play well. We could do that for every 'all time great' back to Mick O'Connell sure! We even have one poster pointing to a game where he was head and shoulders Dublin's best performer on the day as a game he was 'ruthlessly exposed'! That's just silly. Dublin's problems that day were that they ran into an excellent Donegal team on form who exposed Dublin's gung-ho style of football brilliantly. Not Diarmuid Connolly.

Connolly had problems in terms of his discipline which massively count against him when reviewing his 'greatness' imo. I think the majority of people think he was worth having on the team despite those problems. I think most of the times he got in trouble on the pitch he had no one to blame but himself, but occasionally I think he was unfairly treated. For example he deserved to be suspended for his push on the linesman in 2017 but I've no doubt that had that have been Jack McCaffrey or Bernard Brogan for example who had pushed the linesman they would not have been suspended. Certain players get reputations, on the great Kerry team of the 00s had Paul Galvin pushed a linesman like Connolly he would have had the book thrown at him, Donaghy too but had the Gooch or Marc Ó Sé done it there wouldn't have been any furore over it.

For me he has been one of Dublin's best and most important players during this period of dominance. I'd have him only behind Cluxton and McCarthy and only slightly ahead of Kilkenny and Fenton. Others might disagree but I think it spoke volumes that when push came to shove Jim Gavin looked for an out of practice Connolly ahead of others last summer."
I think its evident the opinion of the management team when you look at how Bernard Vs Connolly were integrated in the panel last year and the places they took up in the squad shake up.

Laughing at the Donegal in game 14, it was one of his best, he was player of the year that year for me. Cant remember who won it in the end.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 3671 - 02/10/2020 15:44:03    2295318

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I thought Connolly was Dublin's best player in that 2014 semi final, when other fellas were wilting in the 2nd half Connolly kept battling on and scored a great point under sever pressure,
there was a ship that couldn't be sank and a team that couldn't be beat, don't believe the hype!!

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 1076 - 02/10/2020 16:28:06    2295327

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Replying To MesAmis:  "That's certainly one way of looking at it.

Who was the other player who 'failed to track back'?

Here's me thinking it was the fact that the Dubs midfield and half backline continually attacked leaving the gaps that caused the problems.

Over egging the pudding there methinks."
I didn't say 2 failed to track back. .

Connolly failed to track Thompson and Flynn hadn't the pace to stay with McHugh (not Flynn's fault - I haven't seen anyone match McHugh for pace).

The other target was the high ball into the square. Dublin were firmly in control of the game until Donegal put one in on top of Cluxton and Murphy. Only 1 winner there.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 4135 - 02/10/2020 16:50:30    2295333

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Replying To TheUsername:  "I think its evident the opinion of the management team when you look at how Bernard Vs Connolly were integrated in the panel last year and the places they took up in the squad shake up.

Laughing at the Donegal in game 14, it was one of his best, he was player of the year that year for me. Cant remember who won it in the end."
James O'Donoghue got it at a canter.

Saying it was one of Connolly's best games shows you how the game can appear so different to one fan than it can to another. Yes, he kicked some lovely scores, sold a few great dummies, but if you delve down properly into where the game was won and lost, it was the Donegal wing backs getting past their men that won them the game that day.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 4135 - 02/10/2020 16:53:58    2295334

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Replying To cavanman47:  "James O'Donoghue got it at a canter.

Saying it was one of Connolly's best games shows you how the game can appear so different to one fan than it can to another. Yes, he kicked some lovely scores, sold a few great dummies, but if you delve down properly into where the game was won and lost, it was the Donegal wing backs getting past their men that won them the game that day."
It was more a naivety of approach in terms of tactics than the fault of any one player. Connolly certainly was not the reason Dublin lost that game and was probably their best player overall but that game proved the need to change the tactics and adapt a different approach which when you delve down properly was proven afterwards. It was a big factor in what was to develop in the years that followed. Nothing to do with any one player.

catch22 (USA) - Posts: 1647 - 02/10/2020 18:30:23    2295349

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Replying To cavanman47:  "I didn't say 2 failed to track back. .

Connolly failed to track Thompson and Flynn hadn't the pace to stay with McHugh (not Flynn's fault - I haven't seen anyone match McHugh for pace).

The other target was the high ball into the square. Dublin were firmly in control of the game until Donegal put one in on top of Cluxton and Murphy. Only 1 winner there."
Yes only one winner that time. Cluxton breaks the ball down stopping Murphy from making a clean catch. Ball breaks to Rory O'Carroll who drops it and Donegal get the goal. You need to watch it again methinks

I think you're reaching a bit in your criticism of Connolly and Cluxton in this regard to be honest. Connolly was Dublin's best player on the day and did plenty of tracking back too, the fact that Donegal had oceans of space to break into was the winning and losing of the game as anyone could see.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13145 - 02/10/2020 18:37:18    2295351

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Replying To cavanman47:  "James O'Donoghue got it at a canter.

Saying it was one of Connolly's best games shows you how the game can appear so different to one fan than it can to another. Yes, he kicked some lovely scores, sold a few great dummies, but if you delve down properly into where the game was won and lost, it was the Donegal wing backs getting past their men that won them the game that day."
It certainly does, show different assessment and perceptions. He was immense on the day in my opinion, imperious in the first half and never dropped his head in the second.

Donegal got their tactics spot on and had the quality of players and the skill set to execute it, fully deserved the win, they were by far the best team on the day. I'd disagree with your assessment personally, the space was all through the central channel, hence why Cian O Sullivan, became a sweeper, MDM was sent to Coventry and Fenton (via Emmett O Conghaile ) and Bastick and laterally Jamesy became the go to's, watched the whole thing come together the following league.

Laterally with the blankets we always came up against. Jim rotated a half forward into the half back line for a counter, say a Scully, Flyner then Howard, if a Jack say went bombing on, more 17/18 though Last year he did it with the forwards to. Ultimately any Dublin line, could attack or defend.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 3671 - 02/10/2020 20:56:00    2295376

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Replying To TheUsername:  "A bitter sweet day for those raised on songs and stories.

If ever a man earned & deserved a warm send and appreciation in the next phase of his life its Dermo Connolly. Simply put he was the most talented and highest quality player, on the most successful and in my opinion greatest team ever to play to the game. When you have witnessed and enjoyed a player of his caliber for such as long time its impossible not to feel the grief of knowing you wont see him in a Dublin jersey again, can honestly say i was gutted and left lumpy throated when i heard the news last night.

So many brilliant memories though. From the very start he was own man and maverick falling out with his own club man Giller after 2009 and coming back in 2011, to announce to the world that a star was born. One of the best and most com0plete performers i have ever seen was the quarter final thumping of Tyrone in 2011 in a monsoon, Dermo caught air planes and pointed from everywhere and difficult angles, ill always remember Micky Hart saying we had a plan for the Brogans but we never saw Connolly coming. The 2013 semi final against Kerry, perhaps one of the greatest games of football ever player he was genius some of the points he took of that day were genius and with great players on the pitch they all looked at him with awe. From that point on he went onto be a massive part of the pursuit of the sports most elusive unicorn of an achievement - the five in a row, those battles with Keegan, those moments of drama, the sublime skills, that pass that disected the Kerry blanket in the second game last year into Klkenny, how we all wish he had scored that goal in the final, would have been such a fitting tribute to the man and his contribution.

He was always a Vincents man at heart, no matter what was ever going on for him he would always tog out for Vincents, 3 All Ireland Club titles over the space of his career, the appex being the 2014 All Ireland Final were he put in the single greatest club preference of all time in my opinion, it was a pleasure to watch. You suspect that Dublins loss is going to Vinnies gain in the years ahead.

Dermo was maverick and Dublin Gaa will always be a home for mavericks, he is and will be adored by Dubs now and into the future. He gave so much pleasure and joy to the game. Yet i cant help but feel the game at times wasnt kind to him. We will hear loads in the future about quality players being targeted, while he often did himself no favors the authorities let him down with no protection, which often led to the flash points that made leave the game for a time and probably influenced his decision last night. Simply he put i think he gave more to the game then the game gave to him.

Regardless though he has peerless career of well rounded achievement:

Club:

5 Dublin Senior Titles
4 Leinster Titles
3 All Ireland Club titles

Intercounty:

5 NFL Titles
11 Leinster Titles
6 All Ireland Titles.

Hurling
Leinster U21 title

A remarkable career at the highest level that many will never equal.

As for the Dubs we will look in the our own its our way, but it will be a while before we see Dermos like again.

Thankyou to Marino Magician a life time of memories, will be remembered and revered wherever blue is worn.

Diarmuid Connolly, Laochra Gael."
I did not realise the role of honour love him hate him not a gaa man that would not beg to have him in there team.

Enjoy all the free time

ulsterrules (Donegal) - Posts: 191 - 02/10/2020 22:31:15    2295390

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Will really miss Diarmuid. He is such a natural, talented and skillful player. A pleasure to see in full flow action. He made every game so interesting, never a dull moment when he was on the pitch. He always brought huge energy to a game, even though there were lots of occasions when as a Mayo fan, I wished he had a little less energy!! Best of luck Diarmuid and every blessing for the future.

GormlaighG (Mayo) - Posts: 74 - 03/10/2020 00:43:58    2295398

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Replying To TheUsername:  "Thanks for letting us know Dermo and best of luck in your retirement."
No worries bud. Thanks for the poetic obituary at the start of the thread. Roy Curtis couldn't have done it better.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 6893 - 03/10/2020 11:05:41    2295414

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Replying To ulsterrules:  "I did not realise the role of honour love him hate him not a gaa man that would not beg to have him in there team.

Enjoy all the free time"
Don't believe everything that you read from multiple username as dermo has 2 club allireland not 3.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 11732 - 03/10/2020 11:59:35    2295422

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "No worries bud. Thanks for the poetic obituary at the start of the thread. Roy Curtis couldn't have done it better."
I think he did:

Diarmuid Connolly
Among the few athletes fluent in the language of genius.
An aesthetic treasure house.
A triumph of imagination and daring.
With the unfailing ambition to deliver the unforgettable.
Box office platinum.
The reel of his football life is an authentic blockbuster.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 3671 - 03/10/2020 12:00:21    2295423

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Really enjoyed watch Diarmuid play. Out of all the high profile players to call it a day in recent times, this one stuck a cord..
Best wishes and thanks

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1073 - 03/10/2020 20:20:47    2295484

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Best of luck to him in the future. The highest compliment I can pay him, is that he was the best I've seen since graham geraghty. And the similarities between the two of them didn't end there.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 17035 - 04/10/2020 11:47:18    2295541

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Whether you love them or hate them, there are some players that are just a pleasure to watch - Graham Geraghty, Ciaran McDonald, Stephen O'Neill..etc. Connolly was one of those. His battles with Lee Keegan were epic. The game needs these stand out individuals

bad.monkey (USA) - Posts: 4443 - 04/10/2020 12:36:10    2295549

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