Jim Gavin stuck to his guns when asked about Diarmuid Connolly following yesterday's National Football League Division One final win against Galway.
Yesterday's Sunday Times carried a report from Christy O'Connor regarding Connolly. It stated that the 30-year-old is not currently interested in playing either football or hurling for his county. There had been some speculation that Pat Gilroy could invite his fellow clubman to be part of the Dublin hurling panel. It was also said that at the moment, Connolly has priorities outside of GAA.
When asked by RTÉ's Darren Frehill if the report was a "fair reflection" of Connolly's situation, Gavin said, "No it's not. Simple as that, yeah."
The Dublin manager had said in recent weeks that the St. Vincent's player was still part of his panel and was simply resting. Connolly played just 26 minutes for Dublin in this year's National League. That was as a substitute in February's win against Mayo at MacHale Park. Considering how little inter-county football Connolly has played in the past year, it had left many wondering why he required a rest.
Gavin told the Irish Independent's Martin Breheny after Sunday's game at Croke Park that he and Connolly had agreed a period of rest was the right decision at this moment.
"His status at the moment is that both Diarmuid and I agreed that what was best was that he would take a rest over these games.
"He has had a long number of years playing senior inter-county football, as have a lot of this group, so that decision was made in his best interests."
Gavin responded, "Please God" when asked if the five-time All-Ireland winner will play football against this season.
Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
