The possibility that he might convince those who departed the Dublin hurling panel in recent years to once again pull on the jersey has been one of the main selling points of Pat Gilroy as manager of the capital's hurlers.
There is hope that the likes of Danny Sutcliffe, Peter Kelly and the Schuttes will once against pick up the stick at inter-county level. In addition, there have also been suggestions that Gilroy might convince some talented hurlers - currently on the Dublin football panel - to switch codes.
Speaking at the launch of launch of the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic on Tuesday, Gilroy was asked about the possibility of Diarmuid Connolly hurling for Dublin.
Earlier this month, Connolly lined out at midfield for Vincent's, scoring three points, as his side beat Craobh Chiarain in the Dublin SHC quarter-final. He is certainly a player with ability.
Gilroy and Connolly are clubmates. The new Dublin manager would not have to go far if he wanted to have a word in Connolly's ear.
You're better off asking him that, than me. Because really and truly it's up to him. It would be a huge ask for a fella who has played two hurling matches a year for ten years, because Vincent's weren't very good for the last ten years, to then turn around and say at 30 years of age now I'm going to switch over.
There were other guys who did it like Conal Keaney, but Conal was playing a lot of hurling with his club. So I think it would be a big ask for him (Connolly).
Over the weekend, in an interview with eir Sport ahead of St. Vincent's Dublin SFC semi-final against St. Jude's, Connolly said that he believed the 'ship has sailed' on a possible inter-county hurling career.
Gilroy was previously manager of the Dublin footballers - he led them to the 2011 All-Ireland title. The house of success which Jim Gavin has built on the foundations Gilroy laid is something he does not want to harm.
And, to be honest, I'm not going to do anything here that has...you know, I put a lot of time and effort into my little contribution to Dublin football and I'm not going to do anything to damage that either. I want to see that being successful.
It's one of the things I suppose, we're both Dublin teams, you know, and we should be working together. We're both for the same cause.
I'd have a very good relationship with Jim and I don't see that changing.
New Dublin hurling manager Pat Gilroy in Croke Park to launch the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival, also supported by Aer Lingus. On November 19, Dublin will take on Galway and Tipperary will face Clare in Fenway Park with the winning sides from both proceeding to a final for a chance to win the inaugural Players Champions Cup. This is the second time in three years that hurling, in the “Super 11’s” format, will be played at the venue. Tickets for the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival can be purchased at www.redsox.com/hurling. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
