When informed of Cribbin’s comments in his post-match press briefing, Dublin boss Gavin responded: “Yeah, it’s certainly not language that we use.
“We want defenders to win their own individual battles but not in any malicious or devious way.
“We want to play the game the right way. Sometimes players make mistakes, we understand that.
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Tommy Grealy / INPHO
Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO
“I’m sure that number 7 (James Dolan) didn’t mean to do what he did, but that just happens I suppose in the heat of the moment.
“Diarmuid is one of our most skilful players.
We’ve seen in the past that some of our skilful players being targeted as well. They didn’t complain. They never do complain to me. They just get on with it and that’s one of their hallmarks, that resilience.”
When asked about the incident specifically, Gavin hailed referee Fergal Kelly for the manner in which he handled it.
“It wouldn’t be the first time that we’ve seen it. Their number 7 raised his hand and made the contact with Diarmuid’s head.
Dublin boss Jim Gavin pictured during yesterday's game. Tommy Grealy / INPHO
Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO
“I thought the officials handled it…I thought they managed the game very well.
“Some of our boys reacted and spoke out to the referee and he moved the ball forward.
“I think they (Westmeath) might have got a point from that maybe so that’s what you want to see, good decisive officialdom and refereeing and I thought they did well.
“But we expect our players to stand up for themselves as well and both of them got a yellow card. I think that was a fair assessment of that particular incident.”
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'We want to play the game the right way' - Dublin boss Gavin on Connolly flashpoint
JIM GAVIN HAS had his say on Westmeath’s ‘targeting’ of Dublin forward Diarmuid Connolly.
The St Vincent’s man was at the centre of an incident involving Westmeath’s James Dolan in yesterday’s Leinster senior football final and Tom Cribbin revealed after the game that Westmeath had sought out Connolly for some special attention.
When informed of Cribbin’s comments in his post-match press briefing, Dublin boss Gavin responded: “Yeah, it’s certainly not language that we use.
“We want defenders to win their own individual battles but not in any malicious or devious way.
“We want to play the game the right way. Sometimes players make mistakes, we understand that.
“I’m sure that number 7 (James Dolan) didn’t mean to do what he did, but that just happens I suppose in the heat of the moment.
“Diarmuid is one of our most skilful players.
When asked about the incident specifically, Gavin hailed referee Fergal Kelly for the manner in which he handled it.
“It wouldn’t be the first time that we’ve seen it. Their number 7 raised his hand and made the contact with Diarmuid’s head.
“I thought the officials handled it…I thought they managed the game very well.
“Some of our boys reacted and spoke out to the referee and he moved the ball forward.
“I think they (Westmeath) might have got a point from that maybe so that’s what you want to see, good decisive officialdom and refereeing and I thought they did well.
“But we expect our players to stand up for themselves as well and both of them got a yellow card. I think that was a fair assessment of that particular incident.”
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Diarmuid Connolly GAA Gaelic Football Jim Gavin response Dublin Tom Cribbin