DIARMUID CONNOLLY HAS tonight announced his decision to bring the curtain down on a hugely successful career in Dublin colours.
In a statement released by Dublin GAA, the news of Connolly’s departure was revealed. A six-time All-Ireland senior winner with Dublin, the St Vincent’s club man was one of the most gifted and naturally talented players in the game.
The 33-year-old stated that he departs the Dublin camp with ‘cherished memories for life’.
“I have been fortunate enough to play with an incredible group of players and I have cherished memories for life.
“Throughout my journey with Dublin, I was lucky to have shared it with an exceptional collection of friends who displayed unwavering support and loyalty to me during my time.”
Diarmuid Connolly has this evening announced his retirement from inter-county football.
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) September 30, 2020
Thanks for everything, @dermoc123 💙 pic.twitter.com/9ocvRXh6zw
Connolly was part of Dublin’s Sam Maguire breakthrough in 2011 when they ended a 16-year wait for All-Ireland glory and was involved in the run of subsequent triumphs apart from the 2018 championship which he missed as he spent the summer in Boston.
His prominence in the Dublin starting side lessened in recent years but there were still flashes of his attacking genius. He won All-Star awards in 2014 and 2016 as recognition of his individual displays.
Last spring he had been involved in Dublin’s league squads as the Dessie Farrell reign began but had not seen gametime before the action was shut down in mid-March. More recently Connolly had been in action for St Vincent’s in the club championship in the capital.
Connolly’s statement in full read:
“I have come to the decision to retire from representing Dublin GAA at inter county level.I have been fortunate enough to play with an incredible group of players and I have cherished memories for life.
Throughout my journey with Dublin, I was lucky to have shared it with an exceptional collection of friends who displayed unwavering support and loyalty to me during my time.
I would like to thank my club, St Vincent’s GAA and the Dublin County Board for giving me the opportunity to represent Dublin from underage to senior level.
There was always a strong relationship between the county board, the teams and players and this had a notable influence on how we performed.
To all the Dublin senior management, support and medical teams that coached, treated and helped me throughout my fantastic journey -THANK YOU .
To my parents, my family and my friends – thank you for supporting me and always believing in me. You gave me strength along my journey.
Finally, I would like to express my eternal appreciation to the incredibly loyal, passionate and devoted Dublin supporters, who were always there for us, no matter the score. You will always hold a special place in my heart.
Thanks for the memories.
Diarmuid”
Good piece and great to see him doing so well, Munster are certainly in the upper tier of teams in Europe and a real handful at home but the crunch needed against the power teams in a semi or final they are a bit away. This new setup will take time and will have its down days but with the right acquisitions and leadership they could be there in a couple of years.
@mrbryanrussell: What Munster have been missing from the past 8 years is what it is needed to win a Champions cup/ Heinekin Cup – a world class 7 and world class 10. Unfortunately Munster have have just a series of bad luck in this department – constant injuries to TOD, Bleyendaal and now Cloete and Carbery have knocked their season and when you’re relying on 2nd and 3rd choice players in these positions it is highly unlikely you will make it all the way to the final in May.
There’s always a reaction when Munster don’t do well, especially from certain quarters within and outside rugby who like to twist the knife when they get the opportunity.
However Munster are still not far off making a breakthrough but there are a few things needed for that to happen in my opinion.
The new coaching staff and shift in playing style needs to bed in.
We desperately need some players of the right quality to come through the academy. When I say “the right quality” I don’t mean simply international quality but players made out of the same stuff as Clohessy, Galway, Foley, Quinlan, Stringer, ROG etc.
Players who are 100% Munster and would see pulling on the red jersey (of Munster!!) as the greatest honour imaginable.
It might be a big ask now that we’re so removed from the amateur era but a couple of players like that would be gold dust.
We need to shift away from the notion that the HC is the only thing that matters. Too many times in recent years we’ve shot ourselves in the foot by putting ourselves in a poor position in the Pro14 by going after a European Cup we were never likely to win.
Build towards making ourselves as good as anyone in the league, win it and evolve from there.
We need to ensure that any players that are brought in from outside, either IQ or not, are of the required quality and willing to give 100% to Munster.
And probably above all else we need a bit of luck, especially with injuries.