On November 4, Diarmuid Connolly should secure his second career All Star. He will then resume his seat in the crowd as the top three players of the year are celebrated.
This is Diarmuid Connolly we are talking about. One of the greatest players of his generation, a man that propelled Dublin to their second All-Ireland win in 377 days and who is the ultimate team player.
He will sit, nod and applaud as Dublin teammates Brian Fenton, Ciarán Kilkenny and his Mayo nemesis Lee Keegan are celebrated.
He could probably care less. We hope he cares less.
This morning, the GAA and Gaelic Players Association announced their All Star nominations. Connolly and 44 others deserving recipients were on the list. The GAA and GPA also revealed the Player of the Year shortlist – Fenton, Kilkenny and Keegan.
All three men had fine seasons, which included the odd dip but a series of glorious, high points. Fenton would appear to be the favourite but Keegan will push him close. Kilkenny was superb in the Donegal quarter final and a true leader in the replay win over Mayo.
We will look back in time, however, and ruefully shake our head when we recall Connolly’s omission.
The tackling back, the towering performances, finding teammates in space to set up crucial scores, a glorious, curling point to do for Kerry in the semi-final, seeing Lee Keegan off in the replayed final, that nerveless penalty and so, so much more. Ultimately, it was not enough for those making the nomination calls.
“Anyone who doesn't appreciate what Diarmuid Connolly can do simply doesn't appreciate football at its best…” https://t.co/QIpEumHsbc #GAA
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 3, 2016
Connolly will be 30 by the time next year’s nominations are announced. He has time yet to be recognised as the best of the best by his fellow players – but it is very much dependent on Dublin reaching finals and trampling opponents.
The St Vincent’s forward is that ‘Dub’ that all other county managers warn their players about – precocious, fierce, prickly, a dirty bastard at times. For all those things, and his immense, fearless talent, it makes him loved by his own fans and despised by others.
He should make it onto the All Star team – only his second inclusion after 10 seasons of senior football. If he does, it will be some consolation. If he does not, some sort of €4 million plus, tax-payer funded, rolling, years-long Tribunal could well be established.
History will remember Connolly as one of the best of his breed. As for now, he will have to settle for All Stars, All-Irelands and that sense that he did his job and did it well.
The GAA Hour pays tribute to the unbeatable Dubs and ask where did it all go wrong for Mayo in the All-Ireland final replay. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.
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