Diarmuid Connolly doesn’t regret headlock incident during Westmeath clash

Diarmuid Connolly is a divisive character.

That comes with the territory. You can't be one of the greatest and expect everyone to love you and it's certainly not the case with Dublin's superstar who can do things with a football that most of us couldn't even dream up. But you talk about 'Dermo's' talent and someone will throw his aggression back in your face. You talk about his athleticism and someone will start going on about Dublin's money. https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_GAA/status/755410534892204032 Connolly was right in the middle of it all again on Sunday. A ruffle to his hair sparked a mass brawl with Westmeath and the issue of black cards and the forward's temper was debated fiercely on The GAA Hour with Colm Parkinson and Senan Connell (skip to 09:57 below). https://soundcloud.com/user-787320910/the-gaa-hour-with-colm-parkinson-tyrone-and-galway-are-back-but-these-dubs-are-not-going-away So the matter was put straight to Connolly in an interview with RTÉ but the St. Vincent's man said he doesn't regret what he did.

"That’s not within the rules," he admitted. "I think the referee dealt with it there and then. I was a bit frustrated, but look, that’s part and parcel of the game as well. "I don’t think that was a factor [being antagonised], I was just more frustrated with how I was playing myself and that’s what happened. "Most of my inter-county career I’m getting special attention. I just embrace the challenge and take it on." Any regrets? "No."

After that Leinster final final, Tom Cribbin admitted that he targeted Connolly, hoping the player would react. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/754777541488050177