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Published 22:08 1 Oct 2017 BST
Updated 22:18 1 Oct 2017 BST
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“I’d go as far as to say he’s the greatest player Dublin has ever had,” said the staunch ‘Vinnies’ man to his friend, there’s no prize for guessing who he was talking about. “I’d agree, I remember seeing him as a young lad and he was just brilliant. Left foot, right foot, you name it he could do it and he’s a great hurler too, think he got sent off last week though,” replied the other.The greatest player ever for Dublin? I’m not sure if I’d personally go that far but Diarmuid Connolly gave an exhibition that night as to why he was put in that bracket. With the exception of the odd shot selection, Connolly didn’t put a foot wrong all night. He was superb. The two-time All-Star was picking out teammates for fun with long distance passes on both his left and right foot, breaking tackles with ease and just looked faster and stronger than everyone. https://twitter.com/eirSport/status/913842298382950400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportsjoe.ie%2Fgaa%2Fwatch-diarmuid-connollys-eye-needle-pass-vincents-orgasmic-138244 But there was one moment that caught my attention, after doing his shift out in the field Connolly got a breather and dropped into the full forward line. His man marked him goal side and on him as tight as could be. Doing everything a defender should do but when an aimless high ball was throw in on top of them the Dublin star effortlessly found himself under it and catching it one handed. The stadium fell silent as if they realised they had just witnessed something a little bit special. Vincent’s ran out comfortable winners in the end, Robbie Keane was there supporting Sylvesters on the day.
As soon as the full time whistle blew chaos erupted as kids sprinted to get photos with Connolly, but a lot more just wanted to go onto the pitch to kick a ball around and hit some sliotars.
It took stewards a good 10 minutes to clear the pitch as Ciaran Kilkenny’s Castleknock warmed up with kids hitting balls over his team’s heads. And you wouldn’t change it for the world.
The match was epic, Kilmacud Crokes won by a point, Cian O’Sullivan was excellent and so too was Paul Mannion and his goal. Two guaranteed All-Stars in waiting and they proved why.
https://twitter.com/eirSport/status/913857683790450689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportsjoe.ie%2Fgaa%2Fwatch-paul-mannion-carries-ball-beyond-45-drills-off-underside-crossbar-138251
“Sure what else would you spend a tenner on,” my sister said to me as we walked to the back of the stand to try spot which house was hers and if we could hop over the fence.And as somebody walked by me holding the Sam Maguire in their hands and hopped into a car I was in full agreement with her, where would €10 be better spent. Dublin, Mayo and the likes may be finished for the year but the GAA season is still alive and well.
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