Dublin manager Dessie Farrell spoke about the decision of Diarmuid Connolly to retire from inter-county duty, and accepts it if a player’s heart is no longer in it.
BY SHANE STAPLETON
Dessie Farrell understands that if your heart isnโt in it, itโs time to move on.
The Dublin manager was asked about the recent departure of Diarmuid Connolly from the scene, and accepted that the St Vincentโs man would be a loss.
Jack McCaffrey previously decided to step away from the panel, while a number of veteran stars โ Bernard Brogan, Darren Daly and Eoghan OโGara โ also retired from inter-county duty.
The Dubs were back in action after seven and a half months on Saturday night, beating neighbours Meath by four points at Parnell Park.
Dean Rock stole the show with 1-8, while Con OโCallaghan and Ciaran Kilkenny were scoring threats when supplied with good ball.
โWe definitely spoke,โ says Farrell of his interactions with Connolly. โItโs the same for all our players.
โThereโs been a number that have left and have decided to move on.
โWe treat each and every one of them the same โ if your heart isnโt in it or you think itโs time for you to move on
“We 100% respect that decision and encourage them to do whatโs right by them and follow their heart.
โThatโs always important to us as a group. Itโs no different in a family, if someone wants to head away or emigrate you have to give them your blessing.
โThat was the case with Diarmuid and he did it with a bit of class as he always does.
โSure, heโs going to be a loss and there have been other losses but there are also other opportunities for new players, the likes of (corner-back) Cian Murphy tonight who was a great example.โ
The return of Gaelic games at club seemed to lift the mood of the nation, but the wind seems to have changed course in recent weeks.
The lack of social distancing at some matches, post-match celebrations, and the rising case numbers across the island have all added to the mood.
Leitrim were unable to send out a team to play against Down on Saturday, while Fermamaghโs panel was decimated ahead of todayโs trip to Clare.
โYeah it is,โ Farrell says. โBut I think players by their nature are resilient anyway.
โYouโve just got to compartmentalise it and theyโre aware of it, itโs in the back of their head.
โThey do all that they can to be vigilant to protect themselves and their families and weโre very conscious of that.
โTheyโve been great from that perspective to work with.
โThis doubt hangs over you constantly but thereโs nothing you can do except embrace it and be grateful for every day you get to come and play a game.
โThat uncertainty was out there for sure.
โI tell ya, itโs a lot better position to be in than we were at the start of lockdown when we thought everything was gone for the year.
โYou just get on with it, make do and embrace what comes your way.
โWeโre just delighted to be back at this stage.โ
Rock was exceptional once more, building on the form that helped Ballymun Kickhams regain the Dublin SFC title this season, and the forwardโs tally allowed him to become the countyโs highest-ever scorer.
โBig night for Dean, he played very well. Obviously his run with Ballymun Kickhams in the championship served him well and he looked sharp which was great.โ
