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Dessie Farrell: “if your heart isn’t in it, we respect that decision”

Dessie Farrell spoke about the decision of Diarmuid Connolly to retire, and accepts it if a player’s heart is no longer in it

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 isnโ€™t in it, itโ€™s time to move on.

The Dublin manager was asked about the recent departure of Diarmuid Connolly from the scene, and accepted that the St Vincentโ€™s 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 Oโ€™Gara โ€” also retired from inter-county duty.

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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 Oโ€™Callaghan and Ciaran Kilkenny were scoring threats when supplied with good ball.

โ€œWe definitely spoke,โ€ says Farrell of his interactions with Connolly. โ€œItโ€™s the same for all our players.

โ€œThereโ€™s been a number that have left and have decided to move on.

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โ€œWe treat each and every one of them the same โ€“ if your heart isnโ€™t in it or you think itโ€™s time for you to move on

“We 100% respect that decision and encourage them to do whatโ€™s right by them and follow their heart.

โ€œThatโ€™s always important to us as a group. Itโ€™s no different in a family, if someone wants to head away or emigrate you have to give them your blessing.

โ€œThat was the case with Diarmuid and he did it with a bit of class as he always does.

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โ€œSure, heโ€™s 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 Fermamaghโ€™s panel was decimated ahead of todayโ€™s trip to Clare.

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โ€œYeah it is,โ€ Farrell says. โ€œBut I think players by their nature are resilient anyway.

โ€œYouโ€™ve just got to compartmentalise it and theyโ€™re aware of it, itโ€™s in the back of their head.

โ€œThey do all that they can to be vigilant to protect themselves and their families and weโ€™re very conscious of that.

โ€œTheyโ€™ve been great from that perspective to work with.

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โ€œThis doubt hangs over you constantly but thereโ€™s nothing you can do except embrace it and be grateful for every day you get to come and play a game.

โ€œThat uncertainty was out there for sure.

โ€œI tell ya, itโ€™s a lot better position to be in than we were at the start of lockdown when we thought everything was gone for the year.

โ€œYou just get on with it, make do and embrace what comes your way.

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โ€œWeโ€™re 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 forwardโ€™s tally allowed him to become the countyโ€™s highest-ever scorer.

โ€œBig 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€

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