Given that he is one of the most talented footballers in the country, there has been great interest and speculation about Diarmuid Connolly's situation with the Dublin footballers in recent weeks.

Connolly's only action for Dublin in this year's league was as a second half replacement for Ciarán Kilkenny in February 24th's win against Mayo at MacHale Park. Last month, Jim Gavin said that Connolly was being rested and was still part of the Dublin squad.

Despite what Gavin has said, in today's Sunday Times Christy O'Connor reports that Connolly is currently not interested in playing either football or hurling. That includes at club level.

The 30-year has not been training with his club, St. Vincent's, and is not expected to take part in any of their upcoming Dublin football or hurling championship games.

It had been reported in the Irish edition of The Times on Thursday that Dublin hurling manager Pat Gilroy may invite Connolly to be part of his panel. However, according to Christy O'Connor, Connolly currently has priorities beyond GAA.


Exactly what the future holds for his inter-county career is unknown. Both a return to action in the latter stages of the championship for the Super 8s and him not playing footballer again this year are both possibilities.

Dublin may have extraordinary depth but when it comes to crunch time in the championship, as it did against Mayo in last year's final, not being able to call on Connolly would be a serious loss to Gavin's options.

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