"I Don't Think I'm A Cynical Player" - Diarmuid Connolly
Dublin forward Diarmuid Connolly doesn’t believe he needs to change the way he plays the game.
The St Vincent’s club man man was black carded in the recent Allianz League win over Monaghan; he got his marching orders for cynical play the following week in the Allianz League final loss to Kerry.
Former Dublin players Charlie Redmond and John O’Leary have both been critical of Connolly after back to back black cards.
Redmond told 98FM’s Now That’s What I Call Sport that Connolly needed to improve his discipline:
“He has a fiery side there’s no doubt about that, he’ll have to learn to control that, one thing Dublin can’t have is a player of his quality not on the field.
“If he doesn’t curb it Jim Gavin will have to take some action.”
In an interview with the RTÉ O'Leary claimed that Connolly's 'petulant streak' could cost the Dubs dearly this summer.
Connolly though is not taking much notice of his detractors:
“That's external stuff I can't control that, I actually didn't read John O'Leary's piece I can't really comment on something I don't know, whatever.
"I don’t read the papers, I don’t listen to the radio so I’m oblivious to all the stuff. You can read the good stuff and you can read the bad stuff so it’ll all chip away at you so I just don’t bother.
Connolly doesn't feel he needs to change to game on the back of successive black cards:
"No I don’t think so, I don't think I'm a cynical player by nature. A lot of my strengths are going forward and attacking and stuff like that.
"We've a couple of games coming up now in the club championship and I just want to prepare well for them and hopefully stay on the field for them and then we'll roll into the Championship with the Dublin team."
"I felt like in the game I started well in the game and I was moving well, a little bit of a rush of blood under the Cusack Stand curtailed me just before half-time.
"Looking on, it wasn't easy but these things happen, of course you're frustrated. I've looked back at the game and I've no arguments about it.
"It was a black card under the letter of the law so you have to suck it up, learn, and move on. That's all you can do."
Diarmuid Connolly was speaking to 98FM's Darren Cleary at the launch of the Beko Club Bua award scheme, a new club accreditation and health check system co-ordinated by Leinster GAA for clubs in the province.
For more information visit Leinstergaa.ie
You can listen to the full interview Sunday from 9AM on 98FM's Now That's What I Call Sport with Jamie Moore.
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