Diarmuid Connolly’s Dublin return has been welcomed by the panel, according to Ciaran Kilkenny.
Some pundits have speculated that Jim Gavin’s decision to bring Connolly back at this late stage of the summer won’t have gone down well with players fighting for matchday involvement.
“Great to have Diarmuid back in the group, a great lad, a great leader for the group,” argued Kilkenny. “Unbelievable talent as well. So it’s great to have him back in the team.
“Every own person has their own journey. Paul (Mannion) went off to China, Jack (McCaffrey) went off, I went off for a year (to play AFL), everyone goes off.
“That’s the great thing that Jim has and the group has, lads go off and.... they can make decisions, and Jim has an open door policy.
“If lads are performing really well with their clubs, they’re welcome to come back into the group. Diarmuid is playing really well with the club and the lads are just buzzing to have him back in.
“Not only is he a serious talent but he’s a serious leader within the group and has been for the last 10 years.”
Earlier this week, former Dubs boss Paul Caffrey said that he was the best player he had ever worked with.
“He’s got ridiculous talent,” acknowledged Kilkenny.
“I remember one time a couple of years ago we were walking off the field from training and the ball was on the 13-metre line, on the sideline, and off the deck off his weak foot he just slapped it over the bar.
“Yeah, a really special talent.
“It’s just great to have him on our team”.
If you haven't already, be sure to like our Irish Mirror Sport and Irish Mirror GAA pages on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
