Cian O’Sullivan hopes Diarmuid Connolly will resume his inter-county football career after making his return to Dublin championship action with St Vincent’s.
The 31-year-old spent the summer in Boston which resulted in him playing no part in his county’s All-Ireland championship triumph.
Connolly last appeared for his county in Dublin’s league victory over Mayo in Castlebar in February and has been linked with a return to action in 2019.
And O’Sullivan shared his excitement and hope that his teammate will decide to resume his inter-county career.
“You’d love to have Diarmuid back. He’s an incredible talent and one of the leaders in the team and our vice-captain in the last couple of years,” O’Sullivan told OTB.
“I’m glad he got the chance to go over and spend the summer in the States – something he obviously wanted to do over the last number of years.
“I hope he really enjoyed it and if he decides to come back and play football with the Dubs I’d be absolutely delighted and I know the rest of the lads would be as well.
“That’s a decision for him and I don’t have any insight into what he’s thinking these days. He’s just enjoying his time at the moment over there playing ball.”
St. Vincent's Diarmuid Connolly. Image: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
O’Sullivan also defended Connolly’s decision to spend the summer abroad and values his own experiences of travelling as a key reason behind his happiness at home.
“There are a couple of guys who’ve done that over the last couple of years,” O’Sullivan added.
“Rory O’Carroll decided he wanted to do a bit of travelling and experience living in a different country and culture.
“He’s been living over in New Zealand for the last couple of years. There’s Jack McCaffrey as well who decided he wanted to take a summer out and do a bit of charity work.
“We’re not professionals. We have lives to live as well. Football does take a massive commitment and you have to 100 per cent buy into it.
“I count myself very lucky that I didn’t start playing inter-county football until I was 21 or 22 and I got two summers away in college. I had one J1 over in the States and one summer inter-railing with my mates.
“I’ve memories and experiences from those two summers that I wouldn’t trade for anything. And I’m delighted I got them and got those things out of my system.
“Some guys haven’t been as lucky as that. They’ve come straight out of minor and they’re in the Dublin set-up. And like I said, it takes 100 per cent commitment.
“I can fully appreciate and understand when guys go and take that decision and think of trying something different for the summer.”
James Hopper
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