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HS Posters, would YOU start Connolly?

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This whole "not match fit" is complete nonsense! He didn't just stop playing football for 12 weeks or go on a Diego Costa holiday. There is no doubt that DC has probably been at every Dubin training and own individual training on top of that. Dublin have a very competitive team and a second string team would be just as competitive as teams in the QF's So lets please rule that scenario out. Find_the_space (Tyrone) - Posts: 313 - 24/08/2017 18:39:34 2037293 Link
Yes for me. Scores may be hard to come from in the first half. Can see a lot of long range attempts and DC is one of the best at hitting them from all angles and distances. poguemahone (Dublin) - Posts: 365 - 24/08/2017 21:27:46 2037328 Link
With Dublin's depth of talent, I think he will be on the bench and make his entrance early in the 2nd half. Otherwise it would undermine the setup Jim Gavin prides himself on, where players can fight for their place and hold their place based on performances. GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 24/08/2017 23:18:37 2037369 Link
Its genuinely hard to say, Gavin usually cuts his cloth to measure. So with Tyrone playing the way they do, I expect a Dublin team full of pace and very few specialized players for man to man match ups. For example, I think Lowndes and Scully will start at the expense of Fitzsimons and Con O'Callaghan. Both players can get up and down the field non stop which is what Dublin need to counter a lot of what Tyrone bring to the table. I expect Dublin to try to match Tyrone at their own game in a lot of aspects for 2 thirds of the game and in the last third, unleash the likes of Mick McCauley, Paul Flynn and Bernard Brogan. So in that regard, I think Connolly will start in the half forward line with McCaffrey going back to wing back. Perhaps Connolly coming in for special attention from Tyrone is what Gavin is counting on. If Connolly can keep his head, it could be very effective in keeping Tyrone distracted. keithlemon (Australia) - Posts: 920 - 25/08/2017 10:23:46 2037443 Link
I would not start him, I think for all his natural ability he is often does not have as much influence on games as people think and this Dublin team has many other top players. I also think if he was coming on as a sub fresh later on in game when the opposition is tiring a bit he might get a bit more space allowing him to be more effective. Also him coming on in the second half would lift the Dublin support in the stadium which would help the team. bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1340 - 25/08/2017 11:20:58 2037465 Link
No, bring him in in the last 20-15 mins oakleafersir (Derry) - Posts: 808 - 25/08/2017 11:23:50 2037468 Link
100% start him He's in great shape and very much needed - I don't see any downside whatsoever in starting such a hugely talented footballer who has proven big game quality. You don't lose what he has by not playing in 2nd gear nothing games against Westmeath, Kildare, Monaghan The break might have actually done him a bit of good His inclusion would be a hugely positive factor for the Dublin setup jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 25/08/2017 11:35:09 2037473 Link
Yes I would. Connolly is a fantastic footballer and will be needed against the mean Tyrone defense. yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11227 - 25/08/2017 11:35:16 2037474 Link
Would the fact that a black card for him means he misses the final colour anyones opinion? Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 25/08/2017 11:41:10 2037478 Link
Replying To Liamwalkinstown: "Would the fact that a black card for him means he misses the final colour anyones opinion?" I honestly was not aware of that. yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11227 - 25/08/2017 12:12:53 2037499 Link
Replying To yew_tree: "I honestly was not aware of that." Would that change your mind Yew? Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 25/08/2017 12:17:44 2037503 Link
Replying To Liamwalkinstown: "Would the fact that a black card for him means he misses the final colour anyones opinion?" Personally don't think that will stop JG picking him. If he doesn't start the game, It'll be because JG is sticking to his core values of the guy who has the jersey keeps it if he is performing in training. JG certainly wont be looking ahead to an all Ireland final until this tie is over and providing we get through it. As for your post in response to me, listen, you have a point, but I stick by what I said. I wouldn't start him but if he does start, fair dues and I look forward to seeing him back one way or the other. waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 25/08/2017 12:19:26 2037506 Link
Replying To Liamwalkinstown: "Would the fact that a black card for him means he misses the final colour anyones opinion?" And aswell as that, if he does get a black, he can appeal one of them. Obviously don't know if a black card v Tyrone is justified cause a possible incident hasn't taken place His one against Kerry was a certain black The one against Monaghan for me would get him off cause that was harsh in the extreme Reckon a black card and he would get to play the final if we get there on appeal. Red card and obviously he would miss it unless its two yellows (I think ?) waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 25/08/2017 12:28:50 2037512 Link
Replying To waynoI: "Personally don't think that will stop JG picking him. If he doesn't start the game, It'll be because JG is sticking to his core values of the guy who has the jersey keeps it if he is performing in training. JG certainly wont be looking ahead to an all Ireland final until this tie is over and providing we get through it. As for your post in response to me, listen, you have a point, but I stick by what I said. I wouldn't start him but if he does start, fair dues and I look forward to seeing him back one way or the other." C'mere, so long as we win Wayno, so long as we win........! Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 25/08/2017 12:31:52 2037515 Link
Replying To waynoI: "And aswell as that, if he does get a black, he can appeal one of them. Obviously don't know if a black card v Tyrone is justified cause a possible incident hasn't taken place His one against Kerry was a certain black The one against Monaghan for me would get him off cause that was harsh in the extreme Reckon a black card and he would get to play the final if we get there on appeal. Red card and obviously he would miss it unless its two yellows (I think ?)" The black card he picked up against Monaghan was a joke jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 25/08/2017 12:39:21 2037520 Link
No. Bring him off the bench early in the second half, he's bound to be wound up and the impact he would provide from the bench would be enourmous,he's not going to play the full 70 as he probably won;t have the match sharpness for that so better off to have him on the field at the end of the match. uibhfhaili1986 (Offaly) - Posts: 1296 - 25/08/2017 12:56:51 2037534 Link
No. Too much of a liability in terms of tendency to get black / red cards. He hasn't been playing very well this year. If he's going well in training, I'd have him on the bench. Pookie_Monster (Galway) - Posts: 32 - 25/08/2017 12:59:42 2037536 Link
Replying To Liamwalkinstown: "Would the fact that a black card for him means he misses the final colour anyones opinion?" He wouldn't miss the final as the final is exempt from the 3 black cards and you miss the next game rule. He'd miss the next competitive game. DannyMcA (Dublin) - Posts: 260 - 25/08/2017 13:15:48 2037543 Link
Replying To Liamwalkinstown: "Would that change your mind Yew?" No start him....do the damage and take him off in the second half if needed. IF the game is in the melting pot and Connolly comes on fired up, Tyrone players will target him as Mayo and others have done in the past. You start with your best players on the field. yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11227 - 25/08/2017 13:46:48 2037565 Link
Yes Brolly (Monaghan) - Posts: 4472 - 25/08/2017 14:05:36 2037577 Link