Diarmuid Connolly made a welcome return to the playing field last night.

24 hours after Dublin manager Jim Gavin effectively ruled the two-time All-Star out of inter-county duty this summer, he made a surprise appearance for the St Vincent's hurlers in a league encounter.

Connolly was introduced as a second-half substitute in a HL Division 1 fixture with Craobh Chiaráin at Páirc Naomh Uinsionn.

Speculation about the five-time All-Ireland winner's inter-county future has been rife in recent times as he hasn't donned the sky blue jersey since the league victory over Mayo in Castlebar back in February.

His absence from St Vincent's opening two games in the defence of their Dublin SFC crown added fuel to that speculation.

Gavin did say at Thursday's Leinster SFC launch that "the door will always be open for Diarmuid" so there may still be a chance that he could play a part in the Sky Blues' Sam Maguire Cup four-in-a-row bid.

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