Ah how do you know James can't do that snuff? For all we know James could be a fine hurler as well, you would often see that players that are good at one sport are good at others as well.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 18/03/2014 20:50:49    1561819

Hurlingdub
Well said.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 18/03/2014 21:44:34    1561852

Declan O'Sullivan would make Dublin team too. Another top forward

Gael85 (Dublin) - Posts: 1433 - 18/03/2014 21:45:24    1561853

TBH I never really liked the lad. Although based on pure footballing ability there aren't many who would touch him at the minute. His acceleration and ball skills allow him to seem as if he always has an age on the ball. A true mark of a top top footballer. He used to be rather inconsistent but in the past 2 years has probably been one of the most consistent in Ireland. True masterclass yesterday hitting scores with both feet. If it wasn't for off field antics he would get a hell of a lot more praise. Although considering all the crap he is going through at minute he is playing some football. Best performance ever? Not far of it.

DLlegends (Donegal) - Posts: 503 - 18/03/2014 21:49:35    1561862

I find him difficult to like as well given his history but when he plays like that I think he's the most enjoyable player to watch in the country along with the gooch. His balance, speed, intelligence and ball work is just flawless, it's just a pity that those performances are rare in a blue shirt, hopefully he finds that level consistently in future.

I think it was seany that mentioned it but his passing is unbelievable and under rated. There was one pass he hit about 30 or 40 yards to play in the corner forward through on goal in the first half, just class.

CaisleanCnucha (Dublin) - Posts: 1379 - 19/03/2014 09:25:10    1561898

i genuinely believe that he is the most talented forward in the country bar gooch, i honestly believe that

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 19/03/2014 10:11:29    1561917

Liamwalkinstown
County: Dublin
Posts: 5353

1561917 i genuinely believe that he is the most talented forward in the country bar gooch, i honestly believe that

You better not let Royaldunne hear you saying that.

Greenfield (Meath) - Posts: 524 - 19/03/2014 10:24:58    1561926

Liam there's not doubt about it he is, only Gooch is better.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 19/03/2014 10:25:59    1561928

Liamwalkinstown
County: Dublin
Posts: 5353

1561917
i genuinely believe that he is the most talented forward in the country bar gooch, i honestly believe that


He's up there with the likes of Colm O'Neill, Cillian O'Connor, Michael Murphy, Bernard Brogan but all those guys have done it consistently at Inter-County.

Cute_Kerry_Hoor (Kerry) - Posts: 2518 - 19/03/2014 10:27:27    1561929

CKH i wouldnt have COC in that list or anywhere near it
and i dont think Murphy has been as consistent as you might think atall in recent years. McFadden has been Donegals main man,not Murphy.
Colm O'Neill could be but his career has stalled too much yet to put him in that class....yet

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 19/03/2014 11:07:29    1561951

Liam I was just about to post everything you just said there, COC has been poor in 2 all Ireland finals O Neill couldn't get a start in '10 and Murphy blow hot and cold all the time.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 19/03/2014 11:25:08    1561962

Fair enough points I suppose Liam but surely they are all as talented as Diarmuid on their day?

Cute_Kerry_Hoor (Kerry) - Posts: 2518 - 19/03/2014 11:30:17    1561969

the only one of them i would say could be as talented as him CHK is O'Neill and that is yet to be seen.

To say COC could be as talented as Diarmuid Connolly is to either grossly under rate Connollys raw talent or completely over rate O'Connors.

COC is a fine fine footballer. I would liken him in ability to Paul Kerrigan or Mark McHugh.
He is not in the same class as Connolly in terms of sheer raw talent.
Bernard Brogan is not as talented as Connolly, he really isnt

Connolly is THAT Capable. Only Gooch has more.

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 19/03/2014 11:38:43    1561975

I think Mossy's quote below sums it up very well....

When he performs, he's up there with the best in the country. The goal and the challenge for him is to perform week-in, week-out," Quinn remarked to the Irish Daily Star.

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4266 - 19/03/2014 12:10:08    1561997

Diarmuid Connolly is a very talented player but he dosent deliver very often for Dublin. The term natural footballer is so apt for Diarmuid but that dosent always win games. I dont think Michael Murphy or Cillian O'Connor could deliver a performance like D.C.did
in Lá Fheíle Phadraig. However with the pool of talent Dublin have at their disposal I think Diarmuid Connolly is replaceable on the Dublin team but Bernard Brogan is not replaceable.

fainleog (Limerick) - Posts: 602 - 19/03/2014 12:11:13    1561999

He's far from flawless, not the most consistent either, but he has turned up in all of Dublin's and Vincent's big games and that's what counts for me!

But these threads are stored as ammo, first poor game he has this summer and... oh look, theres that Diarmuid Connolly thread that was going around in March, let's leave it at that lads.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8756 - 19/03/2014 12:29:10    1562013

A few more performances like that and I would be happy to pile on the praise but the reality is he has had more off-games that stellar performances.

As a one-off though it was a magnificent display. I thought he was a bit greedy at times when it was clear his confidence was up but when it comes off you cant really complain. It was just one of those days for him

benjyyy (Donegal) - Posts: 1428 - 19/03/2014 13:06:39    1562033

Liamwalkinstown
County: Dublin
Posts: 5355

1561917
i genuinely believe that he is the most talented forward in the country bar gooch, i honestly believe that

He's right up there Liam, no doubt about it.
The only quibble I would have is that not all forwards are the same. Some are big target men, others are speed merchants, some are playmakers & some are finishers like Connolly.
Now granted the great forwards have all the talents to a greater or lesser degree but as a finisher Connolly's performance was superb. As a target No. 14 he might struggle.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 19/03/2014 13:21:14    1562036

great performance no doubt , greatest ever ? well not convinced , so much has to be taken into account opposition , conditions , quality of team mates doing the donkey work , its certainly one of the best club performances in recent times , he has shown us yet again the xfactor he has its up to him to produce it consistently this year , no longer a youngster hope this is his season .

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 19/03/2014 13:27:06    1562045

Padraig Joyce in the 2001 final.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8006 - 19/03/2014 16:13:55    1562104