Six-time All-Ireland champion Diarmuid Connolly has warned favourites Kilmacud Crokes they won’t have it all their own way in this weekend’s Club Football final at Croke Park.
The Stillorgan side are odds-on favourites for Sunday’s showdown, but Connolly believes Ulster champions Glen will be the side celebrating at full-time if they get the better of a fierce anticipated battle in midfield.
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“Shane Walsh has been a massive addition to the Kilmacud side,” Connolly admitted to BoyleSports.
Former Dublin teammate Paul Mannion also drew praise from Connolly ahead of the big game on Sunday.
"We all know what Paul Mannion can do too and Croke Park will suit him. He was unlucky with injury last year too and his absence in the final was probably a big factor in them not winning it. So if they can get Paul Mannion minutes on this pitch, it’ll be a big plus for them."
“But this Glen side are very, very strong, they have a great midfield and strong forwards, so I see it being a tighter affair than most people are predicting."
"These are the guys who drive them forward; they win the kickouts and it’ll be a massive battle in there – Ben Shovlin and Craig Dias will be pushed to the pin of their collar I’d imagine."
"Shovlin was taken off early last time, so there may even be a change to nullify the influence of Glass and Bradley. That’ll be huge."
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The Stillorgan side are odds-on favourites for Sunday’s showdown, but Connolly believes Ulster champions Glen will be the side celebrating at full-time if they get the better of a fierce anticipated battle in midfield.
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Shane Walsh Draws Praise From Dublin Legend
Connolly praised Galway footballer Shane Walsh who recently joined Kilmacud Crokes.“Shane Walsh has been a massive addition to the Kilmacud side,” Connolly admitted to BoyleSports.
He’s (Walsh) one of the top players in the country at the moment, so they’ll want to get him on the ball so he can dictate the play.""
Former Dublin teammate Paul Mannion also drew praise from Connolly ahead of the big game on Sunday.
"We all know what Paul Mannion can do too and Croke Park will suit him. He was unlucky with injury last year too and his absence in the final was probably a big factor in them not winning it. So if they can get Paul Mannion minutes on this pitch, it’ll be a big plus for them."
Connolly Pinpoints Midfield As Key Battleground
Connolly was full of admiration for Glen's quality in the middle of the field. He sees this area of the pitch as being underlooked by many people who think that Kilmacud will have an easy time of it.“But this Glen side are very, very strong, they have a great midfield and strong forwards, so I see it being a tighter affair than most people are predicting."
One area they have the edge is the goalkeeper position, but for me Conor Glass and Emmett Bradley are the lynchpin in the middle.""
"These are the guys who drive them forward; they win the kickouts and it’ll be a massive battle in there – Ben Shovlin and Craig Dias will be pushed to the pin of their collar I’d imagine."
"Shovlin was taken off early last time, so there may even be a change to nullify the influence of Glass and Bradley. That’ll be huge."
Diarmuid Connolly's Club Final Prediction
The 6-time All-Ireland winner with Dublin is predicting that Glen have what it takes to do the business this weekend in headquarters. A win would mean revenge for this Glen side that were narrowly beaten by Crokes last season.They were beaten by Kilmacud last year, but for me they were the better side on the day and they were nipped just at the end by a goal. I actually fancy Glen to win this.""
All-Ireland Club Football Final Betting Odds
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