Oisin McConville believes Diarmuid Connolly's sensational return to the Dublin football panel is good for the Dubs and for the game.
The 31-year-old's return comes just a few weeks after his transfer to Donegal Boston - who he won a Boston SFC title with last summer - fell through due to an ESTA visa issue. Connolly's last inter-county appearance was as a substitute in an Allianz League game against Mayo in February 2018, while his last significant act for the Dubs came in the 2017 All-Ireland final against the Westerners when he came off the bench and won the free-kick which Dean Rock scored to win Sam Maguire.
"It is a bit of a shock," the former Armagh star said on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland.
"Diarmuid was supposed to be playing a bit of football in the USA and that has changed. Not only is that for the betterment of Dublin, it is for the betterment of the country. He is one of those players with an X-factor and is one of those players that people all across the country want to see.
"I think it’s a positive move for both Dublin and Diarmuid Connolly."
McConville expects Connolly to feature as an impact sub as Dublin go in search of an unprecedented five-in-a-row.
"You’d find it very difficult to see Diarmuid Connolly starting any of the next couple of games if he’s only just back training," he continued.
"Maybe he is somebody to be used as a substitute in an All-Ireland semi-final, final but he has made such a difference to Dublin, even as a bit-part player over the last number of years.
"He came on in an All-Ireland final two years ago and he really was the difference."
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