Diarmuid Connolly: “Now Costello Has To Answer Questions On Consistency”

All-Ireland winner Diarmuid Connolly has said ex-teammate Cormac Costello has to become more consistent to hold on to his jersey after starring in Dublin’s National League victory over Roscommon.

Costello hit 1-13 in the absence of Dean Rock during Dublin’s opener and Connolly said that he has to seize his opportunity.

He said: “Cormac Costello can turn on the style and finish off a game in a couple of minutes.”

“…But for me what he needs now is consistency in his game. He needs to get this jersey and hold on to it. Last week he was the leader in the forward line along with Ciarán Kilkenny.

“Can he play in a team that also includes Dean Rock? Why not? Cormac’s a very creative player, he sees passes that other people don’t and he can play out the field as well at 10, 11 or 12. He’s interchangeable in that forward line and it’s a great headache for the manager to have. There is an opportunity for him now, but can he put himself in there? That’s what he has to answer over the next couple of months because we know the magic is there.”

Connolly also warned that Dublin have more to worry about than David Clifford as they prepare to go head-to-head with Kerry at Thurles on Sunday:

“David Clifford is emerging into a very big leader for this Kerry group, how many superlatives do you want about the guy? But Sean O’Shea was a go-to guy too, kicking frees and giving great balls into the supply line inside. He never stands and admires his pass, he’s always moving and always on his toes. I thought he gave the Kerry half forward line something different.”