Connolly’s return is a strength for Dublin, says Harte

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has lavished praise on Dublin footballer Diarmuid Connolly ahead of the sides’ All-Ireland Football Championship semi-final.

Connolly is available for the last-four clash at Croke Park on Sunday, after a 12-week suspension for laying a hand on linesman Ciaran Brannigan in the Dubs’ Leinster quarter-final clash with Carlow.

Connolly’s return adds yet more firepower to Dublin’s impressive arsenal, an element that has not been missed by Harte. The Tyrone boss feels Connolly has developed hugely as a player since he featured in the clash between the sides in the All-Ireland quarter-finals in 2011, when Connolly scored seven points, en route to a Dublin victory.

"He's a Connolly-plus now from 2011, which means that we've got to be very careful. Probably at that stage, he hadn't developed as much power as he has now,” said Harte.

"Obviously you would be a fool to dismiss the influence that Diarmuid Connolly can have on any game - and has had over many years.

"He's absolutely a quality player, and has developed even into a better player than he was than when he first came on the scene, where he had all the natural talent and skill and ability. But he's a powerful player now along with that as well.

"Jim Gavin will decide how and when we see him, and in what context. So I really can't say much about the detail, but I know for sure that he's certainly a strength that Dublin didn't have in their games since he got that [suspension]."

Image: Inpho/Tommy Dickson

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