Jim Gavin disappointed with goading of Diarmuid Connolly

Jim Gavin last night admitted to a sense of disappointment at the post-match confession from his counterpart Tom Cribbin that Westmeath had attempted to provoke Diarmuid Connolly into a loss of temper.

The Dublin forward was booked 27 minutes into yesterday’s Leinster final after bringing James Dolan to the ground in a headlock after the Westmeath defender ruffled his hair.

Dolan and teammate Kieran Martin were also booked after the subsequent 24-man kerfuffle.

“I honestly didn’t see it,” said Cribbin of the incident. “Look, I think there was nothing in it really, I don’t really know. And look, Diarmuid is a fabulous player. He can get a bit exciting (sic) at times and probably we were looking for him to get excited.

“We needed a whammy. We have to be fair. We have to be honest. We were hoping to try and entice him. Sure that’s what most teams do. But he’s a fabulous footballer. Just a fabulous footballer. One of the best in the country, if not the best.”

Gavin remarked that it wasn’t the first time he has seen Connolly goaded on the field of play. Mayo’s Lee Keegan admitted that he had provoked Connolly during last year’s drawn All-Ireland semi-final replay when the Dubliner had been sent off.

Gavin commended Fergal Kelly and his team of officials for the manner in which they dealt with yesterday’s flashpoint, including the decision to move Westmeath’s free forward after some Dublin players had words with him.

And as for Cribbin’s words?

“Yeah, it’s certainly not language that we use,” said Gavin. “We want defenders to win their own individual battles but not in any malicious or devious way. We want to play the game the right way. Sometimes players make mistakes, we understand that.

“I’m sure that number seven didn’t mean to do what he did but that just happens I suppose in the heat of the moment. Diarmuid is one of our most skilful players. We’ve seen in the past some of our skilful players being targeted as well. They didn’t complain.

“They never do complain to me. They just get on with it and that’s one of their hallmarks, that resilience.”

Meanwhile, defender James McCarthy should be fit for the county’s All-Ireland quarter-final in three weeks time, despite missing yesterday’s provincial final. Gavin spoke to McCarthy yesterday morning and the player gave him a positive update on his quad injury.