Lee Keegan: Diarmuid Connolly will still shine in Championship

Footballer of the year Lee Keegan has backed old adversary Diarmuid Connolly to return to the Championship with a bang in August after accepting his 12-week ban.

Dublin GAA, making their first comment on the Connolly case, confirmed in the wake of an unsuccessful plea to the Central Hearings Committee (CHC) that they will not exercise their right to an appeal.

It means the All-Star forward will be banned until the end of August when Dublin, should they win their next three games, will be preparing for an All-Ireland semi-final tie. Connolly is already playing catch-up on his colleagues having made just two competitive starts for Dublin this year and will face a major battle to be match-sharp for a winner takes all, ultra intensive semi-final in high summer.