Dublin star Diarmuid Connolly returns to club action

Diarmuid Connolly made a return to competitive action when coming on as a second-half substitute for St Vincent’s in their Dublin Adult Hurling League Division 1 encounter against Craobh Chiaráin at Páirc Naomh Uinsionn last night.

There has been much speculation about the five-time All- Ireland football winner in recent months as he has failed to appear for both club and county since been used as a second-half substitute in Dublin’s league victory over Mayo in Castlebar on February 24.

Jim Gavin insisted at yesterday’s launch for the Leinster Senior Football Championship that the door would always remain open for Connolly but his appearance last night still came as a surprise given the relatively low-key nature of the fixture.