Diarmuid Connolly backs Stephen Cluxton after Meath blow as Dublin icon silences critics with Galway heroics

The Irish Sun

6 days ago

EVEN after Dublin failed to reach the Royal standard, Diarmuid Connolly never had any doubts about Stephen Cluxton's ability to justify his continued selection.
The performance of the legendary goalkeeper, 43, was heavily scrutinised following his side's elimination from the
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Diarmuid Connolly never had any doubts about Stephen Cluxton' despite some heavy criticism this season
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Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton put on a solid display in the clash against Galway
His kickouts were devoured as the
A nine-time All-Ireland SFC winner, Cluxton is now in his 23rd Championship campaign.
And he delivered an emphatic response to the questions that were raised by his contribution to the Leinster semi-final loss.
The seven-time All-Star played a starring role in Salthill as Dublin started their Sam Maguire campaign with an
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Asked if the fall-out from the Meath game left him concerned that this might prove to be one year too many for Cluxton, former team-mate Connolly said: 'No. I think what Stephen will give you.
"And you saw it there against Galway, he doesn't get too flustered about the nitty-gritty sort of small things.
'I'd never throw him under the bus anyway. I know the guy personally, I've trained with him for so long and I know the sort of work that he puts in behind the scenes.'
With the game's new rules requiring all kickouts to travel beyond the 40-metre arc, Connolly points out that responsibility for a malfunctioning restart does not rest entirely with a goalkeeper.
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The ex-Dublin forward remarked: 'It's easy to say, 'Stephen didn't kick 80 per cent today', and it's easy to blame him for the loss. For me, it's the guys out the field that have to show for the ball.
'It's very difficult for a goalkeeper now. They have to get it off within a certain amount of time and they have to kick it for a distance now.
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"If they don't have the options out the field, that can't happen, so you can't solely blame that on the keeper.
'But against Galway, that was completely different.
'There were options out the field and I thought Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, when we did have to go long, he either broke it or won his own ball. That's a huge thing.'
Cluxton was at the centre of some key moments as Dublin eked out their 1-18 to 2-14 win against Galway.
As well as producing a vital first-half save to deny Shane Walsh a goal, the pinpoint accuracy of a last-minute kickout started the move that culminated in Tom Lahiff's winning score.
Dubs boss Dessie Farrell will hope for another big performance from his most senior statesman when the campaign resumes against All-Ireland champions Armagh at Croke Park on Sunday.
And Connolly added: 'Stephen answered the questions like he usually does.
"It was difficult for him against Meath — they really pressed the kickout but I thought we hadn't got a lot of options out the field and we had more against Galway for him.'
l DIARMUID CONNOLLY was speaking in his role as a BoyleSports ambassador