Pat Gilroy's warning over the GAA embracing the money game should be heeded

In both the GAA and business worlds, the St Vincent's man is hugely respected so that gives extra weight to his concerns about the future direction of the GAA

IT'S not that long ago since a former Dublin player saw Diarmuid Connolly's number flash up on his phone.

He hadn't had any contact with Connolly for a while so was wondering what he wanted.

When he answered, the ex-Dub got an earful.

He'd been dabbling in punditry and had made the 'mistake' of describing Connolly as naturally talented.

Connolly rang up his former teammate to point out that he'd put endless hours of hard graft in to get to the level he was at, that it wasn't just about being born lucky.

Just a reminder that the notion that Dublin got to heights never reached before by any football team due to the gene pool or money or population is a myth. Things are far more nuanced than that.

Diarmuid Connolly didn't become the most skilful player to play for Dublin in decades because of natural talent or the Dubs having big money sponsors, or because Bertie Ahern diverted State funds to the county during his time as Taoiseach.

Instead, his progress was down to his own work and that of volunteer coaches with both St Vincent's and Dublin.

Thing is, though, money - serious money - is still important if you are to have any hope of competing at the top table in the GAA.