Senan Connell says failing to represent Dublin in an All-Ireland final is one of the ultimate disappointments of his life.
The former Dublin star collected three Leinster titles during his playing days but never managed to progress beyond the All-Ireland semi-final stages.
Dublin face Tyrone in Sunday’s All-Ireland final looking to claim their fourth All-Ireland in a row and it is an achievement that Conell is extremely envious of.
“I still haven’t made peace with the Dubs rocking around with five All-Irelands in seven [years] – I just can’t get over this,” Connell told the Saturday Panel.
“It’s unbelievable that they’re going for six in eight. And for us to be so close and not get to a final and not get there, was one of the ultimate disappointments I’ve had in my life.
“It’s that jealousy factor when I’m watching these lads on television playing in All-Ireland finals. It’s still in me when I see them running out.”
Connell came closest to breaking his All-Ireland final duck in the 2002 semi-final with Armagh but also pointed to the quarter-final loss to Tyrone as another missed opportunity.
“We had a great chance in 2002 against Armagh and in 2005 against Tyrone,” Connell added.
Senan Connell (right) was speaking on the Saturday Panel in association with Benetti Menswear
“The media – because they’re based in Dublin – were making us favourites for games and just drove it through the roof.
“It was totally unjustified because we were coming from a base where we weren’t good enough to beat the best teams.
“But we discovered a load of new players. Alan Brogan and Barry Cahill came in – you had [Paul] Casey and these lads – and all of a sudden we had a new team.
“The Leinster title was like and All-Ireland for us and we had a full house with glitz, glamour and razzmatazz.
“We just couldn’t get over the line against these lads [Tyrone] and Armagh. We were five or six ahead at half time [against Tyrone] and I remember Dessie in the changing room saying: ‘Expect anything to happen’.
“I think there was nine changes at half time between personnel and moves. I remember talking to Colin Moran and he was marking Philip Jordan – Philip Jordan was nowhere near him in the second half.”
The Saturday Panel was brought to you in association with Benetti Menswear – Ireland’s leading Menswear provider.
James Hopper
