The Dublin footballers look set to lose a key member of their backroom team when performance expert Fergus Connolly takes up a job with the San Francisco 49ers this weekend. The 37-year-old from Monaghan, who was one of Jim Gavin's key advisors during Dublin's march to last year's All-Ireland, will head up the sports science programme at the five-time Super Bowl champions beginning this Sunday.

It is unclear how this will affect his role with the Dublin squad but since it is a full-time position demanding him to be based on America’s west coast for the next year, his opportunities to interact with the Dubs are likely to be few.

“Fergus has been abroad on business with his other clients, so I’ve not spoken to him since the NFL final,” said Gavin last night. “As far as we are concerned he’s still available to fulfil his role as an advisor to the Dublin Football team, so business as normal.”

Connolly’s new role will be to oversee the physical side of performance at the 49ers, similar to what he did with Liverpool and the Welsh rugby team in the past. He has previously worked with a broad spectrum of teams across the world as a consultant, ranging from Chelsea and Bolton in soccer to Munster in rugby to the Chicago Bulls and various NFL teams including the Cleveland Browns.