Mark Connolly
Personal information
Full name Mark Gerard Connolly[1]
Date of birth (1991-12-16) 16 December 1991[2]
Place of birth Clones, Ireland
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Derry City
Number 6
Youth career
Monaghan United
0000–2009 Wolverhampton Wanderers
2009–2010 Bolton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2012 Bolton Wanderers 0 (0)
2010 → St Johnstone (loan) 1 (0)
2012 → Macclesfield Town (loan) 7 (0)
2012–2014 Crawley Town 69 (3)
2014–2016 Kilmarnock 36 (4)
2016–2019 Crawley Town 104 (5)
2019–2022 Dundee United 54 (1)
2021–2022 → Dunfermline Athletic (loan) 14 (1)
2022 → Dundalk (loan) 20 (1)
2022– Derry City 27 (0)
International career‡
2007–2008 Republic of Ireland U17 12 (1)
2008–2009 Republic of Ireland U19 5 (0)
2011 Republic of Ireland U21 7 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:07, 3 December 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 27 January 2018 (UTC)

Mark Gerard Connolly (born 16 December 1991) is an Irish footballer who plays for Derry City. He has previously played for Bolton Wanderers, St Johnstone, Macclesfield Town, Crawley Town, Kilmarnock, Dundee United, Dunfermline Athletic and Dundalk. Connolly has also represented the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level.

Club career

Bolton Wanderers

Connolly was signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers by Bolton Wanderers on the summer transfer deadline in 2009 after the clubs agreed a £1,000,000 fee.[3] Wolves later reported Bolton and their assistant manager Chris Evans, a former academy director at Wolves, for an illegal approach for the player.[4] Connolly later stated he was unaware of the transfer fee Bolton had paid.[5]

On the January transfer dealine day of 2010, Connolly signed on loan for St Johnstone until the end of the season.[6] He made his debut on 27 March 2010 in the loss to Hamilton Academical.[7]

During the 2011–12 season, Connolly was captain of Bolton Wanderers's reserve team and was on the substitutes bench for the first team in their League Cup win against Macclesfield Town and he then joined Macclesfield on 24 February 2012, on a months loan,[8] making his debut the following day in their 1–1 draw at Oxford United.

On 15 May 2012, Connolly confirmed on his Twitter account that he had left Bolton.[9] This was followed by confirmation from the club that Connolly was one of twelve players released following the club's relegation to the Championship.[10]

Crawley Town

On 9 July 2012, Crawley Town announced that Connolly had signed for them on a two-year contract.[11] Connolly later stated he joined Crawley because he wanted the chance to play first team football.[12] Connolly made his debut on 14 August, starting in a League Cup match as a right-back against Championship side Millwall which ended 2–2, with Crawley winning 4–1 on penalties.[13] He then made his league debut for Crawley, in the opening game of the season, in a 3–0 win over Scunthorpe United.[14] In late August 2012, Connolly was part of the Crawley team which successfully defeated Bolton in the League Cup thanks to a last minute goal by Nicky Ajose.[15] In November 2012, after an earlier spell out of the side, Connolly spoke of his enjoyment at getting back in the team and playing regular first team games.[16] On 1 January 2013, he scored his first Crawley Town goal in the 5th minute, in a 3–0 win over Colchester United.[17] In a home match against Brentford on 26 February 2013, Connolly gave away a penalty and received a red card after 50 seconds, with Crawley going on to lose 2–1.[18] He returned after being on the bench for five matches against Crewe on 26 March 2013.[19] Connolly's second goal for the club came on 20 April 2013, in a 2–1 loss against Oldham Athletic.[20] In his first season at Crawley Town, Connolly scored twice in 35 appearances for the club.

In his second season, Connolly remained at the club after being linked with a move to Championship clubs following his performances during the previous season.[21] He spent most of the first half of the season on the bench before regaining his first team place. Connolly then scored his first goal of the season, with a header, in a 1–0 win over Notts County on 29 December 2013.[22] He went on to make 40 appearances in all competitions. Despite the club starting negotiations over a new contract,[23] Connolly was among 11 players released at the end of the 2013–14 season.[24]

Kilmarnock

Connolly signed a three-year contract with Scottish club Kilmarnock in July 2014.[25] He made his debut on 9 August 2014, in a 1–1 draw with Dundee[26] Connolly then scored his first Kilmarnock goal from a header and earlier set up a goal for Robbie Muirhead, in a 2–1 win over St Mirren[27] A few weeks later on 3 October 2014, he scored his second goal of the season, in a 2–0 win over Dundee United.[28] On 22 February 2015, Connolly was injured during Kilmarnock's 3–3 draw against Inverness Caledonian Thistle[29] and it was later confirmed he had broken his collarbone with the injury expected to keep him out for the remainder of the season.[30] He returned from injury earlier than expected against Motherwell on 8 May 2015.[31]

Ahead of the 2015–16 season Connolly was named as captain of Kilmarnock, replacing Manuel Pascali who had left the club earlier in the summer.[32] On 23 May 2016, he had his contract cancelled.[33]

Return to Crawley Town

On 2 July 2016, Connolly re-joined Crawley Town preceding his contract expiry from Kilmarnock.[34] On 6 August 2016, he made his Crawley return in a 1–0 victory against Wycombe Wanderers, playing the full 90 minutes.[35] On 1 October 2016, Connolly scored the winner in Crawley's 1–0 victory over Blackpool, netting in the 69th minute.[36]

Dundee United

On 31 January 2019, Connolly signed for Dundee United of the Scottish Championship for an undisclosed fee, on a two-and-a-half-year contract.[37] He scored his first goal for the club on 4 January 2020, the only goal of their away match against Queen of the South, in what was his first appearance in the starting lineup since the previous August.[38] He was part of the United team that were 14 points clear at the top of the Championship table when the 2019–20 season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; they were subsequently declared champions and promoted to the Premiership.[39] In August 2020 he extended his contract with the club until 2023.[40] The following month, he was charged with "not acting in the best interests of football" and breaching COVID regulations, when he allegedly refused to wear a face mask in a taxi.[41] He was subsequently given a suspended two-match ban at a Scottish Football Association disciplinary hearing.[42] In May 2021, Connolly snapped his cruciate ligament in a Premiership match against Motherwell, and was expected to be out injured for several months.[43]

Connolly was loaned to Dunfermline Athletic in September 2021.[44] He departed the club in January 2022 after playing every minute of his 14 appearances for the club, scoring 1 goal.[45]

On 17 January 2022, Connolly returned to his home country, signing for League of Ireland Premier Division club Dundalk on a six-month loan deal.[46][47] Dundalk confirmed on 22 July 2022 that Connolly had been recalled by Dundee United following his loan spell.[48]

Derry City

After ending his loan spell at Dundalk, Dundee United sold Connolly to Derry City on 28 July 2022 for an undisclosed fee.[49]

Career statistics

As of match played on 3 November 2023[50][51]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bolton Wanderers 2009–10 Premier League 000000–00
2010–11 000000–00
2011–12 000000–00
Total 000000–00
St Johnstone (loan) 2009–10 Scottish Premier League 100000–10
Macclesfield Town (loan) 2011–12 League Two 70–––70
Crawley Town 2012–13 League One 33230202[lower-alpha 1]0402
2013–14 36130001[lower-alpha 1]0401
Total 693602030803
Kilmarnock 2014–15 Scottish Premiership 2621020–292
2015–16 1020000–102
Total 3641020–394
Crawley Town 2016–17 League Two 41310103[lower-alpha 2]0463
2017–18 402100000412
2018–19 230201100261
Total 10454021301136
Dundee United 2018–19 Scottish Championship 9020004[lower-alpha 3]0150
2019–20 171203000221
2020–21 Scottish Premiership 2500040–290
2021–22 10–00–10
Total 521407040671
Dunfermline Athletic (loan) 2021–22 Scottish Championship 14110––151
Dundalk (loan) 2022 LOI Premier Division 201–––201
Derry City 2022 LOI Premier Division 11051––161
2023 16010–7[lower-alpha 4]0240
Total 27061–70401
Career total 3301522113117038217
  1. 1 2 Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  2. ↑ Appearances in the EFL Trophy
  3. ↑ Appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs
  4. ↑ 5 appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League & 1 appearance in the President of Ireland's Cup

Honours

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 33. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Mark Connolly". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  3. ↑ "Mark Connolly – the £1million kid". The Bolton News. 17 September 2009. Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  4. ↑ "Wolves report Bolton over alleged illegal approach for academy player". The Guardian. 6 October 2009.
  5. ↑ "I never knew my signing fee for Bolton was £1m, says St Johnstone loan kid Mark Connolly". Daily Record. 14 February 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  6. ↑ "St Johnstone sign Bolton defender Mark Connolly". BBC Sport. 2 February 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  7. ↑ "Wesolowski seals Accies win". Sky Sports. 27 March 2010.
  8. ↑ "Connolly Joins Macclesfield on Loan". bwfc.co.uk. 24 February 2012. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  9. ↑ "Mark Connolly Official Twitter Account". Twitter. 15 May 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  10. ↑ "Davies signs and 12 go as Coyle prepares for Championship football". The Bolton News. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  11. ↑ "Connolly joins Reds". crawleytownfc.com. 9 July 2012. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  12. ↑ "Connolly keen to be in the thick of things". Crawley Observer. 11 July 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  13. ↑ "Millwall 2–2 Crawley (1–4 pens)". BBC Sport. 14 August 2012.
  14. ↑ "Crawley Town 3–0 Scunthorpe United". BBC Sport. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  15. ↑ "Crawley Town 2–1 Bolton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  16. ↑ "Connolly enjoying extended run". Sky Sports. 28 November 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  17. ↑ "Crawley Town 3–0 Colchester United". BBC Sport. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  18. ↑ "Crawley Town 1–2 Brentford". BBC Sport. 26 February 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  19. ↑ "Crawley Town v Crewe: Reds welcome back international duo". Crawley Observer. 26 March 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  20. ↑ "Oldham Athletic 1–2 Crawley Town". BBC Sport. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  21. ↑ "Transfer news: Championship sides chasing Crawley defender Mark Connolly". Sky Sports. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  22. ↑ "Crawley Town 1–0 Notts County". BBC Sport. 29 December 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  23. ↑ "Contract talks set to start at Crawley Town". Crawley Observer. 3 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  24. ↑ Crawley Town: Paul Jones among 11 released by League One club, BBC Sport
  25. ↑ Kilmarnock sign defender Mark Connolly, BBC Sport
  26. ↑ McLeod, Liam (9 August 2014). "Dundee 1-1 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  27. ↑ "Kilmarnock 2–1 St Mirren". BBC Sport. 13 September 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  28. ↑ "Kilmarnock 2–0 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  29. ↑ Dowden, Martin (22 February 2015). "Inverness CT 3-3 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  30. ↑ "Kilmarnock: Mark Connolly out for season – fears over Jamie Hamill". BBC Sport. 27 February 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  31. ↑ Halliday, Stephen (14 May 2015). "Mark Connolly back after Kilmarnock injury hell". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  32. ↑ "Mark Connolly named Kilmarnock captain for new season". BBC Sport. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  33. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  34. ↑ "Conns is back". Crawley Town Official Site. 2 July 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  35. ↑ "Crawley Town 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers". BBC Sport. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  36. ↑ "Crawley Town 1-0 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 1 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  37. ↑ "Dundee Utd sign Osman Sow, Mark Reynolds, Peter Pawlett, Calum Butcher & Mark Connolly". BBC Sport. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  38. ↑ "Connolly keeps United 14 points clear". BBC Sport. 4 January 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  39. ↑ Deanie, Marc (16 April 2020). "Dundee United defender Mark Connolly salutes his family and club's fans following Championship title triumph". The Courier. Dundee. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  40. ↑ "No 'knee-jerk' signings at Tannadice". BBC Sport. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  41. ↑ "Dundee Utd's Connolly charged by SFA". BBC Sport. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  42. ↑ Roache, Ian (1 October 2020). "Dundee United defender Mark Connolly given suspended two-match ban for breach of SFA rules covering coronavirus conduct". The Courier. Dundee. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  43. ↑ "Mark Connolly set for lengthy Dundee United lay-off after nightmare cruciate diagnosis". The Courier. Dundee. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  44. ↑ Nicolson, Eric (29 September 2021). "Dundee United defender Mark Connolly joins Dunfermline on loan". The Courier. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  45. ↑ "Pars Big Yin bows out on a high | Dunfermline Athletic Football Club". dafc.co.uk.
  46. ↑ "Dundalk's recruitment drive continues as Mark Connolly joins on loan". The independent.
  47. ↑ "CONNOLLY LOANED TO DUNDALK". Dundee United Football Club.
  48. ↑ "Connolly Recalled by Dundee United". 22 July 2022.
  49. ↑ "Mark Connolly joins Derry City from Dundee United for undisclosed fee". BT Sport. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  50. ↑ https://int.soccerway.com/players/mark-connolly/203969/
  51. ↑ "Mark Connolly career statistics". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  52. ↑ "Dundalk defender Mark Connolly scoops Player of the Month award". 14 July 2022.
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