Ryan Connolly
Encyclopedia
Ryan Connolly is an Irish
professional footballer, currently playing for Scottish First Division
side Ayr United
on loan from Football League Championship
side Derby County
. He plays as a left sided midfielder
and has represented the Republic of Ireland
at U-16 level.
in February 2010 before making his full debut as a late substitute in Derby's 2–0 victory over Cardiff City
on the final day of the 2009–10 season
. Although primarily involved with the youth team – scoring twice in a 6–1 win over Peterborough United
in the FA Youth Cup -Connolly also appeared for the Derby County Reserves side which won the 2009–10 Central League Central Section title, starting three of his nine appearances and scoring the winner in a 1–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday
. He was named as Derby's Scholar of the Year for the 2009/10 season and signed his first professional deal with the club on 8 July 2010.
Connolly's career suffered a setback when he suffered a cruciate ligament injury during a Under 18's friendly in August 2010, which ruled him out for six months. Despite this setback he was given a new one year contract extension, alongside compariate Jeff Hendrick
, in January 2011 to take him through until Summer 2012. He returned to competitive action on May 3, 2011 when he appeared as a second half substitute in Derby County reserves 4-0 victory at Sheffield United
, which clinched the club's second consecutive totesport Central League title.
On 31 August 2011, Connolly joined Scottish First Division
side Ayr United
on loan until 31 December 2011.
, on 29 July 2010.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
professional footballer, currently playing for Scottish First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
side Ayr United
Ayr United F.C.
Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C...
on loan from Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. He plays as a left sided midfielder
Midfield
Midfield is the part of a sports pitch that lies approximately in the center. It is a term most commonly associated with football to refer to the area in and around the center circle, as well as the players who occupy that region, but it can be used in field hockey to describe the same area, or in...
and has represented the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
at U-16 level.
Domestic career
Connolly began his career as a scholar in the Derby County Academy, and had his first experience of first team football came when he was named as a substitute for Derby County's FA Cup 5th Round tie at home to Birmingham CityBirmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
in February 2010 before making his full debut as a late substitute in Derby's 2–0 victory over Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
on the final day of the 2009–10 season
2009–10 in English football
The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...
. Although primarily involved with the youth team – scoring twice in a 6–1 win over Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
in the FA Youth Cup -Connolly also appeared for the Derby County Reserves side which won the 2009–10 Central League Central Section title, starting three of his nine appearances and scoring the winner in a 1–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
. He was named as Derby's Scholar of the Year for the 2009/10 season and signed his first professional deal with the club on 8 July 2010.
Connolly's career suffered a setback when he suffered a cruciate ligament injury during a Under 18's friendly in August 2010, which ruled him out for six months. Despite this setback he was given a new one year contract extension, alongside compariate Jeff Hendrick
Jeff Hendrick
Jeffrey Hendrick is an Irish professional footballer, currently playing as a midfielder for English Football League Championship side Derby County...
, in January 2011 to take him through until Summer 2012. He returned to competitive action on May 3, 2011 when he appeared as a second half substitute in Derby County reserves 4-0 victory at Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
, which clinched the club's second consecutive totesport Central League title.
On 31 August 2011, Connolly joined Scottish First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
side Ayr United
Ayr United F.C.
Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C...
on loan until 31 December 2011.
International career
Connolly was born in Castlebar, Co. Mayo and is a product of the Ballyglass FC Youth Team System. He has represented the Republic of Ireland at Under 15, 16 and Under 17 level. He was called up to the Republic of Ireland Under 19 for the first time, alongside fellow Derby County player Jeff HendrickJeff Hendrick
Jeffrey Hendrick is an Irish professional footballer, currently playing as a midfielder for English Football League Championship side Derby County...
, on 29 July 2010.
Achievements
- Derby County F.C. Scholar of the Year 2009/10.
- Central League Central Division Champions 2009/10
Statistics
(correct as of 16 November 2011)| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Derby County Derby County F.C. Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English... |
2009–10 2009–10 in English football The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 2010–11 in English football The 2010–11 season was the 131st season of competitive football in England.The season began on 6 August 2010 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier League and Football Conference both starting eight days later on 14 August 2010. The Championship, League One, and League Two ended on 7 May... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12 2011–12 in English football The 2011–12 season is the 132nd season of competitive football in England.The season began on 5 August 2011 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier starting eight days later, League Football Conference Starting one day before Premier League starts.The Championship, League One, and League Two... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Ayr United Ayr United F.C. Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C... (loan) |
2011–12 2011–12 in Scottish football The 2011–12 season is the 115th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:-Scottish First Division:-Scottish Second Division:-Scottish Third Division:... |
7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| Career Total | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||