DYLAN CONNOLLY HAS admitted that Stephen Kenny’s track record of working with “top class wingers who have gone on to play internationally” was an important factor in his decision to swap Bray Wanderers for Dundalk.
It was confirmed last night by the reigning SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions that Connolly has signed for the Oriel Park outfit after 18 months in Bray.
The 22-year-old has been one of the League of Ireland’s top players since he returned from a year at Ipswich Town. He’s now hoping to become the latest winger to kickstart his career while working under Kenny.
The Dundalk boss was in charge at Derry City when James McClean and Niall McGinn were snapped up by Sunderland and Celtic respectively. Daryl Horgan also moved to the UK at the end of last season, joining Preston North End after impressing during Dundalk’s run to the Europa League group stages and a third consecutive Premier Division title.
McClean and Horgan both went on to be capped at senior level by the Republic of Ireland, while McGinn was one of Northern Ireland’s goalscorers last summer at Euro 2016.
“Stephen was a massive decision in me choosing to join Dundalk,” Connolly, a former Irish U21 international, told Dundalk FC’s official website.
“It’s no secret that he is a brilliant manager. All you have to do is look at the trophies that he has won and everything he has achieved. He has done brilliantly.
“I met him a few times and it was a no-brainer for me to work with him. He has worked with top class wingers in the past who have gone on to play internationally — James McClean, Niall McGinn and Daryl Horgan. You can’t let the opportunity pass you by.”
Kenny had attempted to sign Connolly from Bray when he was searching for a replacement for Horgan at the end of last season. But after signing a new two-year deal in December, Connolly said Dundalk’s offer was “nothing that interested me”. Six months later, however, he’s finally a Dundalk player.
“I am over the moon to have signed for Dundalk,” he said. “When I heard that the club were interested in signing me I was 100% on board with it and I wanted to get things done.
“When I knew the interest was there, I wanted to come and I wanted to get things sorted as quickly as possible and I am delighted to have got that.”
He added: “I have had a good year and a half at Bray Wanderers. I want to thank everyone at Bray for everything they they have done for me during the last 18 months.
“I feel now is the right time for me to move and Dundalk is the best place for me to go to the next level. I think it is the best move for me at this stage of my career.”
The transfer window doesn’t officially open until tomorrow so Connolly won’t be eligible to play when Dundalk travel to take on Bray this evening. The Lilywhites can reduce Cork City’s lead at the top of the table to 12 points with a win at the Carlisle Grounds, although the Leesiders will have two games in hand.
Connolly is keen to be involved a week on Wednesday when Dundalk host Rosenborg in the first leg of their Champions League second round qualifier.
“I have never experienced European football at senior level so I am looking forward to playing in the Champions League in a few weeks. It is something I have always wanted to do so that will be really good,” he said.
“I want to win every game. I want to do everything at the club — get into the team, work hard and score goals. I want to win trophies at Dundalk. I just want to help the team, contribute and see what happens.”
