Aaron Connolly F Millwall b.2000

[liamoo11]

Connolly got on impressive for a 17 year old - https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/matches/fixtures/first-team/201718/august/brighton-and-hove-albion-vs-barnet-on-22-aug-17/#

[mark12345]

Connolly got on impressive for a 17 year old

He replaced Richie Towell. Richie has a very important week or so ahead of him. Looks like he will go out on loan, the move has to be right (Championship level I would think).

[samhaydenjr]

That's excellent news about Connolly - got seven goals during the qualifiers for this year's Euro U-17 Championship and I knew he had been moved up to U21 level at Brighton but I didn't expect to see him near the first-team squad this season. I know it's only the League Cup and there were literally hundreds of changes made by the teams participating tonight (274 to be exact according to the BBC) and he likely won't be playing Premier League in the coming months but still...if he can get some minutes in the Third Round, do well for Brighton's Academy team in the Checkatrade Trophy and perhaps get in the FA Cup squad in the New Year, he will have had a decent chance to test himself against senior defences and set himself up nicely for next season.

[Closed Account]

https://twitter.com/OfficialBHAFC/status/988498486436876288

(https://twitter.com/OfficialBHAFC/status/988498486436876288)U23: 45+1: GOOAALL!! Bjordal whips a brilliant cross into the penalty area from the right wing and Connolly finishes first time on the volley. Great finish from the striker into the bottom corner. #WWFC 0 #BHAFC 1 #PL2

U23: 49: GOOAALL!! It's that man again. Connolly gets on the end of Mandroiu's free-kick into the penalty area, and the striker finishes into the bottom corner after composing himself. #WWFC 0 #BHAFC 2 #PL2

U23: 59: GOOAALL!! That's a hat-trick for the Irishman. Connolly races onto a through-ball from Sanders, and the striker opens his body to curl an effort into the bottom corner past Sondergaard. #WWFC 0 #BHAFC 3 #PL2

[Olé Olé]

I'm nervous for him now- will Hughton see fit to give him a run? 7 points above the drop with 4 games left. He might wait for mathematic certainty.

[tetsujin1979]

Brighton are on 36 points at the moment, which should keep them up, but their run in is pretty horrific - Burnely, Man Utd, Man City and Liverpool - I'd say they'll need at least one more to be secure.

[samhaydenjr]

In the U23 thread, I said after Aaron Drinan's hat-trick on April 9th, that he was officially our most exciting striking prospect (for the month of April at least). Two weeks, two games and five goals later, it appears that Aaron Connolly must have read my post and said "Challenge Accepted!" I know what people have said about the tough run-in, but there must be a case for Hughton bringing him into the matchday squad before the end of the season, even if it's just to give him 10-15 minutes in a game already lost to one of the big teams.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - there can be a lot of doom and gloom among media pundits about our forward options post-Robbie. But I think we here at foot.ie sometimes seem to have our fingers on the pulse of Irish talent more than the mainstream media. I also believe more and more as the months go by that there really is a special bunch of young Irish strikers (numbering at least ten) moving through the English academy system, as they seem to take turns one-upping each other in their achievements in front of goal. And when they start to break into their respective first-teams (or go on loan spells), it will happen so fast it will make people's heads spin. We may even see the start of this process by the the end of the season - remember Connolly and Ryan Cassidy play for clubs that don't have the most prolific front-lines. And if not by the end of this season, then there is every chance we could see a few of them make a real breakthrough next season.

Oh, BTW, Daniel Mandroiu scored for the second game in a row, so we'll have to keep a close eye on him also

[gastric]

So I reckon we take the ten forwards plus Kelleher as goalkeeper and we create Irish total football. We mightn't win many games, but it certainly would be exciting and different!

[seanfhear]

In the U23 thread, I said after Aaron Drinan's hat-trick on April 9th, that he was officially our most exciting striking prospect (for the month of April at least). Two weeks, two games and five goals later, it appears that Aaron Connolly must have read my post and said "Challenge Accepted!" I know what people have said about the tough run-in, but there must be a case for Hughton bringing him into the matchday squad before the end of the season, even if it's just to give him 10-15 minutes in a game already lost to one of the big teams.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - there can be a lot of doom and gloom among media pundits about our forward options post-Robbie. But I think we here at foot.ie sometimes seem to have our fingers on the pulse of Irish talent more than the mainstream media. I also believe more and more as the months go by that there really is a special bunch of young Irish strikers (numbering at least ten) moving through the English academy system, as they seem to take turns one-upping each other in their achievements in front of goal. And when they start to break into their respective first-teams (or go on loan spells), it will happen so fast it will make people's heads spin. We may even see the start of this process by the the end of the season - remember Connolly and Ryan Cassidy play for clubs that don't have the most prolific front-lines. And if not by the end of this season, then there is every chance we could see a few of them make a real breakthrough next season.

Oh, BTW, Daniel Mandroiu scored for the second game in a row, so we'll have to keep a close eye on him alsoWe’ll just crack up mentally if we have too many goalscorers . It’ll be too much for us . We won’t be able to cope . I’m starting to sweat all ready .....only kidding....here's hoping .

[samhaydenjr]

So I reckon we take the ten forwards plus Kelleher as goalkeeper and we create Irish total football. We mightn't win many games, but it certainly would be exciting and different!

We play 3-3-4, change three forwards on the hour and rotate every game


We’ll just crack up mentally if we have too many goalscorers . It’ll be too much for us . We won’t be able to cope . I’m starting to sweat all ready .....only kidding....here's hoping .

I know - I get a little lightheaded when I read about Connolly getting a hat-trick and Cassidy scoring on the same night (with Shane McLoughlin scoring a penalty - and he's probably our 15th biggest hope)

[Closed Account]

Scored the 2nd today as Brighton got promoted to Premier league 2 - 1.

U23: 69: GOOAALL!! GET IN THERE! Connolly glances a header home from close range after Sanders finds the Irishman inside the penalty area with a delightful cross. #AVFC 0 #BHAFC 2 #PL2 https://t.co/7p5mfvDCSB

[samhaydenjr]

Well done to Connolly - any chance of him showing up in Sunday's squad or is it too late at this stage?

[tetsujin1979]

Aaron Connolly aims to step up a level for club and country: https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/17004034.aaron-connolly-aims-to-step-up-a-level-for-club-and-country/

[liamoo11]

2 today again Chelsea. be great if he got out on loan in Jan

[Diggs246]

2 today again Chelsea. be great if he got out on loan in Jan
He might get promoted to the first team. But a good loan move would do him the world of good. Rotherham or millwall maybe

[tetsujin1979]

Hughton mentioned Connolly in his press conference this week. Brighton's U23s playing Everton tonight, be interesting if he's included in the squad
1058001492945309697

[liamoo11]

Got one tonight against everton

[samhaydenjr]

Got one tonight against everton

Outstanding stuff from Connolly - that's 11 goals in 11 games for Brighton's U23s/U21s. He's also 3 clear at the top pr the PL2 goal scoring charts. I'm not one to jump on the bandwagon of demanding that MON starts calling up talented teenagers just because Ryan Giggs does it, but Connolly's progress should be monitored closely. Hopefully Hughton will start thinking soon about what the next step forward is for Connolly - a proper chance in the FA Cup in January? A decent loan move, perhaps to a League One club?

[tetsujin1979]

Strange to think he was omitted from the recent under 19s qualifiers, and he wasn't happy about it either. I know the three wins speak for themselves, and point to the strength in depth at that level, but it's still weird

[liamoo11]

Strange to think he was omitted from the recent under 19s qualifiers, and he wasn't happy about it either. I know the three wins speak for themselves, and point to the strength in depth at that level, but it's still weird

was there some talk he was suspended for the first game?

[tetsujin1979]

Albion weigh up loaning out young hot-shot striker Aaron Connolly (https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/17205198.albion-weigh-up-loaning-out-young-hot-shot-striker-aaron-connolly/)

They(Brighton's management) are weighing up whether to continue his development with a temporary exit or keep him in-house with the under-23s.

Republic of Ireland prospect Connolly, 18, has scored 12 goals in 14 games for the under-23s.

[Olé Olé]

I wish they'd give him a PL run out though, even before shipping him on loan. They have 4 forwards. Murray is obviously their main man and rightly so. After that, they have Locadia who has a goal since signing in January. They have the Iranian guy that was at the World Cup who has yet to score and they have Andone who has yet to play in the PL.

[DeLorean]

Hughton hasn't done much for us, has he? Froze out Hoolahan at Norwich and barely gave Towell a look in. Obviously we shouldn't be his priority like, just saying!

[samhaydenjr]

Hughton hasn't done much for us, has he? Froze out Hoolahan at Norwich and barely gave Towell a look in. Obviously we shouldn't be his priority like, just saying!

Did turn Shane Duffy into a Premier League player, though

[DeLorean]

Or did Duffy turn him (back) into a Premier League manager? :)

Nah, fair point, I momentarily forgot about Duffy.

[zero]

Hattrick last night in the checkatrade trophy, 3-2 win.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2018/1113/1010743-in-form-connolly-scores-hat-trick-for-brighton/

[tetsujin1979]

nominated for player of the round for the first round of the checkatrade trophy, along with Dara O'Shea: http://www.checkatradefootball.com/vote-for-your-player-of-the-round/

[Olé Olé]

Intriguing stuff from Sky Sports as they link Hoffenheim with Connolly, as well as the Manchester clubs. Hoffenheim is an interesting one as Reiss Nelson of Arsenal is in a hot streak there so there's potential for him to be called back.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11741/11560177/hoffenheim-track-brightons-aaron-connolly-as-part-of-premier-league-recruitment-drive

[Stuttgart88]

He'd be better of at Wigan. This is mad talk.

[Olé Olé]

Hoffenheim? Ought to cut his teeth at Hartlepool before he starts getting notions.

[liamoo11]

Intriguing stuff from Sky Sports as they link Hoffenheim with Connolly, as well as the Manchester clubs. Hoffenheim is an interesting one as Reiss Nelson of Arsenal is in a hot streak there so there's potential for him to be called back.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11741/11560177/hoffenheim-track-brightons-aaron-connolly-as-part-of-premier-league-recruitment-drive

Great hope he goes to Germany. This could be an evolving route for Irish youngsters with brexit likely closing off the flow of underage English talent to Europe which has happened over the last few seasons. Bates the Scotland centre half who moved to Hamburg in German second division was saying the quality of coaching was vastly superior than what he had at Rangers.

[mark12345]

Great hope he goes to Germany. This could be an evolving route for Irish youngsters with brexit likely closing off the flow of underage English talent to Europe which has happened over the last few seasons. Bates the Scotland centre half who moved to Hamburg in German second division was saying the quality of coaching was vastly superior than what he had at Rangers.

Couldn't agree more Liamo. If Connolly ended up at Hoffenheim I would be happy for him. Even if he didn't make too many appearances for the first team I'm sure he would learn a differen approach to football over there. They produce some fine attacking talent do the Germans (certainly know where the goal is, going all the way back to Gerd Mueller) and Aaron can only benefit from that experience.

[mark12345]

Hoffenheim? Ought to cut his teeth at Hartlepool before he starts getting notions.

Yeah he'd cut his teeth alright - watching the ball fly over his head all day long and then tucking into the pork pies after the game.

[Olé Olé]

https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2018/november/match-report-for-swansea-city-pl2-vs-brighton-and-hove-albion-pl2-on-26-nov-18/

Two tonight for this young man. His 16th and 17th of the season.

[samhaydenjr]

https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2018/november/match-report-for-swansea-city-pl2-vs-brighton-and-hove-albion-pl2-on-26-nov-18/

Two tonight for this young man. His 16th and 17th of the season.

Call him up MON!!! What!? Too Soon?

[gastric]

Call him up MON!!! What!? Too Soon?

Is it not Doktor McCRob now?

[tetsujin1979]

Nominated for PL2 Player of the Month https://www.premierleague.com/news/930180?sf203828678=1

[DeLorean]

Nominated for PL2 Player of the Month https://www.premierleague.com/news/930180?sf203828678=1

Won the award - https://www.premierleague.com/news/941803

[Diggs246]

If his contract is up at the end of the season. He is better off holding out ge will be signed up and be a millionaire very quickly

[Olé Olé]

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/3562933/celtic-manager-brendan-rodgers-eyeing-republic-of-ireland-and-brighton-striker-aaron-connolly-for-move-to-parkhead/

Linked with Celtic in the Sun. Mentions of Championship clubs there also, as well as the Hoffenheim and Manchester links previously reported.

Interesting couple of weeks ahead for him. Hughton appears not to be too keen on a senior run for him.

[tetsujin1979]

Celtic also linked with Timothy Weah at the moment. Can't see them taking two inexperienced youth strikers on loan at the same time

[samhaydenjr]

Spot just opened up at Sheffield Wednesday :p: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2018/1228/1019409-arrest-warrant-issued-for-sheffield-wednesday-striker/

[SkStu]

https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/17399655.aaron-connolly-signs-new-deal-at-albion/

New 3.5 year deal for Connolly - was being chased by Celtic and Rangers.

[CraftyToePoke]

Joins Luton, top of L1

- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47070275

[Olé Olé]

Luton appear to have a lot of strikers and forwards. Not to mind that they have signed another one alongside Connolly in Cummings. Fingers crossed he's been promised chances.

[CraftyToePoke]

They have the divisions top scorer too, one James Collins. Its not a team he'll easily walk into. It'll tell us plenty about him if he does though.

[Olé Olé]

Promising 19-year-old Galway-born attacker joins League One leaders https://the42.ie/4470946

The interim manager had heaps of positive stuff to say about him though so that's a good start.

[samhaydenjr]

They have the divisions top scorer too, one James Collins. Its not a team he'll easily walk into. It'll tell us plenty about him if he does though.

Oh great, we finally get the chance to see Connolly in a first-team squad regularly, and it turns out he might be competing with a former Irish underage international who seems close to a belated career breakthrough. Although I guess there's always the hope that they could strike up a good partnership.

Has also signed a new three-year contract at Brighton, so will have plenty of time to break into the first team there: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2019/0131/1026725-aaron-connolly-pens-three-year-deal-with-brighton/

[zero]

Has signed for Luton on loan til the end of the season. Interesting.

[Razors left peg]

Whats the deal with Connolly at Luton, is he still injured?