David Connolly

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 10/03/2015, 6:54 AM

Like Harry Redknapp said about Dani at West Ham, "I don't know whether to play him or f*** him".

**OwlsFan** · 10/03/2015, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I'll never forgive him for Brussels. Ever.

I understand your pain. I was at the game and to see us reduced to 10 men for a petulant act was heart-breaking. It was only with 10 minutes to go and we were 2-1 down but who knows what might have happened. I suppose he was only a kid at the time and which one of us did not do stupid things at that age.....but you're right, I won't forgive him either.

**DeLorean** · 10/03/2015, 1:54 PM

I must have blanked that out completely. My overriding memory of Connolly for Ireland was his shot that went narrowly wide in extra time against Spain in 2002. Imagine the euphoria of Ireland scoring a golden goal in the World Cup?!

**Fixer82** · 10/03/2015, 6:48 PM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

I must have blanked that out completely. My overriding memory of Connolly for Ireland was his shot that went narrowly wide in extra time against Spain in 2002. Imagine the euphoria of Ireland scoring a golden goal in the World Cup?!

great effort, would have made him a legend!

**SwanVsDalton** · 10/03/2015, 6:51 PM

I remember the sending off clearly but, David, I forgive you. He's a cult figure for me (albeit not to The Worm's level). Enjoy your retirement.

**DeLorean** · 11/03/2015, 9:27 AM

I heard some of his interview on Newstalk last night. He comes across very well and seems pretty chuffed with his career overall. Some of his highlights were scoring two against Ajax for Feynoord, his first goal for us in the US Cup and hat-trick against Liechtenstein, and I think he mentioned a hat-trick on his Watford debut also. He was asked if he has regrets over the 2002 WC and what could have been, but he said that he was more frustrated that it was the only tournament we qualified for with those players, that we should have been in at least three tournaments around that time. He mentioned that we had some really excellent players in that era and that he was fortunate that they were mostly midfielders and wide players and that we were a bit short of good strikers, which gave him his opportunities.

**tetsujin1979** · 11/03/2015, 10:11 AM

the interview is online here: http://www.newstalk.com/connolly-on-calling-it-a-day
didn't know he was doing his coaching badges, interesting to hear the clubs he's visited

good story about how Paddy McCarthy might have been originally linked with Bolton on the audio as well!

**OwlsFan** · 11/03/2015, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

I heard some of his interview on Newstalk last night. He comes across very well and seems pretty chuffed with his career overall. He was asked if he has regrets over the 2002 WC and what could have been, but he said that he was more frustrated that it was the only tournament we qualified for with those players, that we should have been in at least three tournaments around that time.

I suppose when we were losing play offs with 10 men on the pitch, it's was harder to qualify.

**DeLorean** · 11/03/2015, 1:04 PM

What was the petulant act, remind me? That qualification campaign is certainly not on my 'ones that got away' list. We were pretty terrible for the majority of it but we had got ourselves into a pretty decent position in Brussels alright. The Euro 92 and 00 campaigns will rankle forever, even more so than Paris for some reason.

**Stuttgart88** · 11/03/2015, 1:14 PM

He stamped on a Belgian player on the ground. Totally mindless.

Euro 92 and 2000 were big opportunities missed alright.

**jbyrne** · 11/03/2015, 1:32 PM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

I suppose when we were losing play offs with 10 men on the pitch, it's was harder to qualify.

plus another dodgy play off decision that went against us. clear throw in to us not given in the immediate build up to their winner

**DeLorean** · 11/03/2015, 1:47 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

He stamped on a Belgian player on the ground. Totally mindless.

It's like a dream to me, or nightmare I suppose. The annoying memory I have of that game is conceding such a bad goal so soon after getting ourselves in a brilliant position. I can't remember who left Nelis run past him (obviously not as unforgiving as you guys

) but it was pretty shabby defending anyway.

One thing I always remember about that campaign is Roy Keane missing a penalty in Bucharest. I always thought it was 0-0 at the time he missed it but I must be wrong about that. I was looking at the Ireland on YouTube database and it only has Adrain Ilie's brilliant winner, but that was a first half goal scored into the same goals that Keane missed (I think).

**Fixer82** · 11/03/2015, 2:49 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

He stamped on a Belgian player on the ground. Totally mindless.

Euro 92 and 2000 were big opportunities missed alright.

i thought he punched him

**DeLorean** · 11/03/2015, 3:04 PM

Originally Posted by BBC Sport

Ireland's hopes of a third consecutive appearance in the World Cup finals then disappeared completely when substitute David Connolly was sent off for kicking out at Gert Verheyen.

BBC Sport - Belgium 2-1 Rep of Ireland

**DeLorean** · 11/03/2015, 3:59 PM

Unique Connolly calls time on career that ticked many boxes

**Stuttgart88** · 11/03/2015, 4:29 PM

Ok, I'll cut him some slack. Certainly an interesting player, more interesting than many we have had.

**Charlie Darwin** · 11/03/2015, 4:36 PM

Seem to remember Connolly refusing a call-up for a friendly under Don Givens because Glen Crowe was called up ahead of him. I think he effectively burned his bridges with the FAI there.

**DannyInvincible** · 11/03/2015, 7:19 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Seem to remember Connolly refusing a call-up for a friendly under Don Givens because Glen Crowe was called up ahead of him. I think he effectively burned his bridges with the FAI there.

According to Givens, Connolly thought he should have been first-choice striker, never mind fifth-choice:

**CraftyToePoke** · 11/03/2015, 7:31 PM

'' Don, to what do I owe this honour ''

**Fixer82** · 11/03/2015, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Seem to remember Connolly refusing a call-up for a friendly under Don Givens because Glen Crowe was called up ahead of him. I think he effectively burned his bridges with the FAI there.

Connolly was injured at the time.
Not the first or last player Givens ever fell out with.
Why Givens felt the need to go public with this when he was a caretaker manager needs to be questioned also. Trying to make a name for himself. Never liked him.