'I love being back up with Johnstown'
Connolly enjoying life back where it all started
Anyone who was at the Christy Kavanagh Charity Shield game between Johnstown and Duleek in February at the MDL and who knows their League of Ireland players will have spotted Dylan Connolly.
There he was busy throughout the match walking up and down the sideline, issuing encouragement and instructions to the Johnstown players as they went about the business of defeating Duleek to claim the trophy named after a very popular character in the local game. Christy Kavanagh gave so much to football in general and Johnstown in particular but passed away all too soon last year.Not that it was easy for Johnstown in that game.
Their road to victory was rocky indeed. They went a goal behind before bouncing back to win, displaying the kind of character that no doubt pleased Connolly who is one of the team’s coaches – and it was clear he was enjoying himself.
“I love coaching, I love being back up with Johnstown, being involved, especially in that game because it was in memory of Kavo, it was about doing his memory proud, and the community,” he told the Meath Chronicle.
Connolly’s story is that of a player who grew up in Johnstown before going on to taste life as a professional footballer in both sides of the Irish Sea. It’s also a fascinating tale of how a footballer’s life can involve a lot of movement from one club to another.
That, in turn, entails a lot of challenges such as moving from one area to another, from house to house, sometimes from country to country – and often within a short period of time.
One week you could be working with one group of players, the next with another collection of colleagues. It requires a certain temperament, a certain strength of character and Connolly has certainly shown he has what it takes to adopt to the changing circumstances involved.
“I have three small kids so you have to move them from schools, houses, you have to move them from one side of the UK to the other, then back to Ireland. You have to juggle a lot, it can be mentally challenging off the pitch.”
Not that it has been all negative. Life as a pro footballer has its many charms too. “It’s not easy at times but I’ve had great experiences. I went from Johnstown, I never thought I would play in England. I’m only a lad from Johnstown so to do all that, I’m proud of myself.”
His journey is a fascinating one. After playing for Johnstown as a youngster Connolly signed for Bohemians before going on to turn out for Shelbourne.
His abilities as a winger attracted the scouts and he went to Ipswich Town, had a spell with Bray Wanderers and later joined Dundalk. He also played for his country, picking up a plethora of caps at u-21 level.
He went to AFC Wimbledon, Bradford City and St Mirren in the Scotland where he turned out alongside Athboy native Jamie McGrath when Waterford man Jim Goodwin was manager.
St Mirren wanted to keep Connolly when his contract was up but he opted to move back down south, to Northampton Town or the Cobblers as they are also known. He subsequently had a brief spell with Morecombe before moving back to Ireland and rejoining Bohemians.
His highlights include defeating West Ham in the FA Cup when he was with AFC Wimbledon with Connolly playing a smashing game. He was also part of St Mirren teams that defeated Celtic and Rangers. There was also the league and FAI Cup double he won with Dundalk. Special days.
He endeared himself to Bohs’ fans in 2023 when he scored the golden goal in a 1-0 victory over Galway Utd in the FAI Cup semi-final. In the final Bohs were defeated 3-1 before a crowd of over 43,000 at the Aviva with another Meath man – Tommy Lonergan – netting the third goal for the Saints.
These days Connolly turns out for Glentoran in the NIFL Premiership. He joined them in July 2024 but now his contract is about to wind down. Just 30 he waits to see what the next chapter holds. Someone who likes to look on the positive side of life, and fiercely determined, he feels sure there will be other horizons to conquer in top flight football.
By going back to Johnstown as a coach Connolly’s career has, in one sense, gone full circle. In past year or so Johnstown certainly hit the heights, securing a place in the NEFL Premier and winning the NEFL Challenge Cup for the first time by defeating Trim Celtic 3-2 in a thriller at Drogheda Utd’s home ground last November. It was a momentous day indeed for the Candystrips.
While there are many others involved in the club’s recent progress, Dylan Connolly has obviously played his part, patrolling the sidelines, dispensing his advice to the players on the field, just as he did in that Christy Kavanagh Charity Shield game.