{{short description|Irish footballer (born 1991)|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{About|the Irish footballer|the British historian|Mark Connelly|the politician|Mark Connolly (public official)}} {{use Hiberno-English|date=July 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Mark Connolly | image = | fullname = Mark Gerard Connolly<ref name="Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13">{{Cite news |title=Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13 |url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0,,10794~179534,00.pdf |publisher=The Football League |date=18 May 2013 |page=33 |accessdate=26 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717125933/http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0%2C%2C10794~179534%2C00.pdf |archivedate=17 July 2013 }}</ref> | height = {{height|ft=6|in=1}}<ref name="11v11"/> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1991|12|16}}<ref name="11v11">{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/mark-connolly-230808/ |title=Mark Connolly|website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |accessdate=16 July 2018}}</ref> | birth_place = Clones, Ireland | currentclub = Coleraine | clubnumber = 30 | position = Defender | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Monaghan United | youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2009 | youthclubs2 = Wolverhampton Wanderers | youthyears3 = 2009–2010 | youthclubs3 = Bolton Wanderers | years1 = 2010–2012 | clubs1 = Bolton Wanderers | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2010 | clubs2 = → St Johnstone (loan) | caps2 = 1 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2012 | clubs3 = → Macclesfield Town (loan) | caps3 = 7 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2012–2014 | clubs4 = Crawley Town | caps4 = 69 | goals4 = 3 | years5 = 2014–2016 | clubs5 = Kilmarnock | caps5 = 36 | goals5 = 4 | years6 = 2016–2019 | clubs6 = Crawley Town | caps6 = 104 | goals6 = 5 | years7 = 2019–2022 | clubs7 = Dundee United | caps7 = 54 | goals7 = 1 | years8 = 2021–2022 | clubs8 = → Dunfermline Athletic (loan) | caps8 = 14 | goals8 = 1 | years9 = 2022 | clubs9 = → Dundalk (loan) | caps9 = 20 | goals9 = 1 | years10 = 2022–2025 | clubs10 = Derry City | caps10 = 94 | goals10 = 2 | years11 = 2026– | clubs11 = Coleraine | caps11 = 15 | goals11 = 1 | nationalyears1 = 2007–2008 | nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U17 | nationalcaps1 = 12 | nationalgoals1 = 1 | nationalyears2 = 2008–2009 | nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U19 | nationalcaps2 = 5 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2011 | nationalteam3 = Republic of Ireland U21 | nationalcaps3 = 7 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | club-update = 29 April 2026 | ntupdate = 27 January 2018 (UTC) }} '''Mark Gerard Connolly''' (born 16 December 1991) is an Irish footballer who plays for Coleraine. He has previously played for Bolton Wanderers, St Johnstone, Macclesfield Town, Crawley Town, Kilmarnock, Dundee United, Dunfermline Athletic, Dundalk and Derry City. Connolly has also represented the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level.
==Club career== ===Bolton Wanderers=== Connolly was signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers by Bolton Wanderers on the summer transfer deadline in 2009 after the clubs agreed a £1,000,000 fee.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/4633155.Mark_Connolly___the___1million_kid/ |title=Mark Connolly – the £1million kid |work=The Bolton News |date=17 September 2009 |accessdate=3 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924030008/http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/4633155.Mark_Connolly___the___1million_kid/ |archivedate=24 September 2009 }}</ref> Wolves later reported Bolton and their assistant manager Chris Evans, a former academy director at Wolves, for an illegal approach for the player.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/oct/06/bolton-wolves-tapping-mark-connolly|title = Wolves report Bolton over alleged illegal approach for academy player| website=The Guardian |date = 6 October 2009}}</ref> Connolly later stated he was unaware of the transfer fee Bolton had paid.<ref>{{cite news|title=I never knew my signing fee for Bolton was £1m, says St Johnstone loan kid Mark Connolly|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/i-never-knew-my-signing-fee-for-bolton-1050533|work=Daily Record|date=14 February 2010|accessdate=9 April 2015}}</ref>
On the January transfer dealine day of 2010, Connolly signed on loan for St Johnstone until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/st_johnstone/8492576.stm|title= St Johnstone sign Bolton defender Mark Connolly |work=BBC Sport |date=2 February 2010 |access-date=3 February 2010}}</ref> He made his debut on 27 March 2010 in the loss to Hamilton Academical.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wesolowski seals Accies win|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/208121/report|work=Sky Sports|date=27 March 2010}}</ref>
During the 2011–12 season, Connolly was captain of Bolton Wanderers's reserve team and was on the substitutes bench for the first team in their League Cup win against Macclesfield Town and he then joined Macclesfield on 24 February 2012, on a months loan,<ref>{{cite web|title=Connolly Joins Macclesfield on Loan |url=http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~2621422,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630225351/http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~2621422,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 June 2012 |publisher=Bolton Wanderers F.C. |date=24 February 2012 |accessdate=24 February 2012 }}</ref> making his debut the following day in their 1–1 draw at Oxford United.
On 15 May 2012, Connolly confirmed on his Twitter account that he had left Bolton.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mark Connolly Official Twitter Account|url=https://twitter.com/Mark5Connolly/status/202359655752663040|publisher=Twitter|date=15 May 2012|accessdate=15 May 2012}}</ref> This was followed by confirmation from the club that Connolly was one of twelve players released following the club's relegation to the Championship.<ref>{{cite news|title=Davies signs and 12 go as Coyle prepares for Championship football|url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/9714915.Davies_signs_and_12_go_as_Coyle_prepares_for_Championship_football/|work=The Bolton News|date=18 May 2012|accessdate=9 April 2015}}</ref>
===Crawley Town=== On 9 July 2012, Crawley Town announced that Connolly had signed for them on a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web |title=Connolly joins Reds |url=http://www.crawleytownfc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,11025~2833836,00.html |publisher=Crawley Town F.C.|date=9 July 2012 |accessdate=9 July 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711024758/http://www.crawleytownfc.com/page/LatestNews/0%2C%2C11025~2833836%2C00.html |archivedate=11 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Connolly later stated he joined Crawley because he wanted the chance to play first team football.<ref>{{cite news|title=Connolly keen to be in the thick of things|url=http://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/crawley-town-fc/connolly-keen-to-be-in-the-thick-of-things-1-4040634|publisher=Crawley Observer|date=11 July 2012|accessdate=9 April 2015}}</ref> Connolly made his debut on 14 August, starting in a League Cup match as a right-back against Championship side Millwall which ended 2–2, with Crawley winning 4–1 on penalties.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19159709|title=Millwall 2–2 Crawley (1–4 pens)|work=BBC Sport|date=14 August 2012}}</ref> He then made his league debut for Crawley, in the opening game of the season, in a 3–0 win over Scunthorpe United.<ref>{{cite news|title=Crawley Town 3–0 Scunthorpe United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19221390|work=BBC Sport|date=18 August 2012|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> In late August 2012, Connolly was part of the Crawley team which successfully defeated Bolton in the League Cup thanks to a last minute goal by Nicky Ajose.<ref>{{cite news|title=Crawley Town 2–1 Bolton Wanderers|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19340548|work=BBC Sport|date=28 August 2012|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> In November 2012, after an earlier spell out of the side, Connolly spoke of his enjoyment at getting back in the team and playing regular first team games.<ref>{{cite news|title=Connolly enjoying extended run|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11791/8291961/connolly-enjoying-extended-run|work=Sky Sports|date=28 November 2012|accessdate=9 April 2015}}</ref> On 1 January 2013, he scored his first Crawley Town goal in the 5th minute, in a 3–0 win over Colchester United.<ref>{{cite news|title=Crawley Town 3–0 Colchester United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20841119|work=BBC Sport|date=1 January 2013|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> In a home match against Brentford on 26 February 2013, Connolly gave away a penalty and received a red card after 50 seconds, with Crawley going on to lose 2–1.<ref>{{cite news|title=Crawley Town 1–2 Brentford|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21502157|work=BBC Sport|date=26 February 2013|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> He returned after being on the bench for five matches against Crewe on 26 March 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Crawley Town v Crewe: Reds welcome back international duo|url=http://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/crawley-town-fc/crawley-town-v-crewe-reds-welcome-back-international-duo-1-4938152|publisher=Crawley Observer|date=26 March 2013|accessdate=9 April 2015}}</ref> Connolly's second goal for the club came on 20 April 2013, in a 2–1 loss against Oldham Athletic.<ref>{{cite news|title=Oldham Athletic 1–2 Crawley Town|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22133428|work=BBC Sport|date=20 April 2013|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> In his first season at Crawley Town, Connolly scored twice in 35 appearances for the club.
In his second season, Connolly remained at the club after being linked with a move to Championship clubs following his performances during the previous season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Transfer news: Championship sides chasing Crawley defender Mark Connolly|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11791/8700915/transfer-news-championship-sides-chasing-crawley-defender-mark-connolly|work=Sky Sports|date=9 May 2013|accessdate=9 April 2015}}</ref> He spent most of the first half of the season on the bench before regaining his first team place. Connolly then scored his first goal of the season, with a header, in a 1–0 win over Notts County on 29 December 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Crawley Town 1–0 Notts County|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25482286|work=BBC Sport|date=29 December 2013|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> He went on to make 40 appearances in all competitions. Despite the club starting negotiations over a new contract,<ref>{{cite news|title=Contract talks set to start at Crawley Town|url=http://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/crawley-town-fc/contract-talks-set-to-start-at-crawley-town-1-5978185|publisher=Crawley Observer|date=3 April 2014|accessdate=9 April 2015}}</ref> Connolly was among 11 players released at the end of the 2013–14 season.<ref>{{cite web | title=Crawley Town: Paul Jones among 11 released by League One club | work=BBC Sport | date=5 May 2014 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27284320 }}</ref>
===Kilmarnock=== Connolly signed a three-year contract with Scottish club Kilmarnock in July 2014.<ref>{{cite web | title=Kilmarnock sign defender Mark Connolly | work=BBC Sport | date=11 July 2014 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28260016 }}</ref> He made his debut on 9 August 2014, in a 1–1 draw with Dundee<ref>{{cite web|title=Dundee 1-1 Kilmarnock|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28647038|work=BBC Sport|last=McLeod|first=Liam|date=9 August 2014|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> Connolly then scored his first Kilmarnock goal from a header and earlier set up a goal for Robbie Muirhead, in a 2–1 win over St Mirren<ref>{{cite news|title=Kilmarnock 2–1 St Mirren|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29090489|work=BBC Sport|date=13 September 2014|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> A few weeks later on 3 October 2014, he scored his second goal of the season, in a 2–0 win over Dundee United.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kilmarnock 2–0 Dundee United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29372913|work=BBC Sport|date=3 October 2014|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> On 22 February 2015, Connolly was injured during Kilmarnock's 3–3 draw against Inverness Caledonian Thistle<ref>{{cite web|title=Inverness CT 3-3 Kilmarnock|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31466582|work=BBC Sport|last=Dowden|first=Martin|date=22 February 2015|access-date=2 August 2015}}</ref> and it was later confirmed he had broken his collarbone with the injury expected to keep him out for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kilmarnock: Mark Connolly out for season – fears over Jamie Hamill|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31658390|work=BBC Sport|date=27 February 2015|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> He returned from injury earlier than expected against Motherwell on 8 May 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Connolly back after Kilmarnock injury hell|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/mark-connolly-back-after-kilmarnock-injury-hell-1-3772362|work=The Scotsman|last=Halliday|first=Stephen|date=14 May 2015|accessdate=2 August 2015}}</ref>
Ahead of the 2015–16 season Connolly was named as captain of Kilmarnock, replacing Manuel Pascali who had left the club earlier in the summer.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Connolly named Kilmarnock captain for new season|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33569357|work=BBC Sport|date=17 July 2015|access-date=2 August 2015}}</ref> On 23 May 2016, he had his contract cancelled.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Player Contracts |url=http://kilmarnockfc.co.uk/Article?id=3804&ShowCat= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529084047/http://kilmarnockfc.co.uk/Article?id=3804&ShowCat= |access-date=23 May 2016 | archive-date=29 May 2016 }}</ref>
===Return to Crawley Town=== On 2 July 2016, Connolly re-joined Crawley Town preceding his contract expiry from Kilmarnock.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Conns is back |url=http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/2016-17/crawley-town-3165042.aspx |publisher=Crawley Town Official Site |date=2 July 2016 |accessdate=2 July 2016}}</ref> On 6 August 2016, he made his Crawley return in a 1–0 victory against Wycombe Wanderers, playing the full 90 minutes.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Crawley Town 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36930238 |work=BBC Sport |date=6 August 2016 |accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref> On 1 October 2016, Connolly scored the winner in Crawley's 1–0 victory over Blackpool, netting in the 69th minute.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Crawley Town 1-0 Blackpool |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37459229 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 October 2016 |accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref>
On 4 August 2017, he signed a new three-year deal with Crawley.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 4, 2017 |title=Mark Connolly: Crawley defender signs a new three-year deal with League Two club |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40833250 |access-date=2025-11-11 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>
===Dundee United=== On 31 January 2019, Connolly signed for Dundee United of the Scottish Championship for an undisclosed fee, on a two-and-a-half-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dundee Utd sign Osman Sow, Mark Reynolds, Peter Pawlett, Calum Butcher & Mark Connolly|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47070594|work=BBC Sport|date=31 January 2019|accessdate=17 July 2019}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club on 4 January 2020, the only goal of their away match against Queen of the South, in what was his first appearance in the starting lineup since the previous August.<ref>{{cite news |title=Connolly keeps United 14 points clear |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50931094 |access-date=29 May 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=4 January 2020}}</ref> He was part of the United team that were 14 points clear at the top of the Championship table when the 2019–20 season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; they were subsequently declared champions and promoted to the Premiership.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Deanie |first1=Marc |title=Dundee United defender Mark Connolly salutes his family and club's fans following Championship title triumph |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/1270762/dundee-united-mark-connolly-championship-title/ |access-date=29 May 2021 |work=The Courier |date=16 April 2020 |location=Dundee}}</ref> In August 2020 he extended his contract with the club until 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=No 'knee-jerk' signings at Tannadice |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53774249 |access-date=29 May 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=13 August 2020}}</ref> The following month, he was charged with "not acting in the best interests of football" and breaching COVID regulations, when he allegedly refused to wear a face mask in a taxi.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dundee Utd's Connolly charged by SFA |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54166010 |access-date=29 May 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 September 2020}}</ref> He was subsequently given a suspended two-match ban at a Scottish Football Association disciplinary hearing.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roache |first1=Ian |title=Dundee United defender Mark Connolly given suspended two-match ban for breach of SFA rules covering coronavirus conduct |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/1619491/dundee-united-mark-connolly-suspended-ban-coronavirus/ |access-date=29 May 2021 |work=The Courier |date=1 October 2020 |location=Dundee}}</ref> In May 2021, Connolly snapped his cruciate ligament in a Premiership match against Motherwell, and was expected to be out injured for several months.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mark Connolly set for lengthy Dundee United lay-off after nightmare cruciate diagnosis |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/2225590/mark-connolly-dundee-united-cruciate-diagnosis/ |access-date=29 May 2021 |newspaper=The Courier |date=14 May 2021 |location=Dundee}}</ref>
Connolly was loaned to Dunfermline Athletic in September 2021.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/2626829/dundee-united-defender-mark-connolly-joins-dunfermline-on-loan/ |title=Dundee United defender Mark Connolly joins Dunfermline on loan |first=Eric |last=Nicolson |newspaper=The Courier |date=29 September 2021 |accessdate=30 September 2021}}</ref> He departed the club in January 2022 after playing every minute of his 14 appearances for the club, scoring 1 goal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dafc.co.uk/story.php?t=Pars_Big_Yin_bows_out_on_a_high&ID=13571|title=Pars Big Yin bows out on a high |publisher=Dunfermline Athletic F.C.}}</ref>
On 17 January 2022, Connolly returned to his home country, signing for League of Ireland Premier Division club Dundalk on a six-month loan deal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/dundalks-recruitment-drive-continues-as-mark-connolly-joins-on-loan-41249553.html|title=Dundalk's recruitment drive continues as Mark Connolly joins on loan|website=The independent|date=17 January 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/news/7163/CONNOLLY-LOANED-TO-DUNDALK.html|title=CONNOLLY LOANED TO DUNDALK|publisher=Dundee United F.C.}}</ref> Dundalk confirmed on 22 July 2022 that Connolly had been recalled by Dundee United following his loan spell.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dundalkfc.com/connolly-recalled-by-dundee-united/ | title=Connolly Recalled by Dundee United | date=22 July 2022 |publisher=Dundalk F.C.}}</ref>
===Derry City=== After ending his loan spell at Dundalk, Dundee United sold Connolly to Derry City on 28 July 2022 for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bt.com/sport/news/2022/july/mark-connolly-joins-derry-city-from-dundee-united-for-undisclosed-fee |title=Mark Connolly joins Derry City from Dundee United for undisclosed fee |website=BT Sport |date=28 July 2022 |accessdate=30 July 2022}}</ref> On 13 November 2022, he was part of the starting 11 in the 2022 FAI Cup final as his side defeated Shelbourne by a record cup final score of 4–0 at the Aviva Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/derry-city-shelbourne-fai-cup-5918613-Nov2022/|title=Historic FAI Cup victory for Derry City as they run riot against Shelbourne|first=David|last=Sneyd|date=13 November 2022|website=The 42}}</ref> On 12 November 2025, it was announced that Connolly would be leaving the club at the end of his contract, having captained the club during his three and a half years at the club, scoring 4 goals in 114 appearances in all competitions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.derrycityfc.net/2025/11/mark-connolly/|title=Mark Connolly|date=12 November 2025}}</ref>
===Coleraine=== On 10 December 2025, it was announced that Connolly had signed a pre-contract agreement with NIFL Premiership club Coleraine, joining on 1 January 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://colerainefc.com/top-marks/|title=Coleraine FC Latest News: Top Marks|first=Jonathan|last=McNabb|date=10 December 2025}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{Updated|match played on 11 April 2026}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/mark-connolly/203969/ | title=Republic of Ireland - M. Connolly - Profile with news, career statistics and history |website=Soccerway }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Connolly career statistics|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=53297|publisher=Soccerbase|accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup, FAI Cup & Irish Cup}} !colspan="2"|League Cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup & Northern Ireland Football League Cup}} !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=4|Bolton Wanderers ||2009–10 |rowspan=3|Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0 |- |2010–11 |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0 |- |2011–12 |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!0!!0 |- |St Johnstone (loan) |2009–10 |Scottish Premier League |1||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||1||0 |- |Macclesfield Town (loan) |2011–12 |League Two |7||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||7||0 |- |rowspan="3"|Crawley Town |2012–13 |rowspan=2|League One |33||2||3||0||2||0||2{{efn|name=FLT|Appearances in the Football League Trophy}}||0||40||2 |- |2013–14 |36||1||3||0||0||0||1{{efn|name=FLT}}||0||40||1 |- !colspan=2|Total !69!!3!!6!!0!!2!!0!!3!!0!!80!!3 |- |rowspan=3|Kilmarnock |2014–15 |rowspan=2|Scottish Premiership |26||2||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||29||2 |- |2015–16 |10||2||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||10||2 |- !colspan=2|Total !36!!4!!1!!0!!2!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!39!!4 |- |rowspan=4|Crawley Town |2016–17 |rowspan=3|League Two |41||3||1||0||1||0||3{{efn|Appearances in the EFL Trophy}}||0||46||3 |- |2017–18 |40||2||1||0||0||0||0||0||41||2 |- |2018–19 |23||0||2||0||1||1||0||0||26||1 |- !colspan=2|Total !104!!5!!4!!0!!2!!1!!3!!0!!113!!6 |- |rowspan=5|Dundee United |2018–19 |rowspan=2|Scottish Championship |9||0||2||0||0||0||4{{efn|Appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs}}||0||15||0 |- |2019–20 |17||1||2||0||3||0||0||0||22||1 |- |2020–21 |rowspan=2|Scottish Premiership |25||0||0||0||4||0||colspan="2"|–||29||0 |- |2021–22 |1||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0||colspan="2"|–||1||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !52!!1!!4!!0!!7!!0!!4!!0!!67!!1 |- |Dunfermline Athletic (loan) |2021–22 |Scottish Championship |14||1||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||15||1 |- |Dundalk (loan) |2022 |LOI Premier Division |20||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||20||1 |- |rowspan=5|Derry City |2022 |rowspan=4|LOI Premier Division |11||0||5||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||16||1 |- |2023 |16||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||7{{efn|5 appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League & 1 appearance in the President of Ireland's Cup}}||0||24||0 |- |2024 |32||1||4||0||colspan="2"|–||2||1||38||2 |- |2025 |35||1||2||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||37||1 |- !colspan=2|Total !94!!2!!12!!1!!colspan="2"|–!!9!!1!!115!!4 |- |Coleraine |2025–26 |NIFL Premiership |12||1||4||1||1||0||colspan="2"|–||17||1 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !409!!18!!31!!2!!14!!1!!18!!1!!474!!21 |} {{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Dundee United''' * Scottish Championship: 2019–20
'''Derry City''' *FAI Cup: 2022 *President of Ireland's Cup: 2023
'''Individual''' *League of Ireland Player of the Month: June 2022,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40918127.html | title=Dundalk defender Mark Connolly scoops Player of the Month award | date=14 July 2022 }}</ref> *PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year (2): 2022, 2024
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerbase}} *[http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/player.php?id=40&level=ss17 Republic of Ireland U17 profile] at Soccer Scene *[http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/player.php?id=160&level=ss19 Republic of Ireland U19 profile] at Soccer Scene
{{2022 PFAI League of Ireland Premier Division Team of the Year}} {{2024 PFAI League of Ireland Premier Division Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Connolly, Mark}} Category:1991 births Category:Living people Category:Association footballers from County Monaghan Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Monaghan United F.C. players Category:Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players Category:Bolton Wanderers F.C. players Category:St Johnstone F.C. players Category:Macclesfield Town F.C. players Category:Crawley Town F.C. players Category:Scottish Premier League players Category:English Football League players Category:Kilmarnock F.C. players Category:Scottish Professional Football League players Category:Dundee United F.C. players Category:Dunfermline Athletic F.C. players Category:Dundalk F.C. players Category:League of Ireland players Category:Derry City F.C. players Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen Category:Coleraine F.C. players