# Mark Connolly > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Mark_Connolly > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Mark_Connolly.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Connolly > Source revision: 1351680023 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{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{{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 }} | height = {{height|ft=6|in=1}} | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1991|12|16}}{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/mark-connolly-230808/ |title=Mark Connolly|website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |accessdate=16 July 2018}} | birth_place = [Clones](/source/Clones%2C_County_Monaghan), Ireland | currentclub = [Coleraine](/source/Coleraine_F.C.) | clubnumber = 30 | position = [Defender](/source/Defender_(association_football)) | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = [Monaghan United](/source/Monaghan_United_F.C.) | youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2009 | youthclubs2 = [Wolverhampton Wanderers](/source/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_F.C.) | youthyears3 = 2009–2010 | youthclubs3 = [Bolton Wanderers](/source/Bolton_Wanderers_F.C.) | years1 = 2010–2012 | clubs1 = [Bolton Wanderers](/source/Bolton_Wanderers_F.C.) | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2010 | clubs2 = → [St Johnstone](/source/St_Johnstone_F.C.) (loan) | caps2 = 1 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2012 | clubs3 = → [Macclesfield Town](/source/Macclesfield_Town_F.C.) (loan) | caps3 = 7 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2012–2014 | clubs4 = [Crawley Town](/source/Crawley_Town_F.C.) | caps4 = 69 | goals4 = 3 | years5 = 2014–2016 | clubs5 = [Kilmarnock](/source/Kilmarnock_F.C.) | caps5 = 36 | goals5 = 4 | years6 = 2016–2019 | clubs6 = [Crawley Town](/source/Crawley_Town_F.C.) | caps6 = 104 | goals6 = 5 | years7 = 2019–2022 | clubs7 = [Dundee United](/source/Dundee_United_F.C.) | caps7 = 54 | goals7 = 1 | years8 = 2021–2022 | clubs8 = → [Dunfermline Athletic](/source/Dunfermline_Athletic_F.C.) (loan) | caps8 = 14 | goals8 = 1 | years9 = 2022 | clubs9 = → [Dundalk](/source/Dundalk_F.C.) (loan) | caps9 = 20 | goals9 = 1 | years10 = 2022–2025 | clubs10 = [Derry City](/source/Derry_City_F.C.) | caps10 = 94 | goals10 = 2 | years11 = 2026– | clubs11 = [Coleraine](/source/Coleraine_F.C.) | caps11 = 15 | goals11 = 1 | nationalyears1 = 2007–2008 | nationalteam1 = [Republic of Ireland U17](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_under-17_football_team) | nationalcaps1 = 12 | nationalgoals1 = 1 | nationalyears2 = 2008–2009 | nationalteam2 = [Republic of Ireland U19](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_under-19_football_team) | nationalcaps2 = 5 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2011 | nationalteam3 = [Republic of Ireland U21](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_under-21_football_team) | 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](/source/Association_football) who plays for [Coleraine](/source/Coleraine_F.C.). He has previously played for [Bolton Wanderers](/source/Bolton_Wanderers_F.C.), [St Johnstone](/source/St_Johnstone_F.C.), [Macclesfield Town](/source/Macclesfield_Town_F.C.), [Crawley Town](/source/Crawley_Town_F.C.), [Kilmarnock](/source/Kilmarnock_F.C.), [Dundee United](/source/Dundee_United_F.C.), [Dunfermline Athletic](/source/Dunfermline_Athletic_F.C.), [Dundalk](/source/Dundalk_F.C.) and [Derry City](/source/Derry_City_F.C.). Connolly has also represented the Republic of Ireland at [under-21](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_under-21_national_football_team) level. ==Club career== ===Bolton Wanderers=== Connolly was signed from [Wolverhampton Wanderers](/source/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_F.C.) by [Bolton Wanderers](/source/Bolton_Wanderers_F.C.) on the summer transfer deadline in [2009](/source/2009%E2%80%9310_in_English_football) after the clubs agreed a £1,000,000 fee.{{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](/source/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 }} Wolves later reported Bolton and their assistant manager [Chris Evans](/source/Chris_Evans_(footballer)), a former academy director at Wolves, for an illegal approach for the player.{{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](/source/The_Guardian) |date = 6 October 2009}} Connolly later stated he was unaware of the transfer fee Bolton had paid.{{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}} On the January transfer dealine day of [2010](/source/2009%E2%80%9310_in_Scottish_football), Connolly signed on loan for [St Johnstone](/source/St_Johnstone_F.C.) until the end of the season.{{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](/source/BBC_Sport) |date=2 February 2010 |access-date=3 February 2010}} He made his debut on 27 March 2010 in the loss to [Hamilton Academical](/source/Hamilton_Academical_F.C.).{{cite news|title=Wesolowski seals Accies win|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/208121/report|work=Sky Sports|date=27 March 2010}} 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](/source/EFL_Cup) win against [Macclesfield Town](/source/Macclesfield_Town_F.C.) and he then joined Macclesfield on 24 February 2012, on a months loan,{{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 }} making his debut the following day in their 1–1 draw at [Oxford United](/source/Oxford_United_F.C.). On 15 May 2012, Connolly confirmed on his Twitter account that he had left Bolton.{{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}} This was followed by confirmation from the club that Connolly was one of twelve players released following the club's relegation to the [Championship](/source/EFL_Championship).{{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}} ===Crawley Town=== On 9 July 2012, [Crawley Town](/source/Crawley_Town_F.C.) announced that Connolly had signed for them on a two-year contract.{{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 }} Connolly later stated he joined Crawley because he wanted the chance to play first team football.{{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}} Connolly made his debut on 14 August, starting in a [League Cup](/source/EFL_Cup) match as a right-back against [Championship](/source/EFL_Championship) side [Millwall](/source/Millwall_F.C.) which ended 2–2, with Crawley winning 4–1 on penalties.{{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}} He then made his league debut for Crawley, in the opening game of the season, in a 3–0 win over [Scunthorpe United](/source/Scunthorpe_United_F.C.).{{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}} In late August 2012, Connolly was part of the Crawley team which successfully defeated Bolton in the [League Cup](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_Football_League_Cup) thanks to a last minute goal by [Nicky Ajose](/source/Nicky_Ajose).{{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}} 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.{{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}} On 1 January 2013, he scored his first Crawley Town goal in the 5th minute, in a 3–0 win over [Colchester United](/source/Colchester_United_F.C.).{{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}} In a home match against [Brentford](/source/Brentford_F.C.) 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.{{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}} He returned after being on the bench for five matches against [Crewe](/source/Crewe_Alexandra_F.C.) on 26 March 2013.{{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}} Connolly's second goal for the club came on 20 April 2013, in a 2–1 loss against [Oldham Athletic](/source/Oldham_Athletic_A.F.C.).{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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](/source/Notts_County_F.C.) on 29 December 2013.{{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}} He went on to make 40 appearances in all competitions. Despite the club starting negotiations over a new contract,{{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}} Connolly was among 11 players released at the end of the 2013–14 season.{{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 }} ===Kilmarnock=== Connolly signed a three-year contract with Scottish club [Kilmarnock](/source/Kilmarnock_F.C.) in July 2014.{{cite web | title=Kilmarnock sign defender Mark Connolly | work=BBC Sport | date=11 July 2014 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28260016 }} He made his debut on 9 August 2014, in a 1–1 draw with [Dundee](/source/Dundee_F.C.){{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}} Connolly then scored his first Kilmarnock goal from a header and earlier set up a goal for [Robbie Muirhead](/source/Robbie_Muirhead), in a 2–1 win over [St Mirren](/source/St_Mirren_F.C.){{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}} A few weeks later on 3 October 2014, he scored his second goal of the season, in a 2–0 win over [Dundee United](/source/Dundee_United_F.C.).{{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}} On 22 February 2015, Connolly was injured during Kilmarnock's 3–3 draw against [Inverness Caledonian Thistle](/source/Inverness_Caledonian_Thistle_F.C.){{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}} and it was later confirmed he had broken his collarbone with the injury expected to keep him out for the remainder of the season.{{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}} He returned from injury earlier than expected against [Motherwell](/source/Motherwell_F.C.) on 8 May 2015.{{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}} Ahead of the [2015–16 season](/source/2015%E2%80%9316_Kilmarnock_F.C._season) Connolly was named as captain of Kilmarnock, replacing [Manuel Pascali](/source/Manuel_Pascali) who had left the club earlier in the summer.{{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}} On 23 May 2016, he had his contract cancelled.{{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 }} ===Return to Crawley Town=== On 2 July 2016, Connolly re-joined Crawley Town preceding his contract expiry from Kilmarnock.{{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}} On 6 August 2016, he made his Crawley return in a 1–0 victory against [Wycombe Wanderers](/source/Wycombe_Wanderers_F.C.), playing the full 90 minutes.{{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}} On 1 October 2016, Connolly scored the winner in Crawley's 1–0 victory over [Blackpool](/source/Blackpool_F.C.), netting in the 69th minute.{{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}} On 4 August 2017, he signed a new three-year deal with Crawley.{{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}} ===Dundee United=== On 31 January 2019, Connolly signed for Dundee United of the [Scottish Championship](/source/Scottish_Championship) for an undisclosed fee, on a two-and-a-half-year contract.{{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}} He scored his first goal for the club on 4 January 2020, the only goal of their away match against [Queen of the South](/source/Queen_of_the_South_F.C.), in what was his first appearance in the starting lineup since the previous August.{{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}} He was part of the United team that were 14 points clear at the top of the Championship table when the [2019–20 season](/source/2019%E2%80%9320_Dundee_United_F.C._season) was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; they were subsequently declared champions and promoted to the Premiership.{{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}} In August 2020 he extended his contract with the club until 2023.{{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}} 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.{{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}} He was subsequently given a suspended two-match ban at a [Scottish Football Association](/source/Scottish_Football_Association) disciplinary hearing.{{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}} In May 2021, Connolly snapped his cruciate ligament in a Premiership match against Motherwell, and was expected to be out injured for several months.{{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}} Connolly was loaned to [Dunfermline Athletic](/source/Dunfermline_Athletic_F.C.) in September 2021.{{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}} He departed the club in January 2022 after playing every minute of his 14 appearances for the club, scoring 1 goal.{{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.}} On 17 January 2022, Connolly returned to his home country, signing for [League of Ireland Premier Division](/source/League_of_Ireland_Premier_Division) club [Dundalk](/source/Dundalk_F.C.) on a six-month loan deal.{{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 }}{{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.}} Dundalk confirmed on 22 July 2022 that Connolly had been recalled by Dundee United following his loan spell.{{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.}} ===Derry City=== After ending his loan spell at Dundalk, Dundee United sold Connolly to [Derry City](/source/Derry_City_F.C.) on 28 July 2022 for an undisclosed fee.{{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}} On 13 November 2022, he was part of the starting 11 in the [2022 FAI Cup final](/source/2022_FAI_Cup_final) as his side defeated [Shelbourne](/source/Shelbourne_F.C.) by a record cup final score of 4–0 at the [Aviva Stadium](/source/Aviva_Stadium).{{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}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.derrycityfc.net/2025/11/mark-connolly/|title=Mark Connolly|date=12 November 2025}} ===Coleraine=== On 10 December 2025, it was announced that Connolly had signed a pre-contract agreement with [NIFL Premiership](/source/NIFL_Premiership) club [Coleraine](/source/Coleraine_F.C.), joining on 1 January 2026.{{Cite web|url=https://colerainefc.com/top-marks/|title=Coleraine FC Latest News: Top Marks|first=Jonathan|last=McNabb|date=10 December 2025}} ==Career statistics== {{Updated|match played on 11 April 2026}}{{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 }}{{cite web|title=Mark Connolly career statistics|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=53297|publisher=Soccerbase|accessdate=10 August 2015}} {| 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](/source/FA_Cup), [Scottish Cup](/source/Scottish_Cup), [FAI Cup](/source/FAI_Cup) & [Irish Cup](/source/Irish_Cup)}} !colspan="2"|[League Cup](/source/League_Cup){{efn|Includes [EFL Cup](/source/EFL_Cup), [Scottish League Cup](/source/Scottish_League_Cup) & [Northern Ireland Football League Cup](/source/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](/source/Bolton_Wanderers_F.C.) ||[2009–10](/source/2009%E2%80%9310_Bolton_Wanderers_F.C._season) |rowspan=3|[Premier League](/source/Premier_League) |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0 |- |[2010–11](/source/2010%E2%80%9311_Bolton_Wanderers_F.C._season) |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0 |- |[2011–12](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_Bolton_Wanderers_F.C._season) |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](/source/St_Johnstone_F.C.) (loan) |[2009–10](/source/2009%E2%80%9310_St_Johnstone_F.C._season) |[Scottish Premier League](/source/Scottish_Premier_League) |1||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||1||0 |- |[Macclesfield Town](/source/Macclesfield_Town_F.C.) (loan) |[2011–12](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_Macclesfield_Town_F.C._season) |[League Two](/source/EFL_League_Two) |7||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||7||0 |- |rowspan="3"|[Crawley Town](/source/Crawley_Town_F.C.) |[2012–13](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_Crawley_Town_F.C._season) |rowspan=2|[League One](/source/EFL_League_One) |33||2||3||0||2||0||2{{efn|name=FLT|Appearances in the [Football League Trophy](/source/EFL_Trophy)}}||0||40||2 |- |[2013–14](/source/2013%E2%80%9314_Crawley_Town_F.C._season) |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](/source/Kilmarnock_F.C.) |[2014–15](/source/2014%E2%80%9315_Kilmarnock_F.C._season) |rowspan=2|[Scottish Premiership](/source/Scottish_Premiership) |26||2||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||29||2 |- |[2015–16](/source/2015%E2%80%9316_Kilmarnock_F.C._season) |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](/source/Crawley_Town_F.C.) |[2016–17](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_Crawley_Town_F.C._season) |rowspan=3|League Two |41||3||1||0||1||0||3{{efn|Appearances in the [EFL Trophy](/source/EFL_Trophy)}}||0||46||3 |- |[2017–18](/source/2017%E2%80%9318_Crawley_Town_F.C._season) |40||2||1||0||0||0||0||0||41||2 |- |[2018–19](/source/2018%E2%80%9319_Crawley_Town_F.C._season) |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](/source/Dundee_United_F.C.) |[2018–19](/source/2018%E2%80%9319_Dundee_United_F.C._season) |rowspan=2|[Scottish Championship](/source/Scottish_Championship) |9||0||2||0||0||0||4{{efn|Appearances in the [Scottish Premiership play-offs](/source/2018%E2%80%9319_Scottish_Premiership)}}||0||15||0 |- |[2019–20](/source/2019%E2%80%9320_Dundee_United_F.C._season) |17||1||2||0||3||0||0||0||22||1 |- |[2020–21](/source/2020%E2%80%9321_Dundee_United_F.C._season) |rowspan=2|Scottish Premiership |25||0||0||0||4||0||colspan="2"|–||29||0 |- |[2021–22](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_Dundee_United_F.C._season) |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](/source/Dunfermline_Athletic_F.C.) (loan) |[2021–22](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_Dunfermline_Athletic_F.C._season) |Scottish Championship |14||1||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||15||1 |- |[Dundalk](/source/Dundalk_F.C.) (loan) |[2022](/source/2022_Dundalk_F.C._season) |[LOI Premier Division](/source/League_of_Ireland_Premier_Division) |20||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||20||1 |- |rowspan=5|[Derry City](/source/Derry_City_F.C.) |[2022](/source/2022_League_of_Ireland_Premier_Division) |rowspan=4|[LOI Premier Division](/source/League_of_Ireland_Premier_Division) |11||0||5||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||16||1 |- |[2023](/source/2023_League_of_Ireland_Premier_Division) |16||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||7{{efn|5 appearances in the [UEFA Europa Conference League](/source/UEFA_Europa_Conference_League) & 1 appearance in the [President of Ireland's Cup](/source/President_of_Ireland's_Cup)}}||0||24||0 |- |[2024](/source/2024_League_of_Ireland_Premier_Division) |32||1||4||0||colspan="2"|–||2||1||38||2 |- |[2025](/source/2025_League_of_Ireland_Premier_Division) |35||1||2||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||37||1 |- !colspan=2|Total !94!!2!!12!!1!!colspan="2"|–!!9!!1!!115!!4 |- |[Coleraine](/source/Coleraine_F.C.) |[2025–26](/source/2025%E2%80%9326_NIFL_Premiership) |[NIFL Premiership](/source/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](/source/Scottish_Championship): [2019–20](/source/2019%E2%80%9320_Scottish_Championship) '''Derry City''' *[FAI Cup](/source/FAI_Cup): [2022](/source/2022_FAI_Cup) *[President of Ireland's Cup](/source/President_of_Ireland's_Cup): [2023](/source/2023_President_of_Ireland's_Cup) '''Individual''' *[League of Ireland Player of the Month](/source/League_of_Ireland_Player_of_the_Month): [June 2022](/source/League_of_Ireland_Player_of_the_Month),{{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 }} *[PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year](/source/PFAI_Team_of_the_Year) (2): [2022](/source/PFAI_Team_of_the_Year), [2024](/source/PFAI_Team_of_the_Year) ==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 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mark Connolly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Connolly) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Connolly?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.