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Shelbourne Wish Connolly Best of Luck at Town - Ipswich Town News

Former Shelbourne winger Dylan Connolly appears set to join the Blues with the Dublin club having wished the 19-year-old the "best of luck" with Town via Twitter, a message they later removed.

Connolly was one of three Shels players who spent time on trial with Town in the summer, featuring in the pre-season friendly at Braintree, along with defender Ryan Robinson and midfielder Adam McDonnell, 17, who joined the Blues in August.

In November, Town were reported to be ready to offer out-of-contract Connolly an 18-month deal during this transfer window but, according to reports earlier in the week, issues relating to the training compensation due to Home Farm and Bohemians, his clubs prior to his spell with Shelbourne, were holding up the move.

Under FIFA rules when a young player switches between national associations compensation is due to all the clubs who have trained him between the ages of 12 and 21.

Despite Shelbourne's tweet, which they deleted early in the afternoon, we understand the deal is not yet done, although would appear close.

Irish U21 international Connolly was a regular for Shelbourne’s first team as they finished second in the Airtricity League First Division (second tier) during the 2014 season, making 27 appearances and top scoring for the Dublin side with 12 goals.

He was named in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year and nominated for the PFAI Young Player of the Year award.

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