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Connolly Nets Winner for Irish U21s - Ipswich Town News

Town winger Dylan Connolly scored the only goal as the Republic of Ireland U21s beat Andorra 1-0 in their first Euro 2017 qualifier in Waterford this evening.

The 19-year-old finished from close range in the 31st minute and picked up a booking for a foul 12 minutes from time as he won his fourth U21 cap. Senior squad manager Martin O'Neill and his assistant Roy Keane watched the game.

Connolly was one of the players singled out for praise by Republic of Ireland U21s coach Noel King.

"Connolly’s speed is unbelievable," he said. "Callum O’Dowda [Oxford United] on the left-hand side in his first ever game for Ireland, I thought he was very good.

"Jack [Byrne, Manchester City] in the middle of the park was excellent. We’ve got some very good players. Defensively we weren’t overly challenged but it’s a good start.”

The goal and a short interview with Connolly can be found here.

Connolly joined the Blues in January having left his former club Shelbourne at the end of the Irish season in November and has already been on the first team bench on a number of occasions.

Speaking last week, manager Mick McCarthy said Connolly isn't far away from a first-team debut: "He is. I think Dylan’s going to be a really good player for us. He played up front in the U21s game [against Colchester a fortnight ago] and did really well.

"I think he’s going to be a really good player, a good right winger for us. He’s very, very quick, very direct, brave with the ball, he wants to take people on and he’s a good supplier of crosses. He’s getting closer.”

Buzzing with the 3 points and to get the winner is a bonus COYBIG 🍀🍀🍀– Dylan Connolly (@dconnolly_95) March 26, 2015

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