Town boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that former Shelbourne winger Dylan Connolly has joined the club. The 19-year-old, who impressed the Blues manager while on trial at Portman Road last summer, has agreed an 18-month contract with an option for a further year having left Shels at the end of the Irish season in November.

“He has signed now and now he’s signed we’ll talk about him,” McCarthy said, having kept his counsel until the deal was done.

“I’m delighted with him coming in. He’s a wide right player, he’s blisteringly quick and he’s got a fair bit of ability, he’s got a goal in him.

“And he’s coming from having played, so he’ll play in the U21s at the start but I’m looking at him with a view to playing with us, with being in the first team squad.

“He’s trained with Mark Kennedy and the U21s today. Providing he’s registered and everything’s OK he’ll play in the U21s next week and then we’ll have a look at him and see.”

As TWTD reported on Monday, the Blues have been waiting for paperwork relating to the deal to be rubber-stamped.

Connolly and 17-year-old McDonnell, who signed on at Portman Road in the summer, were two of three Shelbourne players to spend time on trial with Town during pre-season, featuring in the friendly at Braintree. Defender Ryan Robinson was the third.

In November, Town were reported to be ready to offer Connolly a deal during January but, according to reports last 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.

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.

Meanwhile, McCarthy also confirmed that Witham Town winger Tom Wraight has started his trial with the Blues: “He’s just turned up today, Tom. We’ll have a look at him, as we do with everybody.

“I think we should [look at players from that level]. I think it’s important that we do keep looking.

“When you think about Tyrone walking in the door and where he is now and the people who are looking at him, then we’d be mad not to if we get recommendations. We send people out to look at them.”

Photo: Action Images

Marcus_Evans added 14:56 - Feb 5 Excellent news and someone else with genuine pace. Someone should remind Mick we do have a very quick right winger sitting in the reserves too on an expensive 4 year contract!!
3

Kropotkin123 added 14:59 - Feb 5 who?
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bedsitfc added 15:08 - Feb 5 Stewart
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BlueNomad added 15:15 - Feb 5 The last youngster Mick signed and talked about putting in the first team very quickly was Tyrone Mings. He must have high hopes for him!
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kuyski added 15:30 - Feb 5 Great news!If More good news like this coming we can see a bright future.
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Tillz9 added 15:40 - Feb 5 MM also said McDonnell would have probably been involved with first team squad had it not been for fifa rules. So frustrating that a governing body stunts the development of a player at an important time with red tape.
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bluefeast added 15:40 - Feb 5 Interesting that a number of MM signings dont make it with us ,stewart perhaps the next in line to be shipped off.
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cornishblu added 16:27 - Feb 5 Bluefeast ....when you potentially turn 10k into 10 mil...ie Tyrone Mings....and have 7million pound bid for a free ie didz you are entitled to have a couple that might not make it....law of averages MM is doing brilliantly ......don't remember how much money we got in return for keano and jewells poor buys when they left us!!!
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TR11BLU added 16:28 - Feb 5 'Blisteringly Quick'....Sounds good
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Seasider added 17:01 - Feb 5 Will this player get a look in I wonder? Stewart and Henshall havn't; due I presume to Mick thinking that Anderson and his favorite Tabby are better,Henshalls loan at Blackpool is up next week,and then of course we have Hewitt at Col U> Would be nice to have a bit of flair to watch occasionally though instead of the dire stuff we had to endure last Saturday. Presume our scouts concentrate on Eire especially on the island of Ireland;wonder if we have more players who originate from the Emerald Isle than any of the other 92 clubs. I know some supporters on here are from over there,perhaps they know? Just wondering!

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rfretwell added 17:04 - Feb 5 Henshall is very quick but still isn't near the first team despite his Man U/Man City background!
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muhrensleftfoot added 17:04 - Feb 5 Let's hope he's the real thing. MM likes 4-4-2 and for that we need proper wingers. MM clearly not convinced about Henshall having sent him out on loan, or Cameron Stewart who has barely featured since recovering from injury. Anderson is hard working but distinctly average, & Tabb is no winger.
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blueherts added 17:22 - Feb 5 I would rather get a talented , quick player from a lower club than a 'pampered primadonna ' from a Premier outfit MM picks players who have the ability coupled with the RIGHT attitude This is their big chance and I am sure they will put the effort in I am sure if Henshall showed the application he would be picked Simple really - Young English players get picked up early by the big clubs - they have everything done for them and then get 'in a comfort zone' Not all , of course , but alot go missing and disappear -

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jas0999 added 17:40 - Feb 5 I wish him well, but doubt he will get a game this season.
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Cloddyseedbed added 17:43 - Feb 5 blueherts, very true, if Henshall and Stewart showed application and hard work and the right attitude they could make it but so many young players just do not put the effort in. So frustrating watching them with the ability that they have.
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Surco72 added 17:55 - Feb 5 Worth a gamble so good luck Mr Connolly. We need to be looking at fast wide players but as some say doubt we will see him this season . As for players values you cannot go for newspaper hype but actual transfers , I doubt anyone would offer 7 million for Dids now and we have only ever been offered 2 million for Mings . Cress was good money return signing
1

WhoisJimmyJuan added 18:02 - Feb 5 Mind you Stewart was injured, and he has started to make sub appearances. Remember, up until a few games ago we were doing brilliantly. Why, as a manager, would you break up a winning formula just to fit someone in to please them. In many ways it is much easier to blood youngsters when the team has nothing to play for at either end of the table. BUT, I feel for those on here who are frustrated because they watch us week in week out and the football ain't that good. You can only endure that if you win.

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muccletonjoe added 18:16 - Feb 5 I think if he is good enough then he will get a Game. Looking at his goals for shelbourne, may well be a good prospect, we shall see.
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linda16 added 18:35 - Feb 5 welcome aboard Mr Connolly
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howdonblue added 20:36 - Feb 5 Welcome dylan
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ITFCFan added 20:42 - Feb 5 Blisteringly Quick and scores goals from midfeild!! Youll do for me!! Get ya self in the side son and help Murphy with goals and lets push on boys and get this promotion that after the first half of the seaon i think we deserve!! COYB!!!
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blueboy1981 added 21:55 - Feb 5 ...... signing players with flair, pace and creativity is one thing, actually playing them is another - as we all know. These type of players don't fit too well with a 'hoofball' style. Now where have I seen that recently ??
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footyblue added 22:15 - Feb 5 It's obvious unless you are exceptional you won't get a look in if you are a youngster MM prefers experience
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