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

Photo: Action Images

blueherts added 21:56 - Mar 26 Berra last night , Dylan and maybe Murph next - Town full of goalscoring internationals !!! Lovin it
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ArnieM added 23:43 - Mar 26 Come on Mick , give the lad a run out next Friday . Would love to see him skin those Cherries!
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Sospiri added 02:48 - Mar 27 Bring him on as a sub after 60 minutes if we need a change v Bournemouth.
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Michael11 added 08:33 - Mar 27 If Connolly's as good as people are saying then hopefully we have more creativity in the squad than we thought, especially with the return of Joniesta and hopefully McGoldrick too. Everything is starting to come together nicely!
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dalinghooblue added 09:17 - Mar 27 Time for him to make his debut. We've now got pace, creativity and youth with experience to back that up. Looking up.
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Currie10 added 09:35 - Mar 27 Not being negative here but with seven games to go, and in the play offs, is it really debut time!? We've got Williams back after all, who would probably be fit enough for 10-15 right now so surely he's the impact sub. Think he could be a massive player next season - potentially a Clarke/ Donnolly left wing pairing. We've been a joke LM for years. Quinn/ Tabb asked to do the graveyard shift however with a left back on loan who may stick to his position unlike Mings we may be able to finally go attacking left wing.

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muccletonjoe added 10:11 - Mar 27 I really can't see him getting a first team game this season, but from what I have seen of him, he could be an ace up the sleeve for next season.
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PhilTWTD added 10:18 - Mar 27 Couple of mentions of Connolly playing on the left, I notice. He's a right winger mainly.
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RaymondovicBlue added 11:49 - Mar 27 Well, Mick certainly has choices to make now ... but the reason I (as a former accountant now leading a church who has played more rugby than football!!) WOULD put Connolly on the Bench EVERY GAME is that he is a pacey winger - NONE of our other players are "pacey wingers" and so he offers a really good DIFFERENT option to throw on if we NEED a goal and are chasing a game .... Johnny should start (once fit) and he and Sears will certainly wear out most defences and then Connolly can surely be risked as a raw, fearless young sub to then rip them apart in the last 15 with his pace and direct approach Like for like subs don't change games - BUT - have to say - I am fully behind Mick in what he is doing ..... many call it hoof ball, but from what I've seen this year we are MUCH more varied than we have been previously, so we are making progress .... just my view!

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Currie10 added 12:39 - Mar 27 Anderson I think is much better as a sub than starting, and he won't line up anytime soon. With Williams in the squad there really isn't much space for Donnolly now but next season could be a different story. I would say the Blackpool home game could be an ideal time for him to make his debut however, we'd surely without the want of sounding arrogant be at least 1-0 up on the 80 minute mark and could be a good idea - potentially the same with Kenyu?!

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swarby_7 added 12:49 - Mar 27 @Currie10 Loving the name mash ups! Donnolly would certainly add a different dynamic to games if he's as quick and tricky as the reports say. Very different option to Panderson, Jabb and Shunt. Looking forward to seeing Jilliams rip up defences again too. Him, Tishop, Durphy, Didz(mash up isn't good) and Fears could be unplayable at times and should have plenty of goals in them.

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Currie10 added 13:58 - Mar 27 Lets all get mashed! It's all about the remix.
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