Dylan Connolly (footballer, born 2000)
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Dylan Christopher Connolly[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 16 May 2000 | ||
| Place of birth | Celbridge, Ireland[2] | ||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Auckland City | ||
| Number | 19 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2018 | Shelburne | ||
| 2018 | Drogheda United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2022 | Lucan United | ||
| 2024 | Tupapa Maraerenga | 0 | (0) |
| 2024 | Birkenhead United | 27 | (1) |
| 2025– | Auckland City | 12 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2023 | Republic of Ireland amateurs | 2 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 9 August 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 11 June 2023 | |||
Dylan Christopher Connolly (born 16 May 2000)[3] is an Irish footballer who plays as a defender for Auckland City.[4][5]
Early career
Connolly started his youth football for the Shelbourne academy before joining the Drogheda United academy in 2018. In 2020, Connolly signed for Lucan United in the Leinster Senior League.[6][7]
Tupapa Maraerenga
In 2024, Connolly joined Cook Islands side Tupapa Maraerenga for the 2024 OFC Champions League.[8]
Birkenhead United
Connolly signed for Birkenhead United on 22 January 2024, after previously training with them at the end of 2023. He joining the squad after competing with Tupapa Maraerenga in the qualifying stage of the OFC Champions League.[8][9] He made his debut on 23 March 2024, against Western Springs in the Northern League.[10] Connolly helped Birkenhead United qualify for the 2024 New Zealand National League grand final, eventually losing 2–1 to Auckland City after extra time.[11][12]
Auckland City
On 28 January 2025, Connolly signed for Auckland City for the 2025 Northern League.[13] In June 2025, Connolly was named in Auckland City's squad for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the club's tenth appearance in the tournament.[1] He played in the final group game, a 1–1 draw with Boca Juniors.[14] This was their first non-defeated result since the 2014 edition.[15][failed verification]
International career
On 7 June 2023, Connolly was named in the Republic of Ireland amateurs squad for the 2023 UEFA Regions' Cup.[16] He made his debut on 9 June 2023 against Galicia. He made two appearances at the tournament, as Republic of Ireland were eliminated in the group stage of the final tournament.[17][18]
Personal life
A semi-professional footballer, Connolly also works as a physiotherapist and football coach in Auckland.[6][19] While living in Dublin, he attended Trinity College Dublin.[20] His younger brother, Aaron, also plays football for Athlone Town in the League of Ireland First Division.