The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Connolly shows what a loss he will be for Pars
M1 0
ark Connolly’s actions spoke louder than words at the weekend and he is hopeful Dunfermline can continue to do their talking on the pitch without him as they seek Championship survival.
The Dundee United defender was coy on his future after making the final appearance of his loan spell at East End Park but appears to be heading home to Ireland to Dundalk.
After a typically robust and redoubtable display that helped the Pars to a potentially vital three points in their relegation battle, the 30-year-old said his farewells as he left the pitch with three points tucked away as a goingaway present.
John Hughes thanked the combative centre-half for his service to the Fifers and acknowledged he faces a mountainous task in trying to plug the gap Connolly now leaves at the heart of his rearguard.
But the player is optimistic that the spirited victory – earned by Ryan Dow’s first-half strike and a tenacious second-half defensive effort – is proof the team he is leaving behind will not be saying their goodbyes to the second tier.
A thigh injury ensured Connolly missed the Cappielow capitulation in the previous weekend’s embarrassing 5-0 hammering from Morton, but he is hopeful Dunfermline are on the up.
He said: “The manager spoke to me earlier in the week and said, ‘I want you back in for Saturday’. so I made it my priority to make sure I was back.
“If it is my last game I’m delighted to leave on a clean sheet and a win, because it was much needed.
“Since I’ve come here I’ve had a priority to make sure I do well for Dunfermline.
“It’s a club where there’s some amazing people behind the scenes. They’re working hard to get it right and since the manager’s come in he’s been brilliant.
“I certainly hope Dunfermline will be OK. There’s definitely the right people – good people – in charge.
“There’s a young team there who are sometimes a little bit naive. But generally they’re good boys and they want to do well.
“It’s a big football club and one that I feel should be in the Premiership.
“A lot of people have said that over the years but it takes a lot of hard work, it takes getting recruitment right and getting the right players in and working hard.
“You need a bit of quality but you also need to roll your sleeves up.
“I think the boys did that but it can’t just be a one-off. It needs to be every week – that’s how you win leagues and win games if you’re in a relegation battle.
“But I certainly hope they’ll be OK.”
A no-holds-barred contest was decided after half an hour. Fittingly, Dunfermline had to work hard to get the ball over the line; it was that kind of afternoon.
Lewis Mccann headed a superb Josh Edwards cross on target, only to see Joe Hilton repel his net-bound effort.
The Hamilton goalkeeper then brilliantly deflected Dow’s brave follow-up header on to the underside of the crossbar.
Dunfermline claimed the ball had crossed the line but Dow managed to bundle in the ricochet to make sure.
The Pars were in no mood to let their narrow lead slip and, led by Connolly, defended as if their lives depended on it.
Brilliantly served in midfield by the energetic triumvirate of Matty Todd, Paul Allan and Dan Pybus, Steven Lawless was a magnificent outlet in attack.
Dow could have added a second shortly after the break, only to be denied at the post by Accies full-back Matthew Shiels, who was himself later foiled by a fantastic Owain Fon Williams save.
When Connolly got his head in the way of Dan O’reilly’s volley in the last moment of injury-time, it was a fitting end to a stirring display.