Connolly, Bernard

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Fullname: Bernard Connolly
aka: Barney Connolly
Born: 27 June 1894
Died: […]
Birthplace: Glasgow
Signed: 11 Feb 1913
Left: 1917 (Army); Cambuslang Rangers (1919)
Position: Centre Forward
Debut:
Celtic 1-0 Clyde, Charity Cup, 3 May 1913
Internationals
: none

BiogBernard Connolly

Bernard Connolly was a centre-forward who signed for Celtic in February 1913 from Vale of Clyde. He made his competitive first team debut in a 1-0 defeat of Clyde in the Charity Cup at Parkhead. He had signed for Celtic after a trial v the Cameronians from Maryhill Barracks.

A superb two goal performance from Barney Connolly in the final of the same competition against Rangers capped a remarkable Celtic comeback and gave the fans hope that they had found the man to succeed the great Jimmy Quinn.

At the start of the league season in 1913/14 he had a great league debut game scoring twice in a 5-1 victory over Ayr.

He scored a goal each in the next two games, 1-1 draw with Motherwell and 4-0 v Falkirk.

He had now scored 4 goals in his first 3 league games, which at anytime heralds a new hero. Yet it wasn’t to be.

Incredibly the goals dried up immediately after this run, and he wasn’t to score for Celtic again. Barney Connolly found himself soon out of favour.

He was given a second brief spell of games in 1916/17, but again in those four matches he couldn’t score a goal.

All his games were spread over just two seasons, 1913/14 & 1916/17. It is curious why everything turned so badly after such an exceptional start, but this has happened to others throughout the club’s history too.

It was wartime but Celtic were going through a fair run at this time, being the perennial league title winners during this era, with a great roster of stars in the first team. This likely hindered further opportunities for him to turn his own career around at Celtic.

After a number of loan spells at other clubs and a stint in the Army (1917) he eventually left Parkhead for Cambuslang Rangers in 1919.

Playing Career

APPEARANCES LEAGUE SCOTTISH CUP LEAGUE CUP EUROPE TOTAL
1913-19 13 13
Goals: 4 4

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League

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