Connolly, Patrick

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Fullname: Patrick Connolly
aka: The Greyhound, Paddy Connolly
Born: 14 April 1901
Died: 18 Feb 1969
Birthplace: Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
Signed: 2 Dec 1921
Left: 6 Feb 1933 (to Hibs)
Position: Right-Winger
Debut: Clyde 1-1 Celtic, League, 3 Jan 1922
Internationals: none

Biog

Patrick Connolly was a lightning quick winger much loved by the Celtic fans of the 1920s.

As a person he was said to be an unassuming character, but this belied a tremendous natural talent. For his speed he became christened by some as ‘The Greyhound’, and it was widely believed that he was even faster than the much lauded Scottish athlete Eric Lidell.

The Hamilton-born outside-right started his career at Kirkintilloch Rob Roy before joining the Bhoys in December 1921. He made his debut on January 3 1922 in a 1-1 league draw at Clyde. Paddy Connolly’s greatest asset was undoubtedly his blistering pace which he used to great effect to terrorise opposition defences.

At first it was difficult to make his mark as Celtic already had Adam McLean on the left-wing. Maley though in the middle of season 1922/23 moved McLean to the inside and Connolly was put on the wing. This worked as Celtic went on to win the Scottish Cup that season, our first since the war.

With the exciting Paddy Connolly in the side Celtic could be a lethal team on the break, with the winger’s speed used to great effect in turning defence into attack. An early proponent of the counter-attack in football.

Once free of his defender Paddy Connolly was more than capable of delivering inch perfect crosses on to the head of Jimmy McGrory. He was also more than capable of cutting in from his wing and helping himself to a goal. He was devastating at his best.

He struggled in season 1923/24, but it was 1924/25 when Paddy Connolly was moved to the right-wing on the departure of Andy McAtee. It wasn’t a hugely successful season for Celtic, but in the important match against Rangers, saw Celtic rip them apart 5-0 with Paddy Connolly being too fast for Rangers to cope with.

Season 1925/26 was possibly his most important, and saw Celtic take the coveted league title with the great forward line of Connolly, Thomson, McGrory, McInally and McLean.

The great Jimmy McGrory rated Paddy Connolly so highly that he selected the player as right-wing in his all time Celtic XI. Quite a feat when you take in that put him ahead of the much more heralded Jimmy Delaney and Jimmy Johnstone. As Jimmy McGrory was to put it:

“Paddy’s speed and his ability to make the cross from right or left with either foot without having to steady him self and tee up the ball were tremendous assets to us.”

While much loved by McGrory and the support, Connolly was not always so highly regarded by the board and during his time at Parkhead he had a number of wrangles with the club over reduced terms. Got to the point where from 1928 he would hold out each season then re-sign but by 1932 he was training at Albion Rovers.

After a number of brief loan spells Paddy Connolly finally departed Celtic Park in the summer on 1933. He had played 296 games and scored 46 goals. As Celtic were beginning their slow decline after their great hegemony in the game in the past generation or two, then Paddy Connolly’s list of medals is far sparser than deserves to be. He was a fine player who stuck by the club and helped push it forward.

Sadly, he was never awarded a Scotland cap, winning only a cap for the Scottish League side.

Paddy Connolly was a fan’s player and a real crowd favourite, and true Celtic great.

In his definitive biography of Jimmy McGrory, “Heroes are Forever”, John Cairney wrote:-

“McGrory remembered clearly the pre-game tactical advice given by Patsy Gallacher just as soon as Willie Maley shut the dressing-room door on his way up to take his seat in the directors’ box. Patsy often put his finger on what was needed against particular opponents, especially Rangers … or he would joke to lift morale.

“One day he took the young winger, Paddy Connolly, aside. Paddy had just succeeded Andy McAtee in the side, and because of his speed was nicknamed ‘The Greyhound’. Patsy told him loudly: ‘Now look, son, you’re in the side because you’re fast. Don’t be gettin’ any notions you’re here for any other reason. When you get to the by­line, get that ball across for Jimmy here’s head – and make sure you get the lace on your side so that it’s away from his forehead. We don’t want him cuttin’ himself now, do we? You just go and practise that an’ you’ll be fine, so you will.’

“This kind of banter with words more or less to that effect, spoken quietly with all of the Mighty Atom’s authority, was taken very seriously. Connolly did practise, and Jimmy McGrory scored a lot of goals from his pinpoint crosses.“

After football he lived a quiet life. He passed away in 1969 after a long illness.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League

• 1925-26

Scottish Cup

• 1923, 1925, 1927

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