All the best to Ger Connolly

The words Dunbar legend get used far too frequently in reference to people that have contributed to the club in one way or another, but in this case it is justified predominantly due to the diverse number of ways that he has contributed – as a player for the AA2, AA3, AA4, AA5 and 35/2, as a coach of the AA5, AA4, Ressies and Prems, Director of Football, redesigning the preseason programme, setting up the fantasy football, Committee member (ESFA and State League), helping on BBQ, water boy and everything in between.
Ger joined the club in 2009 and found himself in Kev Nichols AA2s, with current Dunbar players David Withers, Ryan Coombs, James Muir, Ali Pavey, Keith Smith and Pete Daniels all unable to pronounce his name correctly. With plenty of friends made but 2 unsuccessful seasons on the pitch he moved to the AA5s where he began building a team from scratch that has evolved into today’s AA2s. One of the foundation AA5 players and current AA2s coach Cathair Kerr states Ger was a major influence in his decision to take up coaching and use a wide variety of drills at training.
The team won the double in 2013 in what was a glorious year for Ger, as he was also part of the successful Over35/2 squad that won the league and reached the Grand Final. Ger was voted Coach of the year by his peers and was appointed Will Cullens assistant Coach/Ressies team Manager for 2014.
The 2014 Ressies won the double with an experienced squad that included regular appearances from club stalwarts Danny Fee and Mike Hemmingway mixed in with some slightly younger faces who this year have stepped up to perform admirably in the Prems.
In 2015 after some uncertainty surrounding the coaching positions, Ger joined Peter Hennessy’s State League working group and was also appointed ESFA Championship Head Coach. With help from Lee Burney, they completely rebuilt the squad using last years Ressies, the top players from All Age grades and also some of the players who narrowly missed out on State League selection. Both teams have done the club proud with the Prems finishing an excellent 4th, whilst making the Semi final and the ESFA Cup Final and the Ressies finishing 3rd, with the Grand Final still to play.
Best wishes on behalf of everyone at Dunbar Rovers to Ger and his family during his time out of the game. I am sure it won’t be long until he is back in football as Republic of Ireland manager, if they can afford him……

Thanks and all the best
Written by Ali Pavey