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Gary Connolly
Gary John Connolly (born 22 June 1971) is an English former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer.
He spent most of his career in rugby league, playing in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s as a fullback and centre for St Helens, Canterbury Bulldogs, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos and for the Great Britain national team. He also played rugby union for Harlequins, Orrell and Munster.
Connolly was born in St Helens, England, and played rugby league for Blackbrook during his youth. He started his professional career with his hometown club, St Helens, making his debut in January 1989 against Hull Kingston Rovers. At 17 years old, he started at fullback in St Helens' 0–27 defeat by their arch rivals Wigan at Wembley Stadium in the 1989 Challenge Cup final on the back of some impressive performances. It was the first time in Challenge Cup Final history at Wembley that a team had been held scoreless.
Connolly was initially signed to play at fullback, but was used as a centre by Saints coach Mike McClennan, a position he would continue to play for the majority of his career. He won his first silverware during the 1991–92 season, playing at centre in St Helens' 24–14 victory over Rochdale Hornets in the 1991 Lancashire Cup Final at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington, on Sunday 20 October 1991.
During the 1992–93 season, Connolly played at centre in the 4–5 defeat by Wigan in the 1992 Lancashire Cup Final at Knowsley Road, St. Helens, on Sunday 18 October 1992. St Helens also reached the 1993 Premiership final at Old Trafford, and this time defeated Wigan, with Connolly scoring a try in the 10–4 win.
Connolly then played 15 games of the 1993 NSWRL season with Sydney club Canterbury-Bankstown, helping them become minor premiers that year. While with the Bulldogs, Connolly played mostly in the centres and crossed for five tries, including two on debut against South Sydney. While Connolly was a star import for the Bulldogs, his worst game came when Brisbane Broncos international centre Steve Renouf scored 4 tries against him in their game at the ANZ Stadium.
While still at Canterbury, St Helens accepted a £250,000 bid for Connolly from rivals Wigan in July 1993. His move was a controversial one, and many St Helens followers labelled him 'Judas'.
Connolly was a member of the successful Wigan team of the mid-1990s. After the 1993–94 Rugby Football League season he travelled with defending champions Wigan to Brisbane for the 1994 World Club Challenge, as a fullback in their 20–14 win over Australian premiers the Brisbane Broncos at the ANZ Stadium in front of a World Club Challenge record attendance of 54,220.
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Gary Connolly
Gary John Connolly (born 22 June 1971) is an English former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer.
He spent most of his career in rugby league, playing in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s as a fullback and centre for St Helens, Canterbury Bulldogs, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos and for the Great Britain national team. He also played rugby union for Harlequins, Orrell and Munster.
Connolly was born in St Helens, England, and played rugby league for Blackbrook during his youth. He started his professional career with his hometown club, St Helens, making his debut in January 1989 against Hull Kingston Rovers. At 17 years old, he started at fullback in St Helens' 0–27 defeat by their arch rivals Wigan at Wembley Stadium in the 1989 Challenge Cup final on the back of some impressive performances. It was the first time in Challenge Cup Final history at Wembley that a team had been held scoreless.
Connolly was initially signed to play at fullback, but was used as a centre by Saints coach Mike McClennan, a position he would continue to play for the majority of his career. He won his first silverware during the 1991–92 season, playing at centre in St Helens' 24–14 victory over Rochdale Hornets in the 1991 Lancashire Cup Final at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington, on Sunday 20 October 1991.
During the 1992–93 season, Connolly played at centre in the 4–5 defeat by Wigan in the 1992 Lancashire Cup Final at Knowsley Road, St. Helens, on Sunday 18 October 1992. St Helens also reached the 1993 Premiership final at Old Trafford, and this time defeated Wigan, with Connolly scoring a try in the 10–4 win.
Connolly then played 15 games of the 1993 NSWRL season with Sydney club Canterbury-Bankstown, helping them become minor premiers that year. While with the Bulldogs, Connolly played mostly in the centres and crossed for five tries, including two on debut against South Sydney. While Connolly was a star import for the Bulldogs, his worst game came when Brisbane Broncos international centre Steve Renouf scored 4 tries against him in their game at the ANZ Stadium.
While still at Canterbury, St Helens accepted a £250,000 bid for Connolly from rivals Wigan in July 1993. His move was a controversial one, and many St Helens followers labelled him 'Judas'.
Connolly was a member of the successful Wigan team of the mid-1990s. After the 1993–94 Rugby Football League season he travelled with defending champions Wigan to Brisbane for the 1994 World Club Challenge, as a fullback in their 20–14 win over Australian premiers the Brisbane Broncos at the ANZ Stadium in front of a World Club Challenge record attendance of 54,220.