REPUBLIC OF IRELAND underage international Luca Connell says it was a “dream come true” to make his first-team debut for Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
Connell was introduced as a late substitute for Luke Murphy as the Championship strugglers booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup at the expense of Walsall.
While he was only afforded a few minutes of game-time in the 5-2 victory, a first taste of senior action for his club represented a significant step in the right direction for the 17-year-old midfielder, who can also operate as a full-back.
Connell became the first player born this millennium to feature in a competitive game for Bolton Wanderers, a club he first joined at the age of nine.
“Dream come true to [have] made my senior debut today in the FA Cup against Walsall,” he wrote on Twitter. “Couldn’t [have] done this without the help from the team, my friends and family and the supporters. Hopefully many more to come.”
The Liverpool-born youngster has been making progress recently by featuring regularly for Bolton’s U23s. He has also captained the club’s U18 side.
“He is a good player and trains with the first-team often,” Bolton boss Phil Parkinson said of Connell after Saturday’s game. “He has done well in the U23s and we are very pleased with his progress.”
Dream come true to of made my senior debut today in the FA cup against Walsall, couldn’t of done this without the help from the team, my friends and family and the supporters, hopefully many more to come ⚪️👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/JcumeLn5R6
— luca (@lucaconnell) January 5, 2019
After Connell played for Bolton’s first-team last July in a pre-season friendly against Halifax Town, U18 manager Nicky Spooner told The Bolton News: “I’ve known Luca since he was eight years old. We signed him at nine, when we could, and he’s come all the way through the system.
“He’s a Liverpool lad, so we had to get ahead of the bigger clubs over there. We took him in but they’ve been sniffing at him for years and recognise his talent.”
On the international scene, Connell helped Ireland’s U18s to victories over Belgium and the Netherlands at an Invitational Tournament in Spain back in November. Earlier in 2018, he was a member of the U17 squad that reached the quarter-finals of the European Championship.
Connell is the second player from that U17 crop to make a first-team club debut in England in the space of a week. Cork-born midfielder Adam O’Reilly featured for Preston North End in their 1-1 draw with Aston Villa in the Championship.
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I reckon they’ll put him in the 23 shirt. He hasn’t played a game in 5 months and this is a must win game. Henshaw and Osborne have been solid so far already this season.
It’s harsh on Osborne but I’d start Ringrose, he’s World Class, but would put Osborne on the bench, meaning no 6-2 so Connors misses out.
Interesting selection call, Leo might go 5/3 to fit him on the bench . Would be a big ask to start him after 5 months of no game time
@Owen ODonoghue: Big risk indeed, but I think worth it, our attack and defence without GR hasn’t been at the same level – RH and JO are really 12s who can fill in at 13 (thought RH was actually a brilliant 13 up until the last 6 months when he’s played there regularly and has only been ok)
@Andrew Slazenger: And by ok I mean in the specific roles a 13 has, shutting the door on outside channel, calling the rush, biting in or not and then striking into outside space in attack, knowing when to take on the space or distribute etc etc as a rugby player RH has been excellent though
@Andrew Slazenger: I get your point! Robbie’s recent journey, since his return from injury, has been impacted in Green by Bundee’s stellar 2023 and Garry’s absence in Blue. The fact that he has been doing a brilliant job at 13 is in part a reflection of the lack of competition there and the surfeit of talent at 12. Robbie is still the best 12 on the island and makes most impact on games when he plays there.
@John Morris: bundee best 12 in world
@Owen ODonoghue: still go 6/ 2. Garry and Robbie. Frawley and foley cover the whole backline.
@chris mcdonnell: Hmm, could be interesting. Foley is having a great season.
@chris mcdonnell: based on McBrydes update it looks very likely a 6/2 with Frawley and McGrath as backs cover
@Gary Galligan: yep and we have 3 other excellent centres with Ringrose, Henshaw and McCloskey
Our depth is crazy too with Osborne, Forde, Gavin coming through and the likes of Frawley, Crowley and JOB all able to play there. Its like Irelands backrow depth now
@Owen ODonoghue: 100 pc. Pity about loose head props
@Owen ODonoghue: mcgrath is not a better option than foley. JgP is playing the full game barring injury so why not have a player who can play more than one position
@chris mcdonnell: i agree with you, Leo does not tho!
They said ringrose available last week to let’s see if he gets named on the team v bulls
Seeing lots of chatter on here about 5-3 vs 6-2 and how that affects Ringrose. I think he’s a naturally very fit guy but would a big ask to play at the high altitude with no game time in 5 months? My initial thoughts are go 6-2, well because it’s a Springbok team, but you can’t hardly start Ringrose can you so he’d miss out? But because it’s such a physical toll playing that high up will we need 3 back subs as guys are likely to be absolutely gassed. In any case – Leinster have badly missed Ringrose in both attack and D.
I think Osbourne & Ringrose will start as centres. The bench is likely to be 5-3 unless Foley surpasses McGrath as scrumhalf back-up & emergency wing cover.
@D Farrell: u dropping Robbie ?? Lol