Ayr United's Kenny Connolly vows to repay club's faith

Jan 30 2009 by Mike Wilson

NEW boy Kenny Connolly has vowed to repay Ayr’s faith by helping them to promotion.

The 21-year-old, who battled back from a horror leg break, has come off the bench twice after signing from Motherwell.

And he revealed how his close friendship with striker David Gormley opened the door for a move to Somerset Park.

Connolly said: “I’m a good friend of David and stay only five minutes down the road from him. We played together in the youths at Motherwell and he told me what a good club Ayr is.

“After leaving Motherwell, I trained with Partick Thistle, played a game with Stirling and spoke to Alloa. But I was sold on joining Ayr after training with them one night. Manager Brian Reid has given me a lot of confidence that I’ll play here and that swayed my decision.”

Connolly was told to expect a year on the sidelines when he broke his leg in a reserve game against Kilmarnock in December last year.

He revealed: “The physio John Porteous got me back in eight months and I’m feeling stronger and fitter than ever. Ayr have given me a chance and now I want to help them play in the First Division next season.”

Connolly, who plays right back or midfield, made three first team appearances for Motherwell.