Connolly pleads for Republic recall

WIGAN striker David Connolly has urged Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr to end two years of personal hurt and recall him to the international fold.

Despite 40 caps to his name, Connolly has not played for Ireland since the country’s devastating 2-0 European Championship qualifying defeat by Switzerland in October 2003.

Connolly effectively became one of the fall guys for the Republic’s failure to reach the finals in Portugal, earning his last call-up just under a year ago, only to withdraw through injury.