'I've fallen back in love with game,' says Connolly after U21 star turn

After starring for Ireland U21s the attacker is eager to finish the job in Tel Aviv and get back to the heights of his breakout spell

Back in the swing of things: Conor Coventry, left, and Aaron Connolly of Republic of Ireland after the UEFA European U21 Championship play-off first leg match between Republic of Ireland and Israel at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Aaron Connolly revealed that he has fallen back in love with football. And now the striker is aiming to fire the Republic of Ireland to an historic Uefa European Under-21 Championship.

Despite not scoring in the 1-1 drawn first-leg with Israel at Tallaght Stadium, the Galway native picked up the man of the match accolade. He has now targeted turning his career back around on loan at Venezia with an eye to forcing his way back to Brighton spotlight. And back into Stephen Kenny’s senior squad. But first he wants to help Jim Crawford's side make it to next summer's European Championships.