Graeme Murty the Sunderland U21 manager has lauded Aaron Connolly's attitude and influence after the Irishman delivered a two-goal masterclass in Sunderland's win over Huddersfield in the Premier League Cup.
Connolly's performance comes off the back of his courageous interview last week, where he revealed he sought treatment for his struggles with alcohol that had led to a downward spiral in both his footballing career and his personal life.
While Sunderland may have taken a punt on Connolly this Autumn, the Oranmore man is paying them back in dividends, delivering three goals in two games for the club's U21 side. The first of Monday's saw Connolly fire the Black Cats ahead of Huddersfield after just four minutes.
Aaron Connolly, right place at the right time 👊 pic.twitter.com/p3js0tpbv0
— SAFC Academy (@AcademyOfLight) October 15, 2024
Despite only intending to play 60 minutes of the game, Connolly who could obviously smell blood stayed on the field until he sealed the deal with his second and Sunderland's third in the 72nd minute.
👏 Inch-perfect from AC! pic.twitter.com/jEUcO4W95y
— SAFC Academy (@AcademyOfLight) October 15, 2024
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Aaron Connolly hailed for Sunderland influence
Speaking after his side's 3-1 win over Huddersfield on Monday, U21 manager Graeme Murty didn't hold back in his praise of Connolly, celebrating not only the 24-year-old's on-field contributions but his influence on the club's younger players as well.
Training with the group, he's been really good to work with. He's really good at making sure he's vocal in his communication with the young players, he's teaching them by his example, but he's also given them good words of advice, he's also not shy about getting after a few people if they're below the standard, which is good.
He's a very good finisher, you see that in training all the time, but for him to do that today and last week as you said, it shows like he's gonna be a threat. So we want to make sure we showcase him as well as we possibly can, we want to support him as well as we can, but ultimately it's down to the players to show the right attitude, to take the opportunity and maximise the chance to get sharp and fit.
I think you saw from tonight he was quite disappointed when he came off after 72 minutes. Albeit he was supposed to come off at sixty but he wanted to stay on which is brilliant for us and it's a great example for the young players.
🗣️ 'The lads reacted well to a physical opponent. It's really pleasing...'
Graeme Murty gives his post-match reaction 👇 pic.twitter.com/vaRKmZP1zP— SAFC Academy (@AcademyOfLight) October 15, 2024
Despite Aaron Connolly revealing that his relationship with alcohol had severely influenced his attitude towards playing football, the comments coming from Sunderland's U21 boss certainly suggest that his love for the game and positive attitude has returned.
While he is yet to make a senior start for the club, his recent achievements should go a long way in getting the Oranmore man back to where he needs to be.
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