Denis Connaghan | Anecdotes

Anecdote

Frank Haffey a Celtic keeper of the early 1960's is generally regarded as being one of the more eccentric players to have played for the Hoops.However on one occasion even Frank was surpassed in terms of doing "daft" things by Denis Connaghan a keeper signed from St.Mirren by Jock Stein in October 1971.

In the 1974-75 season in a first round Dryborough Cup game at Broomfield Celtic were coasting 4-1 against Airdrie - Denis went to throw the ball out to Danny McGrain who was playing left back (not his usual right back role that day) and as he went to throw it he changed his mind as he thought Danny was covered by Airdrie's winger but as he was in mid-throw at this point he lost control of the ball and ended up throwing the ball into the Celtic goal to make the score 4-2.

Fortunately Celtic still won so Denis got let off fairly lightly by Jock Stein.

Jock Stein was never a great fan of the Dryborough Cup which was played early in the season - Jock used it more as a build-up and experimental tournament towards the League Championship.Jock only took it seriously when Rangers were involved and that year having beaten Dundee in the semi-final Celtic played Rangers in the Final - the game itself ended up a draw and therefore went to penalties.

Denis Connaghan was the hero in the penalty shoot out and Celtic won it 4-2 - so at the end of the day the Gorbals born Denis redeemed himself although he apparently still gets asked "Do you remember the day you threw that ba' in the net"?