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Fullname: Denis Connaghan
Born: 9 Jan 1945
Birthplace: Glasgow
Signed: 3 May 1963 & 25 Oct 1971
Position: Goalkeeper
Internationals: none

Biog

Goalkeeper Denis Connaghan first joined Celtic on provisional terms as a youngster in May 1963 but was released by the club less than a year later.

He initially went on to play junior football but eventually returned to Celtic Park in October 1971 after making a name for himself at senior level with St Mirren.

Brought by Jock Stein to compete with the inconsistent Evan Williams, Connaghan made his debut for the Bhoys in a 2-1 league win at Dunfermline on October 27th 1971, four days after the 4-1 League Cup Final debacle against Partick Thistle at Hampden.

A steady if unspectacular performer, Denis never really established himself as the automatic first choice No1 and he spent most of his time at Parkhead battling Williams and latterly Ally Hunter for a first team start.

Connaghan played in the semi finals othe European Cup against the disgraceful Spaniards Atletico Madrid and he had a magnificent game in the 2nd leg in Madrid when Celtic almost pulled of the impossible. He played in the 1974 Scottish Cup final winning side (Dundee United 3-0) and was in the team that clinched a ninth successive league title at Brockville in April 1974.

He is perhaps best remembered for saving two penalties against Rangers in a penalty shoot out in the 1974 Drybrough Cup Final although he was out of the side by September having shouldered the blame for the 1-2 defeat to Rangers at Celtic Park when he lost a soft goal to Rangers' Ian McDougall.

Denis was released by Celtic in April 1977 by which time he had made 56 appearances and kept 22 clean sheets. A likeable individual, Connaghan had been a faithful servant to the Bhoys who never once complained of his constant shuttling between first team and reserves.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

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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 occassion 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"?