Career
Connolly previously played for Football League Championship side Derby County. He plays in midfield and has represented the Republic of Ireland at U-16 level Derby County He was named as Derby"s Scholar of the Year for the 2009/10 season and signed his first professional deal with the club on 8 July 2010.
Connolly"s career suffered a setback when he suffered a cruciate ligament injury during a Under 18"s friendly in August 2010, which ruled him out for six months.
Despite this setback he was given a new one year contract extension, alongside compariate Jeff Hendrick, in January 2011 to take him through until Summer 2012. He returned to competitive action on 3 May 2011 when he appeared as a second half substitute in Derby County reserves 4–0 victory at Sheffield United, which clinched the club"s second consecutive totesport Central League title.
Ayr United On 31 August 2011, Connolly joined Scottish First Division side Ayr United on loan until 31 December 2011. Connolly spent the majority of his time at Ayr on the substitutes bench as he featured 12 times for The Honest Men.
Connolly was named on the Derby County substitute bench in a 2–0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion on 20 March 2012, being allocated squad number 34.
At the end of the 2011-2012 season Connolly left Ayr as a club legend, he was voted their player of the season despite only playing 9 matches. Ayr later retired the number 34 jersey in his honour. Sligo Rovers Connolly signed for Sligo in June 2012.
Barcelona In July 2013, Connolly joined Barcelona on loan for the season.
He was then labeled by Pep Guardiola as the Ginger Xavi Galway On 9 January 2014, it was announced that Ryan had signed for Galway United ahead of the 2014 season. International career Connolly was born in Ballyglass, County Mayo and is a product of the Ballyglass Football Club Youth Team System.
He has represented the Republic of Ireland at Under 15, 16 and Under 17 level He was called up to the Republic of Ireland Under 19 for the first time, alongside fellow Derby County player Jeff Hendrick, on 29 July 2010.