Megan Connolly: 'I’ll be thinking of everyone who fought to get us here'

When the family collectively absorbed the latest tributary in Megan Connolly's career, her father Mick recalled his daughter's familiar gesture for perspective.

“Megan just points to that tattoo on her arm that states everything happens for a reason.” 

It was still a shock. Brighton and Hove Albion are in overhaul mode and Connolly was an early casualty, one of five players culled by new manager Melissa Phillips in May after surviving the drop from the Women’s Super League.

“The WSL is becoming bigger but more cutthroat,” the Cork 26-year-old surmises.

“You might think you’re doing a lot for the club but this industry is a business.” 

Others didn’t see it coming either but such is the unpredictability amid managerial upheaval.

“Megan is a fiercely loyal player and person,” said her Dad. “She’s played in three countries and just one club in each.

“She stayed local as a teen with Corinthians despite Cork City offering her national league level, then spent almost four years with Florida State and the same again at Brighton from 2019.

“I know how devastated she was to be released because she was settled by the coast in Brighton but she’s the type of character that moves on.

“Look at how John Egan and Conor Hourihane bounced back from leaving Sunderland to return stronger and play in the Premier League.” 

Neither of those two fellow Leesiders got to grace a World Cup, mind.

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Living in the shadow of Turner’s Cross fed the bug that began kicking around with her older brother.

Before Megan developed into a dual star for Corinthians and Nemo Rangers, Luke laid the template.

Only the opportunities were narrower for a girl.

The pair, along with sister Nicole, were unified in celebration on the Cross pitch the night the