IN case anyone was in need of further proof, Mark Connolly cemented his status as a no-nonsense defender on Saturday with a typically brave headed block in the dying seconds of his team’s victory against Hamilton. 

The Dunfermline defender’s heroics are perhaps even more impressive when you consider it was likely to be his last act in the club’s colours. 

The Irishman looks set to seal a switch back to his homeland following the end of his loan from Dundee United. Although he remained coy on an his future, manager John Hughes said he was sorry to see the stopper leave, but that he was departing with his “blessing”. 

Connolly explained: “If it is my last game I’m delighted to leave on a clean sheet and a win because it’s much needed.” 

While the 30-year-old won praise for putting his body on the line, he also joked it could be a “problem” for an ageing player. “It’s full throttle, I can’t really go half-hearted because that’s not my game,” Connolly said. 

Reflecting on what seems likely to be his final appearance for the Pars, he added: “I’m still waiting to see what happens, but I’m just delighted we won today.” 

Hughes, who seems resigned to losing his standout centre-back, made it clear that his preference would be for Connolly to stay and help his side move clear of the relegation zone. The Irishman suggested that would be unlikely, however. “It’s not that I don’t want to be at this football club,” he said. “There are other things that are big factors in life so we’re just going to wait and see what happens.” 

He insisted that the “right people” are in charge of the team to help them escape relegation – an effort given a huge boost by the team’s 1-0 win at East End Park.  

“I think there’s good people behind the scenes,” Connolly said. “There’s a young team there that are sometimes a little bit naïve but generally they’re good boys. They want to do well and they hurt when they’re not winning.” 

Even in his absence, he is desperate to see the club climb out of its current mire. “It’s a big football club … a club I think should be in the Premiership. I think a lot of people have said it over the years but it takes hard work, it takes getting the right players in and working hard. You need a bit of quality but you need to work hard, like the boys did today. 

“But it can’t just be a one-off, it needs to be every week and that’s how you win leagues and win games and get out of relegation.” 

Meanwhile, it was a disappointing result for Hamilton, who are now under threat in their position as the best of the teams cut adrift in the bottom half of the Championship. 

New loan signing Kai Kennedy would no doubt have hoped to have made more of an impact as he faced up against the team he departed earlier last week. Appearing as a second-half substitute, the Rangers youngster struggled, as all of Hamilton’s forwards did, to leave his mark on the game. 

Explaining the January switch from Dunfermline to Hamilton, Kennedy said: “Having played against them this season I think they've played well. The way they play football suits me. Obviously Saturday wasn't great but going forward it will suit me personally.” 

The youngster was at least offered consolation from his former manager Hughes. The passing Dunfermline boss interjected to say: "You'll be alright. He's a star"