Right: The quarter-time score between the Dandenong Demons and the Parkmore Pirates during the round nine match last season. Then coach of the Demons Gary Connolly has now climbed aboard the Pirates’ ship as an assistant coach. By Glen Atwell
GARY Connolly will turn from foe to friend for the Southern Football League division three side Parkmore Pirates this season.
The former senior coach of the Dandenong Demons is jumping on board the Pirates’ ship this season as an assistant coach.
He will be advising first-time coach and club saviour Richard Houston.
Last year the Pirates made headlines after being thrashed by a record 314-points in round nine by none other than the Connolly-coached Demons.
Connolly said he was planning to take a year off, having spent the past 30 years involved in local football, but could not resist the challenge at Parkmore.
“It’s a hard job to sell a team (to potential recruits) that was being belted by 40 or 50 goals every week last season,” he said.
“The challenge was a big incentive for me.”
With the club now made up of mostly new faces, Connolly said the Parkmore Pirates would be successful in 2006.
“It might sound strange, but the first aim is to just win a game,” he said.
“We’re definitely aiming to play finals football this season.”
