Conroy, Mike (1977-82)

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Note: There has been more than one player to have played for Celtic with the same name, so please check the other namesakes if need be.

Personal

Fullname: Michael Conroy
aka: Mike Conroy, Mick Conroy
Born: 31 July 1957
Birthplace: Johnstone, Renfrewshire
Signed: 10 April 1978
Left: 11 October 1982 (to Hibs)
Position: Midfield/Centre-back
First game : Hibernian away league 1-4, 15 April 1978
Last game : Dunfermline Athletic away league cup 7-1, 28 August 1982
First goal : Hibernian away league 1-4, 15 April 1978
Last goal : Dundee home league 3-1, 5 December 1981
Internationals none

Biog

A hard working midfielder Michael Conroy was a surprise signing for Celtic in April 1978 from Port Glasgow Juniors.

Son of Michael Snr, a noted Celtic right-half of the 1950’s, Conroy was steeped in the Celtic tradition and although he may have been limited as a player he was a faithful servant who was always willing to graft irrespective of the position he was played in.

Conroy scored on his debut on April 15 1978 in the disastrous 1-4 defeat at Easter Road on a day when Jock Stein remonstrated with young Celtic fans who had invaded the field in frustration at the team’s inept display and ultimately cost Celtic a place in the UEFA Cup the next season.

When Billy McNeill took over as Celtic manager in June 1978 he looked to the younger players and Mike became a regular in his Celtic side. In September 1978 he had a fine game in the important 3-1 win over Rangers at Parkhead. He lost his place mid season but regained it by the Spring of 1979 and was part of the legendary Celtic team who beat Rangers by 4-2 on May 21rst 1979, on the night John Doyle was sent off to leave the team with 10 men, to win the Scottish league in the most dramatic fashion and Mike Conroy had won his first medal.

Mike was also an important part of the squad which won league titles in 1981 and 1982 and was an absolute standout in the 1-0 1980 Scottish Cup final triumph over Rangers when he was asked to play at centre half when Celtic had regular centre backs McAdam, MacDonald and Casey either injured or suspended for the final. He was always at his best in Celtic – Rangers games and the aggressive nature of the fixture suited his style.

In the 1980/81 season he was a fine replacement for the injured Murdo MacLeod in the Celtic midfield and had notable performances in the wins over Rangers at Parkhead 3-1, and at Ibrox 1-0, on the day that Celtic virtually clinched the title. In the 1981/82 Mike mainly covered for Tommy Burns when he was injured and he scored a fine solo goal against Dundee in December 1981 in a 3-1 win at Celtic Park.

The emergence of Paul McStay in the Celtic midfield meant Conroy’s appearances were becoming limited and he played his last game for Celts in the 7-1 thrashing of Dunfermline Athletic on 28 August 1982.

He made 89 appearances for Celtic and scored 14 goals before leaving for Hibernian in October 1982 for a fee of £40,000. Mike Conroy was a player with great heart and will to win which shone through in his appearances for Celtic. It was to prove a bad decision to allow him to go as the experienced, versatile, midfielder would have been useful given the midfield injury crisis that Celtic suffered in the spring of 1983 which ultimately cost them the title that year.

His most important goal in the hoops was the winner against Hearts at Parkhead on 14 May 1979 in a 1-0 win which set Celtic up for the immortal title decider against Rangers seven days later (“Ten Men Who Won The League“).

Mike Conroy is fondly remembered to this day.

Post-Celtic

Mike Conroy went on to have a career in management with Cork City. He was sacked by Cork City in 1993 but by that time he had established strong roots in Ireland. He even managed a Cork City side that beat Celtic 2-0 in a pre-season friendly in 1993. He went on to establish a Soccer School of Excellence and was responsible for pointing both Colin Healy and Liam Miller to the club, both of whom went on to have full professional careers with Celtic and other clubs. He has also worked in the media as a journalist, football pundit and commentator in Ireland.

Quotes

“It was a tremendous wrench leaving Celtic…Celtic were in my blood.”
Mike Conroy

Playing Career

APPEARANCES LEAGUE SCOTTISH CUP LEAGUE CUP EUROPE TOTAL
1978-82 66 6 14 3 89
Goals: 9 1 3 1 14
Club Seasons Appearances Goals
Celtic
 1978-1982
some sites have
 89
73 (15)
 14
13
Hibernian 1982-1984 31 2
Blackpool 1984-1986 66 2
Wrexham 1986-1987 25 2
Leyton Orient 1987-1988 3 0
Cork City
(Player-manager)		 1988-1993 Unknown
TOTALS
 214
 20

Honours with Celtic

League Championship

Scottish Cup

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