Connolly (left) - made international bow in 1996.

By Alistair Grant, PA Sport

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The adjustment from First Division football with Wimbledon to international action with the Republic of Ireland is simple for whippet-like striker David Connolly.

The pacy, skilful forward has a season's worth of First Division graft alongside veteran target man Neil Shipperley under his belt - and this summer he hopes to play an identical role, embarking on darting runs to feed off Irish legend Niall Quinn.

Beanpole Sunderland hitman Quinn will almost certainly bow out of international football after World Cup 2002.

For Connolly, who will turn 25 the day after the Emerald Isle take on declining Germany in Ibaraki, the competition represents the culmination of a year-long re-emergence with both club and country.

It was back in May 1996 that the Willesden-born player won the first of his 31 international caps against Portugal - and soon racked up goals for his country.

The 18-year-old frontman had already established himself at Watford, making an impression which Dutch giants Feyenoord recognised when they snapped him up on a Bosman free transfer.

However, diminutive Connolly - he is only 5ft 6in and weighs 10st 6lb - struggled to make the grade with the Rotterdam side.

Perhaps it was not surprising that such a youthful player had trouble adjusting to the challenges of living and playing in a different country but he did prove his ability on loan stints.

He was farmed out to Division Two outfit Excelsior, where he went goal crazy in 2000 and blitzed 48 goals, creating such a stir that he was named the division's top player.

After a loan spell back in England with Wolves, he seized his place in the Feyenoord first XI early last year and fired them into the Champions League.

That return of seven goals in 15 games prompted the offer of a fresh contract from his Dutch club.

Connolly though, despite the deal on the table and interest from AZ Alkmaar, opted to return to London and signed for Wimbledon.

Connolly has impressed in front of goal for the Dons this term with more than a dozen to his name by the end of January.

For the Republic he has hit the net a total of eight times - and is hungry for more this summer.

Leeds striker Robbie Keane will have something to say about that as he challenges for the striking berth alongside Quinn.

But when - rather than if - the Dons man gets his chance, expect non-stop running, turns-on-a-sixpence and the goalscoring ability that will have the Irish supporters toasting his achievements with a drop of the black stuff.