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{{Short description|Galway hurler}}
{{Infobox GAA player
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox Gaelic games player
| code= Hurling
| code= Hurling
| sport = Hurling
| sport = Hurling
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| name = Joe Connolly
| name = Joe Connolly
| irish = Seosamh Ó Conghaile
| irish = Seosamh Ó Conghaile
Line 8: Line 12:
| feet = 5
| feet = 5
| inches = 11
| inches = 11
| occupation = Teacher
| occupation = Company director
| county = Galway
| county = Galway
| province = Connacht
| province = Connacht
| club = [[Castlegar GAA|Castlegar]]
| club =
| clposition =
| clposition =
| clubs = Castlegar
| clubs = [[Castlegar GAA|Castlegar]]
| clyears = 1970s-1990s
| clyears =
| clapps(points) =
| clapps(points) =
| clcounty = 2
| clcounty = 2
| clprovince= 2
| clprovince= 2
| clallireland = 1
| clallireland = 1
| counties = [[Galway GAA|Galway]]
| counties = [[Galway county hurling team|Galway]]
| icposition = Centre-forward
| icposition = Centre-forward
| icyears = 1976-1983
| icyears = 1976–1984
| icapps(points) =
| icapps(points) = 22 (12–52)
| icprovince =
| icprovince =
| icallireland = 1
| icallireland = 1
Line 28: Line 32:
| allstars = 1
| allstars = 1
| clupdate =
| clupdate =
| icupdate =
| icupdate = 23:31, 18 February 2014
| birth_date={{Birth date and age|1956|10|13|df=yes}}
| birth_date={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1956|10|13}}
| birth_place=[[Castlegar, County Galway|Castlegar]], [[County Galway]]
| birth_place=[[Castlegar, County Galway|Castlegar]], County Galway, Ireland
}}
}}
'''Joe Connolly''' (born 13 October 1956) is an Irish former [[Hurling|hurler]] who played as a centre-forward at senior level for the [[Galway county hurling team|Galway county team]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurlingstats.ie/person/id/4284 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140219003744/http://www.hurlingstats.ie/person/id/4284 |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 February 2014 |title=Joe Connolly |publisher=Hurling Stats website |access-date=17 February 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/the-men-who-changed-the-face-of-galway-hurling-25965010.html|title=The men who changed the face of Galway hurling|publisher=Irish Independent|date=7 September 2005|access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Galway/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=88768|title=Joe Connolly: Captain of the mould breaking Galway squad of 1980|publisher=Hogan Stand website|date=27 August 1993|access-date=17 February 2014}}</ref>
'''Joe Connolly''' (born 13 October 1956 in [[Castlegar, County Galway|Castlegar]], [[County Galway]]) is an [[Irish people|Irish]] former sportsperson. He played [[hurling]] with his local club [[Castlegar GAA|Castlegar]] and was a member of the [[Galway GAA|Galway]] senior inter-county team from 1976 until 1984. Connolly captained Galway to the [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]] title in 1980.


Born in [[Castlegar, County Galway|Castlegar]], County Galway, Connolly first played competitive hurling whilst at school in [[St Mary's College, Galway]]. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he first linked up with the Galway minor team, before later joining the under-21 side. He made his senior debut in the [[1976 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1976 championship]]. Connolly went on to play a key role for Galway for almost a decade, and won one [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]] medal. An All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions, Connolly captained Galway to the All-Ireland title in 1980.
==Biography==


As a member of the [[Connacht GAA|Connacht]] inter-provincial team at various times, Connolly won two [[Railway Cup]] medals. At club level he is a one-time [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]] medallist with [[Castlegar GAA|Castlegar]]. In addition to this he also won two [[Connacht Senior Club Hurling Championship|Connacht]] medals and two [[Galway Senior Hurling Championship|championship]] medals.
Joe Connolly was born in [[Castlegar, County Galway|Castlegar]], [[County Galway]] in 1956. He was educated locally at Briarhill [[National school (Ireland)|national school]] and later attended [[St Mary's College, Galway|St. Mary’s College]] in [[Galway]]. Here Connolly's hurling skills were first developed, however, he faced the disappointment of losing three consecutive Connacht colleges' finals. He later attended [[University College Galway]] (UCG) where he became a star on the university's hurling team. Connolly won a [[Fitzgibbon Cup]] winners' medal with UCG in 1977 following the defeat of [[NUI Maynooth|Maynooth]].<ref>{{cite book| first=Brendan| last=Fullam| title=Captains of the Ash| publisher=Wolfhound Press| year=2002| id= | page=50}}</ref>

With [[NUI Galway GAA|University College Galway]], Connolly won one [[Fitzgibbon Cup]] medal.

Throughout his career Connolly made 22 championship appearances for Galway. His retirement came following the conclusion of the [[1984 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1984 championship]].

As the third eldest of the Connolly dynasty, many of his brothers, [[John Connolly (hurler)|John]], Pádraic, [[Michael Connolly (hurler)|Michael]], Tom, Gerry and Murt, played with distinction for Castlegar and Galway. His son, [[Barry Connolly (hurler)|Barry Connolly]], has lined out for the [[Dublin GAA|Dublin]] senior team.

In retirement from playing, Connolly became involved in team management and coaching. He has served as a selector with the Galway senior team, while at club level he also served as manager of the Castlegar senior team.


==Playing career==
==Playing career==
===University===
During his tenure at [[University College Galway]], Connolly was a key member of the university's senior hurling team. In 1977 he lined out at full-forward as UCG reached the final of the inter-varsities championship. A 1–14 to 1–12 defeat of [[St Patrick's College, Maynooth]] gave him a [[Fitzgibbon Cup]] medal.

He earned his B.A. from the university in 1978.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hurling|work=Cois Coiribe|date=Autumn 2017|page=39}}</ref>

===Club===
===Club===
Connolly joined the Castlegar senior hurling panel in 1974, however, the team were beaten in their quest for three championships in-a-row.


Connolly played his club hurling with his local club in [[Castlegar GAA|Castlegar]] and enjoyed much success. He first tasted victory with his club in 1979 when he captured a [[Galway Senior Hurling Championship|senior county championship]] winners' medal following a 2-13 to 0-6 trouncing of [[Kinvara GAA|Kinvara]]. Castlegar later represented Galway in the provincial club championship and duly defeated [[Tremane GAA|Tremane]] of Roscommon to take the [[Connacht Senior Club Hurling Championship|Connacht]] club title.<ref>{{cite book| first=Donegan| last=Des| title=The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games| publisher=DBA Publications| year=2005| id= | page=99}}</ref> Castlegar subsequently qualified for the All-Ireland club final with [[Ballycastle GAA|Ballycastle]] of Antrim providing the opposition. Connolly and his five brothers line dout against the six Donnelly brotehrs of Ballycastle. A first-half goal for the Ulster champions failed to ignite the team. Five minute safter the restart [[Liam Mulryan]] turned Connolly's pass straight into the net for a decisive goal. Ballycastle cut the lead back to a point, however, [[Gerry Connolly (hurler)|Gerry Connolly]] scored another point before Joe sent a penalty over the bar. At the full-time whistle Castlegar were the champions by 1-11 o 1-8. It was a first ever [[All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]] club title for Galway.<ref>{{cite book| first=Eoghan| last=Corry| title=The GAA Book of Lists| publisher=Hodder Headline Ireland| year=2005| id= | page=429}}</ref>
In 1979 Connolly was a key member of the team as Castlegar reached the championship final. First-time finalists [[Kinvara GAA|Kinvara]] faced an uphill battle against roll of honour leaders Castlegar. A 2–13 to 0–6 victory gave Connolly his first [[Galway Senior Hurling Championship|championship]] medal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.galwayhurling.com/news/115094/ou_t_up_tu_l_t_llm_t|title= County Cup Feature 1979: the final installment|publisher=Galway Hurling website|access-date=18 February 2014}}</ref> Old rivals Tremane provided the opposition in the subsequent provincial decider, however, a 4–12 to 0–5 victory gave Connolly a third Connacht medal. Castlegar later became the first team from Connacht to qualify for the All-Ireland decider. [[Antrim Senior Hurling Championship|Antrim]] and [[Ulster Senior Club Hurling Championship|Ulster]] champions [[Ballycastle McQuillan GAC|Ballycastle]] provided the opposition, as Connolly and his four brothers faced six Donnelly brothers on the opposing team. [[Olcan McLaverty]] scored a goal in the first half, however, this failed to ignite the Ballycastle attack. Five minutes into the second half [[Liam Mulryan]] turned a Connolly pass into the net to take the lead. Ballycastle cut this led to just a point, however, two points from brothers Gerry and Joe Connolly set up a 1–11 to 1–8 victory and an [[All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship]] medal for Connolly.


After losing back-to-back championship decider in 1982 and 1983, Castlegar were under pressure to deliver in 1984. A 3–10 to 0–11 victory over [[Killimordaly GAA|Killimordaly]] gave Connolly his second championship medal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/galway/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=120389|title=Castlegar '84 team to be honoured|publisher=Hogan Stand website|date=13 November 2009|access-date=18 February 2014}}</ref> [[Tooreen Hurling Club|Tooreen]] fell by 2–15 to 2–7 in the subsequent provincial final, giving Connolly a fourth Connacht medal. Castlegar later faced [[St Martin's GAA (County Kilkenny)|St. Martin's]] of Kilkenny in the All-Ireland decider. Tom Moran scored two goals which seemed to put St. Martin's in the driving seat, however, a goal by Kilkenny man Martin O'Shea for Castlegar secured a draw. The replay saw Tom Moran take centre stage once again, as St. Martin's secured a 1–13 to 1–10 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/sport/gaelic-games/martin-s-they-won-a-title-that-will-stand-alone-forever-1-5675936|title=Martin's: they won a title that will stand alone forever|publisher=Kilkenny People|date=15 November 2013|access-date=18 February 2014|archive-date=21 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221200143/http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/sport/gaelic-games/martin-s-they-won-a-title-that-will-stand-alone-forever-1-5675936|url-status=dead}}</ref>
After losing back-to-back county finals in 1982 an 1983 Castlegar bounced back in 1984 and avoided being three-in-a-row losers. A 3-10 to 0-11 defeat of [[Killimordaly GAA|Killimordaly]] gave Connolly a second county title. Castlegar later defeated [[Tooreen GAA|Tooreen]] of Mayo by 2-14 to 2-7, giving Connolly a second Connacht club winners' medal.<ref>''The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games'' p. 100</ref> Connolly's side later qualified for a second All-Ireland club final. [[St. Martin's GAA|St. Martin's]] of Kilkenny provided the opposition on this occasion. An exciting contest ensued, however, a later goal for Castlegar forced a 2-9 to 3-6 draw and a reply. The second outing saw Connolly coming on as a substitute, however, victory went to the Kilkenny men.<ref>''The GAA Book of Lists'' p. 431</ref>


===Inter-county===
===Inter-county===
Connolly first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with the Galway minor and under-21 teams but enjoyed little success in these grades. He made his senior championship debut on 18 July 1976 in a 3–12 to 3–9 All-Ireland quarter-final defeat of [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]].


After three years of penultimate stage defeats, Galway shocked four-in-a-row hopefuls [[Cork GAA|Cork]] in the All-Ireland semi-final and qualified for an All-Ireland final showdown with [[Kilkenny GAA|Kilkenny]] in 1979.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2013/0425/385551-waiting-in-the-long-grass/|title=Waiting in the long grass|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=26 April 2013|access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref> Galway went two points up twelve minutes into the second half but failed to score for the rest of the game and lost 2–12 to 1–8.
Connolly first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the [[Galway GAA|Galway]] senior team in the 1975-1976 [[National Hurling League]]. He became a key member of the team in time for the subsequent championship campaign, however, [[Wexford GAA|Wexford]] defeated Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.


In 1980, Connolly was appointed captain as Galway defeated [[Kildare GAA|Kildare]] and [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]] to reach the final against Munster champions [[Limerick GAA|Limerick]]. The men from the west led by 2–7 to 1–5 at half-time. In all, [[Éamonn Cregan]] of Limerick scored 2–7 but Galway won 2–15 to 3–9.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://places.galwaylibrary.ie/history/chapter175.html|title=Diary of a weekend that will forever live in the memory|publisher=Galway Library website|date=12 September 1980|access-date=25 January 2014|archive-date=3 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703001535/http://places.galwaylibrary.ie/history/chapter175.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was the county's first All-Ireland title since 1923.<ref>[https://www.gaa.ie/search/crawl/news/legends-joe-connolly 'Legends: Joe Connolly']. GAA official website, 4 September 2012, retrieved 28 June 2023</ref> Due to the crowd celebrations on the pitch, it took Connolly ten minutes to reach the rostrum in the Hogan Stand to collect the [[Liam MacCarthy Cup]]; however, once there he delivered, in his native Irish, one of the most famous acceptance speeches of all-time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joe.ie/gaa/gaa-features/puc-fado-joe-connollys-memorable-speech-in-the-1980-all-ireland-final/|title=Puc Fado: Joe Connolly’s memorable speech in the 1980 All-Ireland Final|publisher=Joe.ie website|date=May 2013|access-date=17 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/2906101541-joe-connolly/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140219003752/http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/2906101541-joe-connolly/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 February 2014 |title=Joe Connolly: A Speech to Remember |publisher=GAA website |date=30 June 2010 |access-date=17 February 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/hurling/2020/0510/1137561-joe-connollys-iconic-1980-all-ireland-winning-speech/|title=Joe Connolly's iconic 1980 All-Ireland winning speech|work=[[RTÉ Sport]]|date=10 May 2020}}</ref>
Connolly enjoyed little success in his first few seasons with Galway, however, in 1979 he lined out in the National League final. [[Tipperary GAA|Tipperary]] trounced Galway on that ocacsion by 3-15 to 0-8, however, it was a sign that Galway had intent.<ref>''The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games'' p. 100</ref> In the subsequent championship Connolly's side shocked four-in-a-row hopefuls [[Cork GAA|Cork]] in the All-Ireland semi-final and qualified for an All-Ireland final showdown with [[Kilkenny GAA|Kilkenny]]. In one of the worst All-Ireland finals of recent decades Galway goalkeeper [[Séamus Shinnors]] had an absolute nightmare of a game. A 70-yards free by [[Liam O'Brien (hurler)|Liam 'Chunky' O’Brien]] after just four minutes dipped, hit off Shinnors and ended up in the Galway net. Galway fought back and went two points up twelve minutes into the second half, however, they failed to score for the rest of the game. Four minutes before the end of the game another long-range free for Kilkenny ended up in the net behind Shinnors. It was a score which summed up the day for Connolly's side as Kilkenny went on to win by 2-12 to 1-8.<ref>''The GAA Book of Lists'' p. 360</ref>


<blockquote>''"People of Galway, after fifty-seven years the All-Ireland title is back in Galway...It's wonderful to be from Galway on a day like today. There are people back in Galway with wonder in their hearts, but also we must remember (Galway) people in England, in America, and round the world and maybe they are crying at this moment…People of Galway, we love you!"''</blockquote>
In 1980 Connolly was appointed capatin of the team as Galway defeated [[Kildare GAA|Kildare]] and [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]] to reach a second All-Ireland final. Munster champions [[Limerick GAA|Limerick]] provided the opposition on this occasion and an exciting championship decider followed. [[Bernie Forde]] and [[P.J. Molloy]] goals for Galway meant that the men from the west led by 2-7 to 1-5 at half-time. [[Éamonn Cregan]] single-handedly launched the Limerick counter-attack in the second-half. Over the course of the game he scored 2-7, including an overhead goal and a point in which he showed the ball to [[Conor Hayes]] and nonchalantly drove the ball over the bar. It was not enough to stem the tide and Galway went on to win the game.<ref>''The GAA Book of Lists'' p. 360</ref> It was the county’s first All-Ireland title since 1923 and the celebrations surpassed anything ever seen in [[Croke Park]]. It took Connolly ten minutes to reach the rostrum in the Hogan Stand to collect the [[Liam McCarthy Cup]], however, once there he delivered one of the most famous acceptance speeches of all-time. Delivered through his native [[Irish language|Irish]], Connolly was clearly overcome with emotion. The following is an excert in English of that famous speech:


The final phrase is an echo of [[Pope John Paul II]]'s address to the young people of Ireland the previous year. The celebrations did not just end with Connolly's speech as [[Joe McDonagh]] seized the microphone and lead the crowd in a version of the West's Awake. Connolly rounded of the year by collecting an [[GAA All Stars Awards|All-Star]] award, as well as being named as the [[Texaco Hurler of the Year]].
<blockquote>''"People of Galway, after fifty-seven years the All-Ireland title is back in Galway...It’s wonderful to be from Galway on a day like today. There are people back in Galway with wonder in their hearts, but also we must remember (Galway) people in England, in America, and round the world and maybe they are crying at this moment…People of Galway, we love you!"''</blockquote>


1981 saw Galway reach a third consecutive All-Ireland final. First-time finalists Offaly were the opponents. With twenty-three minutes left Galway led by six points but failed to score again to lose 2–12 to 0–15.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sixmilebridgegaa.com/Media%20Section/showfullstory.asp?id=11&category=gaaarticles |title=Offaly's glorious first |publisher=Sixmilebridge GAA website |date=13 September 1981 |access-date=25 January 2014 |first=Con |last=Houlihan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924102218/http://www.sixmilebridgegaa.com/Media%20Section/showfullstory.asp?id=11&category=gaaarticles |archive-date=24 September 2015 }}</ref>
The final phrase is an echo of [[Pope John Paul II]]’s address to the young people of Ireland the previous year. The celebrations didn’t just end with Connolly’s speech as [[Joe McDonagh]] seized the microphone and lead the crown in a version of the West’s Awake. Connolly rounded of the year by collecting a coveted [[GAA All Stars Awards|All-Star]] award, as well as being named as the [[Texaco Hurler of the Year]].

1981 saw Galway reach a third consecutive All-Ireland final and [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]] were the opponents. Everything seemed to be going well for Connolly's side as Galway hoped to capture an unprecedented second consecutive All-Ireland title. Offalt 'keeper [[Damien Martin]] was doing great work in batting out a certain Galway goal early in the second-half. With twenty-three minutes left in the game Galway led by six points, however, they failed to score for the rest of the game. [[Johnny Flaherty]] hand-passed Offaly's second goal with just three minutes remaining. At the long whistle Galway were defeated by 2-12 to 0-15.<ref>''The GAA Book of Lists'' p. 360</ref>


The following few years proved difficult as Galway were knocked out of the championship at the All-Ireland semi-final stages in 1982 and 1983. Connolly retired from inter-county hurling following a serious knee injury in 1984.
The following few years proved difficult as Galway were knocked out of the championship at the All-Ireland semi-final stages in 1982 and 1983. Connolly retired from inter-county hurling following a serious knee injury in 1984.


===Inter-provincial===
===Inter-provincial===
Connolly also lined out with [[Connacht GAA|Connacht]] in the inter-provincial series of games and enjoyed much success.


Connolly also lined out with [[Connacht GAA|Connacht]] in the inter-provincial hurling championship and enjoyed some success. In 1980 Connolly was captain of his province as Connacht qualified for the final. [[Munster GAA|Munster]] provided the opposition on that occasion and, after a poor game, Connacht emerged as the winners by 1-5 to 0-7.<ref>''The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games'' p. 82</ref> It was Connolly's first [[Railway Cup]] winners' medal. Two years later in 1982 Connacht were back in the final with [[Leinster GAA|Leinster]] lining out against Connoll's province. This game was a much more exciting affair with victory going to Connacht by 3-8 to 2-9. It was Connolly's second Railway Cup title.<ref>''The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games'' p. 82</ref>
In 1979 Connolly was at centre-forward as Connacht reached the inter-provincial decider. A 1–13 to 1–9 defeat by [[Leinster GAA|Leinster]] was the result on that occasion. Connolly retained the same position on the team and was appointed captain in 1980 as Connacht faced [[Railway Cup]] specialists [[Munster GAA|Munster]] in the decider. A low-scoring game followed, however, a 1–5 to 0–7 victory gave Connacht their first Railway Cup title since 1947. It was Connolly's first winners' medal in the inter-pro competition.


Connacht reached the Railway Cup final again in 1982. A 3–8 to 2–9 victory over Leinster gave Connolly his second Railway Cup medal.
==Honours==
===Castlegar===
*'''[[All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship]]''':
**'''Winner (1):''' 1980
**Runner-up (1): 1985
*'''[[Connacht Senior Club Hurling Championship]]''':
**'''Winner (2):''' 1979, 1984
*'''[[Galway Senior Hurling Championship]]''':
**'''Winner (2):''' 1979, 1984
**Runner-up (1): 1974, 1982, 1983


==Managerial career==
===Galway===
===Galway===
In 2008 Connolly became a selector with the Galway senior hurling team, under the management of [[John McIntyre (hurler)|John McIntyre]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/4786|title=McIntyre nets hurling post|publisher=Galway Advertiser|date=20 November 2008|access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref> The highlight of his three years as a selector was a 2–22 to 1–17 defeat of Cork in 2010 to take the National League title.
*'''[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]]''':
**'''Winner (1):''' [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1980|1980]] (C)
**Runner-up (2): 1979, 1981
*'''[[National Hurling League]]''':
**'''Winner (0):'''
**Runner-up (1): 1979


===Connacht===
===Castlegar===
Connolly has also served as manager of the Castlegar senior hurling team.
*'''[[Railway Cup]]''':
**'''Winner (2):''' 1980 (C), 1982
**Runner-up (1): 1979


==References==
==Broadcasting==
Connolly has served as a non-executive director of Irish-language channel [[TG4]] for a number of years. He has also worked as an analyst on ''[[Seó Spóirt]]'' and has co-hosted reality show ''[[Jockey Eile]]'' with [[Seán Bán Breathnach]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goracing.ie/HRI/Resource-Centre/News-Items/Jockey-Eile----%E2%80%9CDushlan-na-Marcach%E2%80%9D/|title=Jockey Eile – "Dushlan na Marcach"|publisher=Go Racing|date=4 October 2012|access-date=19 February 2014}}</ref>
{{reflist}}

==Personal life==
Born in [[Castlegar, County Galway|Castlegar]] on the outskirts of [[Galway (city)|Galway]], Connolly was educated at Briarhill national school and later attended [[St Mary's College, Galway|St Mary's College]]. After completing his [[Leaving Certificate]] in 1974, he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Irish and Geography at University College Galway, before later qualifying as a secondary school teacher in 1979. In spite of this he later worked as a sales director with Connolly Sports, a sportswear manufacturing company.

==Honours==
===Player===
;University College Galway
*[[Fitzgibbon Cup]] (1): 1976–77

;Castlegar
*[[All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship]] (1): 1980
*[[Connacht Senior Club Hurling Championship]] (2): 1979, 1984
*[[Galway Senior Club Hurling Championship]] (2): 1979, 1984

;Galway
*[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]] (1): [[1980 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1980]]

;Connacht
*[[Railway Cup]] (2): 1980 (c), 1982

===Individual===
;Awards
*[[Texaco Hurler of the Year]] (1): 1980
*[[GAA All Stars Awards|All-Star]] (1): 1980


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0y35GrYKqg Joe Connolly's famous 1980 speech]
*{{YouTube|u0y35GrYKqg|Joe Connolly's famous 1980 speech}}

==References==
{{reflist}}


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{{succession box
{{succession box
| before=[[Ger Henderson]]<br>([[Kilkenny GAA|Kilkenny]])
| before=[[Ger Henderson]]<br>([[Kilkenny county hurling team|Kilkenny]])
| title=[[Texaco Hurler of the Year]]
| title=[[Texaco Hurler of the Year]]
| years=1980
| years=1980
| after=[[Pat Delaney (Offaly hurler)|Pat Delaney]]<br>([[Offaly GAA|Offaly]])}}
| after=[[Pat Delaney (Offaly hurler)|Pat Delaney]]<br>([[Offaly county hurling team|Offaly]])}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}

{{Castlegar Hurling Team 1980}}
{{Castlegar Hurling Team 1980}}
{{Castlegar Hurling Team 1985}}
{{Galway Hurling Team 1979}}
{{Galway Hurling Team 1979}}
{{Galway Hurling Team 1980}}
{{Galway Hurling Team 1980}}
Line 130: Line 163:
{{1980 Hurling All Stars}}
{{1980 Hurling All Stars}}
{{Texaco Hurler of the Year}}
{{Texaco Hurler of the Year}}

{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Connolly, Joe
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Irish hurler
| DATE OF BIRTH = 13 October 1956
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Castlegar, County Galway|Castlegar]]
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Connolly, Joe}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Connolly, Joe}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Alumni of University College Galway]]
[[Category:All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winners]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Galway]]
[[Category:Castlegar hurlers]]
[[Category:Castlegar hurlers]]
[[Category:Galway hurlers]]
[[Category:Gaelic games commentators]]
[[Category:Connacht hurlers]]
[[Category:Galway inter-county hurlers]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from County Galway]]
[[Category:Connacht inter-provincial hurlers]]
[[Category:Winners of one All-Ireland medal (hurling)]]
[[Category:Hurling forwards]]
[[Category:Hurling managers]]
[[Category:Hurling selectors]]
[[Category:University of Galway hurlers]]
[[Category:TG4 people]]
[[Category:20th-century Irish sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 23:29, 4 December 2024

Joe Connolly
Personal information
Irish name Seosamh Ó Conghaile
Sport Hurling
Position Centre-forward
Born (1956-10-13) 13 October 1956 (age 68)
Castlegar, County Galway, Ireland
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Occupation Company director
Club(s)
Years Club
 Castlegar
Club titles
Galway titles 2
Connacht titles 2
All-Ireland Titles 1
Inter-county(ies)*
Years County Apps (scores)
1976–1984
 Galway 22 (12–52)
Inter-county titles
All-Irelands 1
NHL 0
All Stars 1
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 23:31, 18 February 2014.

Joe Connolly (born 13 October 1956) is an Irish former hurler who played as a centre-forward at senior level for the Galway county team.[1][2][3]

Born in Castlegar, County Galway, Connolly first played competitive hurling whilst at school in St Mary's College, Galway. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he first linked up with the Galway minor team, before later joining the under-21 side. He made his senior debut in the 1976 championship. Connolly went on to play a key role for Galway for almost a decade, and won one All-Ireland medal. An All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions, Connolly captained Galway to the All-Ireland title in 1980.

As a member of the Connacht inter-provincial team at various times, Connolly won two Railway Cup medals. At club level he is a one-time All-Ireland medallist with Castlegar. In addition to this he also won two Connacht medals and two championship medals.

With University College Galway, Connolly won one Fitzgibbon Cup medal.

Throughout his career Connolly made 22 championship appearances for Galway. His retirement came following the conclusion of the 1984 championship.

As the third eldest of the Connolly dynasty, many of his brothers, John, Pádraic, Michael, Tom, Gerry and Murt, played with distinction for Castlegar and Galway. His son, Barry Connolly, has lined out for the Dublin senior team.

In retirement from playing, Connolly became involved in team management and coaching. He has served as a selector with the Galway senior team, while at club level he also served as manager of the Castlegar senior team.

Playing career

[edit]

University

[edit]

During his tenure at University College Galway, Connolly was a key member of the university's senior hurling team. In 1977 he lined out at full-forward as UCG reached the final of the inter-varsities championship. A 1–14 to 1–12 defeat of St Patrick's College, Maynooth gave him a Fitzgibbon Cup medal.

He earned his B.A. from the university in 1978.[4]

Club

[edit]

Connolly joined the Castlegar senior hurling panel in 1974, however, the team were beaten in their quest for three championships in-a-row.

In 1979 Connolly was a key member of the team as Castlegar reached the championship final. First-time finalists Kinvara faced an uphill battle against roll of honour leaders Castlegar. A 2–13 to 0–6 victory gave Connolly his first championship medal.[5] Old rivals Tremane provided the opposition in the subsequent provincial decider, however, a 4–12 to 0–5 victory gave Connolly a third Connacht medal. Castlegar later became the first team from Connacht to qualify for the All-Ireland decider. Antrim and Ulster champions Ballycastle provided the opposition, as Connolly and his four brothers faced six Donnelly brothers on the opposing team. Olcan McLaverty scored a goal in the first half, however, this failed to ignite the Ballycastle attack. Five minutes into the second half Liam Mulryan turned a Connolly pass into the net to take the lead. Ballycastle cut this led to just a point, however, two points from brothers Gerry and Joe Connolly set up a 1–11 to 1–8 victory and an All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship medal for Connolly.

After losing back-to-back championship decider in 1982 and 1983, Castlegar were under pressure to deliver in 1984. A 3–10 to 0–11 victory over Killimordaly gave Connolly his second championship medal.[6] Tooreen fell by 2–15 to 2–7 in the subsequent provincial final, giving Connolly a fourth Connacht medal. Castlegar later faced St. Martin's of Kilkenny in the All-Ireland decider. Tom Moran scored two goals which seemed to put St. Martin's in the driving seat, however, a goal by Kilkenny man Martin O'Shea for Castlegar secured a draw. The replay saw Tom Moran take centre stage once again, as St. Martin's secured a 1–13 to 1–10 victory.[7]

Inter-county

[edit]

Connolly first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with the Galway minor and under-21 teams but enjoyed little success in these grades. He made his senior championship debut on 18 July 1976 in a 3–12 to 3–9 All-Ireland quarter-final defeat of Kerry.

After three years of penultimate stage defeats, Galway shocked four-in-a-row hopefuls Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final and qualified for an All-Ireland final showdown with Kilkenny in 1979.[8] Galway went two points up twelve minutes into the second half but failed to score for the rest of the game and lost 2–12 to 1–8.

In 1980, Connolly was appointed captain as Galway defeated Kildare and Offaly to reach the final against Munster champions Limerick. The men from the west led by 2–7 to 1–5 at half-time. In all, Éamonn Cregan of Limerick scored 2–7 but Galway won 2–15 to 3–9.[9] It was the county's first All-Ireland title since 1923.[10] Due to the crowd celebrations on the pitch, it took Connolly ten minutes to reach the rostrum in the Hogan Stand to collect the Liam MacCarthy Cup; however, once there he delivered, in his native Irish, one of the most famous acceptance speeches of all-time.[11][12][13]

"People of Galway, after fifty-seven years the All-Ireland title is back in Galway...It's wonderful to be from Galway on a day like today. There are people back in Galway with wonder in their hearts, but also we must remember (Galway) people in England, in America, and round the world and maybe they are crying at this moment…People of Galway, we love you!"

The final phrase is an echo of Pope John Paul II's address to the young people of Ireland the previous year. The celebrations did not just end with Connolly's speech as Joe McDonagh seized the microphone and lead the crowd in a version of the West's Awake. Connolly rounded of the year by collecting an All-Star award, as well as being named as the Texaco Hurler of the Year.

1981 saw Galway reach a third consecutive All-Ireland final. First-time finalists Offaly were the opponents. With twenty-three minutes left Galway led by six points but failed to score again to lose 2–12 to 0–15.[14]

The following few years proved difficult as Galway were knocked out of the championship at the All-Ireland semi-final stages in 1982 and 1983. Connolly retired from inter-county hurling following a serious knee injury in 1984.

Inter-provincial

[edit]

Connolly also lined out with Connacht in the inter-provincial series of games and enjoyed much success.

In 1979 Connolly was at centre-forward as Connacht reached the inter-provincial decider. A 1–13 to 1–9 defeat by Leinster was the result on that occasion. Connolly retained the same position on the team and was appointed captain in 1980 as Connacht faced Railway Cup specialists Munster in the decider. A low-scoring game followed, however, a 1–5 to 0–7 victory gave Connacht their first Railway Cup title since 1947. It was Connolly's first winners' medal in the inter-pro competition.

Connacht reached the Railway Cup final again in 1982. A 3–8 to 2–9 victory over Leinster gave Connolly his second Railway Cup medal.

Managerial career

[edit]

Galway

[edit]

In 2008 Connolly became a selector with the Galway senior hurling team, under the management of John McIntyre.[15] The highlight of his three years as a selector was a 2–22 to 1–17 defeat of Cork in 2010 to take the National League title.

Castlegar

[edit]

Connolly has also served as manager of the Castlegar senior hurling team.

Broadcasting

[edit]

Connolly has served as a non-executive director of Irish-language channel TG4 for a number of years. He has also worked as an analyst on Seó Spóirt and has co-hosted reality show Jockey Eile with Seán Bán Breathnach.[16]

Personal life

[edit]

Born in Castlegar on the outskirts of Galway, Connolly was educated at Briarhill national school and later attended St Mary's College. After completing his Leaving Certificate in 1974, he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Irish and Geography at University College Galway, before later qualifying as a secondary school teacher in 1979. In spite of this he later worked as a sales director with Connolly Sports, a sportswear manufacturing company.

Honours

[edit]

Player

[edit]
University College Galway
Castlegar
Galway
Connacht

Individual

[edit]
Awards
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Joe Connolly". Hurling Stats website. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  2. ^ "The men who changed the face of Galway hurling". Irish Independent. 7 September 2005. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  3. ^ "Joe Connolly: Captain of the mould breaking Galway squad of 1980". Hogan Stand website. 27 August 1993. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  4. ^ "Hurling". Cois Coiribe. Autumn 2017. p. 39.
  5. ^ "County Cup Feature 1979: the final installment". Galway Hurling website. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  6. ^ "Castlegar '84 team to be honoured". Hogan Stand website. 13 November 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  7. ^ "Martin's: they won a title that will stand alone forever". Kilkenny People. 15 November 2013. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  8. ^ "Waiting in the long grass". RTÉ Sport. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  9. ^ "Diary of a weekend that will forever live in the memory". Galway Library website. 12 September 1980. Archived from the original on 3 July 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  10. ^ 'Legends: Joe Connolly'. GAA official website, 4 September 2012, retrieved 28 June 2023
  11. ^ "Puc Fado: Joe Connolly's memorable speech in the 1980 All-Ireland Final". Joe.ie website. May 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  12. ^ "Joe Connolly: A Speech to Remember". GAA website. 30 June 2010. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  13. ^ "Joe Connolly's iconic 1980 All-Ireland winning speech". RTÉ Sport. 10 May 2020.
  14. ^ Houlihan, Con (13 September 1981). "Offaly's glorious first". Sixmilebridge GAA website. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  15. ^ "McIntyre nets hurling post". Galway Advertiser. 20 November 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  16. ^ "Jockey Eile – "Dushlan na Marcach"". Go Racing. 4 October 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
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