Joe Connolly

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.

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.

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

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.

He made his senior championship debut on 18 July 1976 in a 3–12 to 3–9 All-Ireland quarter-final defeat of Kerry.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

During his tenure at University College Galway, Connolly was a key member of the university's senior hurling team.