Joe Connolly

Who is Joe Connolly?

Joe Connolly is an Irish retired hurler who played as a centre-forward for the Galway senior team.

Born in Castlegar, County Galway, Connolly first excelled at 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.