Joe McDonagh

Who is Joe McDonagh?

Joe McDonagh is an Irish retired hurler who played as a right wing-back for the Galway senior team.

Born in Tuam, County Galway, McDonagh first excelled at hurling at school in Coláiste Éinde. He made his first impression on the inter-county scene at the age of nineteen when he joined the Galway under-21 team. He made his senior debut during the 1974 championship. McDonagh went on to play a key role for Galway for the rest of the decade, and won one All-Ireland medal as a non-playing substitute and one National Hurling League medal. McDonagh was an All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions.

As a member of the Connacht inter-provincial team at various times throughout his career, McDonagh won two Railway Cup medals. At club level he played with Ballinderreen.

With University College Galway, McDonagh won a Fitzgibbon Cup medals in 1977.

Throughout his career McDonagh made 15 championship appearances for Galway. His retirement came following the conclusion of the 1990 championship.

In retirement from playing, McDonagh became involved in the administrative affairs if the Gaelic Athletic Association. He was a member and chairperson on several senior committees before serving as President between 1997 and 2000.