| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish name | Seosamh Ó Conghaile | ||
| Sport | Hurling | ||
| Position | Centre-forward | ||
| Born |
13 October 1956 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.