Joe Connolly (hurler)

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Joe Connolly (born 1956) is a former Irish sportsman. He played hurling with Galway in the 1970s and 1980s.

Joe Connolly was born in Castlegar, County Galway in 1956. He was, along with his brother John, a key member of the Galway senior hurling team that won the All-Ireland title in 1980. It was Galway's first senior hurling title since 1923. Connolly, however, is best remembered for his speech that day on the steps of the Hogan Stand in Croke Park. Overcome by emotion Connolly, speaking primarily in Irish, spoke of emigrants overseas and off generations of hurlers that had never tasted the glory that he did on that day. He ended his speech with a humorous echo of a speech Pope John Paul II had made in Galway the previous year - "People of Galway we love you". Connolly's speech has gone down as part of Gaelic Athletic Association folklore and was even voted one of RTÉ's Top 20 GAA Moments in 2005. 1980 proved to be an exceptional year for Connolly himself. Not only did he win his only All-Ireland title, but he had earlier won the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship with Castlegar. He also received an All Star Award and was named as Texaco Hurler of the Year.

Preceded by: Ger Fennelly (Kilkenny)	All-Ireland Hurling Final winning captain 1980	Succeeded by: Pádraig Horan (Offaly)
Preceded by: Ger Henderson (Kilkenny)	Texaco Hurler of the Year 1980	Succeeded by: Pat Delaney (Offaly)