Pádraic Joyce

Pádraic Joyce (born 1 April 1977 in Tuam, County Galway Ireland) was an inter-county Gaelic footballer for Galway. He played his club football with Killererin. Regarded in GAA circles as one of the best forwards in the game over the past decade, his key abilities include excellent accuracy both from frees and from play. In the latter part of his career, Joyce has illustrated his ability to dictate matches with pinpoint passing and linking defence with attack.

Playing career

County

Pádraic won his first All-Ireland Senior Football title with Galway in 1998. Galway beat Mick O'Dwyer's Kildare in the all-Ireland final in front of 65,886 fans at Croke Park by 1–14 to 1–10. Pádraic was then awarded an all-star in for his performances in 1998. Joyce's next all-Ireland was to come in 2000 when Galway faced Kerry at Croke Park. The game finished at 0–14 a-piece and the game was forced to a replay, thanks to Padraic's late free in the end, his sixth point overall. Kerry won the replay by 0–17 to 1–10 in front of 64,094 at a packed Croke Park. Despite the disappointment of losing in the final, Joyce got some glory by being awarded his second all-star award.

Galway's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship success in 2001 was the most successful year for Joyce. Galway had an impressive 0–17 to 0–08 victory over Leinster's Meath in the final at Croke Park. Joyce scored 0–10 in the final. Overall, he scored 3–45 in the Championship, 16 points clear of his nearest challenger, Ger Heavin. In recognition of his performances for Galway he was awarded the Texaco Footballer of the Year award and an All Star in 2001.

He has won the Connacht Senior Football Championship on six occasions in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2008. In November 2012 Joyce confirmed his retirement from Inter-county football after spending 15 successful years on the panel.^[1]

Club

Joyce plays his club football with Killererin. He won his first Galway Senior Football Championship medal with the club in 1999, defeating An Cheathrú Rua after a replay by four points. The 2001 County Final proved to be his next attempt at winning the Galway championship, but a penalty miss in the 2nd half from his cousin, Nicky Joyce proved to be crucial as they lost the final to Annaghdown by two points in the end. Two more years passed before Killererin returned to the final, in 2003 against Caltra, but a Michael Meehan inspired Caltra team were unstoppable and won by a margin of 15 points. Joyce & Killererin put the disappointment behind them the next year as they secured the title for the 4th time in their history, beating Salthill-Knocknacarra in the final by a goal. Joyce won his third county medal in 2007, defeating surprise finalists Milltown in the final by two points. Killererin defeated Corofin 1–10 to 1–07 in the 2010 county final and in doing so, Joyce won his 4th county medal.

Padraic Joyce's Senior County Final scoring record

• 1999 vs An Cheathrú Rua:
  • 0–02
• 1999 vs An Cheathrú Rua (Replay):
  • 0-05
• 2001 vs Annaghdown:
  • 0–07
• 2003 vs Caltra:
  • 0-02
• 2004 vs Salthill-Knocknacarra:
  • 0–03
• 2007 vs Milltown:
  • 0-06
• 2010 vs Corofin:
  • 0-03

International rules

Joyce was a regular member of Ireland's international rules football squad for many years. Arguably his finest moment in the International Rules Series came during the 2004 edition, when Joyce captained the team to a record 132–82 victory over Australia. Joyce was fanatastic in both tests against their Aussie counterparts and their record victory was much deserved.

Joyce retired from the playing side in 2005 but maintained a role within the team as part of Sean Boylan's set-up, as Connacht selector.

On 6 August 2008, Joyce stepped down from the Irish international rules football management set-up as Connacht selector, citing his commitment to the Galway footballers as his reason to step down.

Joyce also ruled out playing in the series again, having last lined out as captain in Australia three years ago.

"I have notified Sean Boylan I wouldn't be taking part. I just don't have time for it," I haven't time to be looking at games now that Galway are still involved. I just want to give my all to Galway for the last couple of years that is in it."

Career statistics

Championship appearances

References

External links

• Official Galway GAA Website