Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail presents the Hall of Fame award to inductee Galway hurler John Connolly during the announcement of the 2016 Inductees into the GAA Museum Hall of Fame at the GAA Museum Auditorium in Croke Park, Dublin. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
The GAA Museum at Croke Park has announced the induction of four more players into the Hall of Fame for 2016.
Galway hurler John Connolly and Wexford hurler Tony Doran along with Kerry footballer John O’Keeffe and the late Roscommon footballer Dermot Earley were honoured at a special ceremony at the GAA Museum at Croke Park today.
Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Aogán Ó Fearghail, congratulated the players on being named on the prestigious list which acknowledges their massive contribution to the GAA at the highest level over a prolonged period.
Uachtarán Ó Fearghail said: “I am delighted to welcome four legends of our Games as the latest entrants to the Hall of Fame in light of their fantastic contributions to the Games and to the GAA as a whole.
“These men left an enduring legacy having helped define the GAA experience for a generation of our supporters. They remain to this day synonymous with all that is good about our great Games – inspirational warriors and sportsmen who played an important role in preserving and nurturing football and hurling for future generations.
“Dermot Earley, John O’Keeffe, John Connolly and Tony Doran are fully deserving of this distinction and it’s another opportunity for us to pay respect and gratitude.”
Niamh McCoy, GAA Museum Director, added: “The Hall of Fame acknowledges and celebrates the outstanding performances of some of our games most memorable players.”
The quartet are now in an exclusive group of 42 legends of Gaelic Games who make up the Hall of Fame.
In 2015 the GAA Museum welcomed over 137,000 visitors, of which 40% were from overseas and it has been consistently ranked as one of the Top 5 visitor attractions in Dublin on the influential TripAdvisor website. The museum houses a vast collection tracing the birth and growth of Gaelic games and most recently opened a new exhibition Ireland’s Olympians.
John Connolly – Galway, Castlegar
John Connolly enjoyed a 14-year senior inter-county career with the Galway hurling team and achieved All-Ireland success with both club and county. Born in Leitir Móir, John was the eldest of the seven Connolly brothers who played with distinction for Galway and Castlegar. Alongside his brothers Michael and Joe (captain) he was part of the Galway team that triumphed in the 1980 All-Ireland decider when the Tribesmen bridged a 57-year gap to win the county’s first All-Ireland title since 1923.
John arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of 17 when he played with the Galway minor team before later joining the under-21 side. He would go on to play a key role for Galway for more than a decade, winning a coveted All-Ireland medal in 1980, a National League and two All Star Awards in 1971 and 1979. His first All Star in 1971 was also Galway’s first hurling All Star and in 1980 he was named Texaco Hurler of the Year.
With Castlegar, he also achieved All-Ireland success when, along with four of his brothers, he won an All-Ireland senior club championship title in 1980. At club level John won six Galway senior titles and four Connacht championships.
In retirement from playing, John Connolly became involved in team management and coaching. He has served as a coach and selector with the Galway senior team, while at club level he also served as manager of the Castlegar senior team.
1984 (Centenary Year of the GAA) Galway senior hurling champions, Castlegar. At back, from left: Martin O’Shea, Joe Connolly, Ted Murphy, John Connolly, Tom McCormack, Tommy Grogan, John Connor, Gerry Connolly, Tom Murphy (injured). In front, from left: Brian Dolly, Mike Murphy, Padraic Connolly, Michael Connolly, captain; Mike Costello, John Coyne, Micheal Glynn.
