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John Connolly was born in Tir an Fhia, Connemara, in 1947. His Family moved to Castlegar shortly thereafter.
- Manager of the Senior Hurling Club - 2009
- Builder, by Trade.
- Eldest, of the Connolly Brothers.
- Other sports - Boxing, in the Old School, Castlegar, where that Club was ran by Chick Gillen for a time. In 1965, John was a Connacht Junior Champion, boxing as a Welterweight. Squash, in the Castlegar Sports Complex and other theatres. Comfortable too, with a Golfing stick.
- One of the Hurlers featured in a Book entitled "Castlegar Hurlers: Joe Connolly, John Connolly, Mick King", with Joe being his younger Brother.
- Minor and Under 21 Hurler with Galway.
- First Senior game - Galway versus County Clare in 1968.
- Connacht Railway Cup Hurling Champion - 1980. Joe Connolly was also on this team.
- Galway All Ireland Champions player - '80.
- All Star Award Winner in 1971 - the only Galway Hurling Winner that year.
- All Star Award Winner in 1979, among the great Iggy Clarke and Frank Burke.
- Texaco, Hurler of the Year in 1980.
- Galways first Hurling All Star.
- John Connolly is a fluent Irish Speaker, with roots in Connemara before his family moved to Racecourse View in Castlegar, not far from the site of the old Hurling Pitch - such as it was.
- A natural Leader, with a strategic Hurling brain. Above average height for the time, adding to his athletic frame.
1969, 1972, 1973, 1979, 1980 All-Ireland Club Championship Victory
You may wish to read some reports;
- http://www.galwayindependent.com/sport/sport/castlegar-roll-back-the-good-times/
- "The Men who changed the Face of Galway Hurling" - "A father-figure to the team, he had won an All-Star award in the first year of the scheme in 1971. The High King of Castlegar brought a truly regal presence, first as a midfielder and later as a full-forward. He had all the natural attributes to make an exceptional hurler but despite his successes he always retained a great modesty."
