P.J. Molloy
Encyclopedia
P. J. Molloy is an Irish
retired sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Athenry
and was a member of the Galway
senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s. Molloy is regarded as one of Galway’s greatest-ever players.
, County Galway
; he played his club hurling with local club Athenry GAA
and enjoyed much success. He won his first senior county title in 1987. It was the club's first victory in the county championship. Molloy later collected a Connacht
club title. His side were later defeated by Mildleton
in the All-Ireland final. Retiring at 43 years of age from club hurling, Molloy took over the senior team in 1996 and managed the Club to their first All-Ireland Club title in 1997.
minor team in the late 1960s. In 1970 his side reached the All-Ireland final, however, Galway were defeated by Cork on that occasion.
Molloy subsequently joined the county under-21 panel and enjoyed more success. In 1972 Galway reached the All-Ireland final in that grade. Dublin
provided the opposition on that occasion, however, victory went to Galway and Molloy collected a coveted All-Ireland
medal.
By this stage Molloy had already made his debut with the Galway senior team. He first tasted major success in 1975 as Galway captured the National Hurling League
title. It was a sign of things to come for the team. Later that summer Molloy's side trounced Westmeath
and shocked Cork to book their place in the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny
, the reigning champions, provided the opposition on that occasion. Galway got off to a good start and took a 0-9 to 1-3 lead at half-time. Kilkenny, inspired by marvelous displays by Eddie Keher
and Liam 'Chunky' O'Brien
, powered on to win by 2-22 to 2-10.
Galway faced a series of defeats at the penultimate stage of the championship for the next few seasons; however, Molloy captured an All-Star award in 1977. Two years later in 1979 Galway shocked Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final for the second time of the decade. Once again the All-Ireland final saw Galway play Kilkenny. In one of the least exciting finals of the decade Galway continued their losing streak and capitulated to ‘the Cats’ by 2-12 to 1-8.
In 1980 Galway defeated Kildare
and Offaly
to reach a second consecutive All-Ireland final. On that occasion Limerick
provided the opposition. Galway got off to a good start with two goals and led by 2-7 to 1-5 at the interval. Limerick fought back in the second-half; however, Galway secured the victory by 2-15 to 3-9. It was Molloy's first All-Ireland
medal and Galway’s first since 1923. The celebrations at Croke Park
on that occasion surpassed anything that had ever been seen before.
In 1981 both Galway and Limerick met in the All-Ireland semi-final, however, it took a replay to find a winner. Galway emerged to take part in their third All-Ireland final in-a-row. Offaly, a team that Molloy's side defeated on the way to the championship the previous year now provided the opposition. In another close encounter Galway looked set to make history as they took a six point lead after the interval. The team, however, failed to score for the last twenty-three minutes and Offaly took their first All-Ireland title.
The next three seasons saw Galway defeated at the All-Ireland semi-final stage. 1985 saw Galway contest the All-Ireland final once again. Offaly, the defeated finalists of the year before, provided the opposition. The game saw Molloy score a memorable goal, however, Offaly won the game by 2-11 to 1-12.
Galway recahed the All-Ireland final again in 1986. Cork were the opponents on this occasion, however, Galway were the red-hot favourites. In a high-scoring and exciting encounter between these two sides Galway were beaten for the second year-in-a-row.
1987 saw Galway reach their sixth All-Ireland final since 1979, however, they only won on one occasion. Kilkenny were the opponents once again, however, the game was a dour affair. Molloy came on as a substitute as Galway won by 1-12 to 0-9. It was Molloy's second All-Ireland medal and he subsequently retired from inter-county hurling.
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He captured his first Railway Cup title in 1980 as Connacht defeated Munster
. Molloy captured further Railway Cup medals in 1982 and 1983, 1986 and 1987.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
retired sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Athenry
Athenry GAA
St. Mary's, Athenry is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the town of Athenry in County Galway. The club is almost exclusively concerned with hurling.-History:...
and was a member of the Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s. Molloy is regarded as one of Galway’s greatest-ever players.
Club
Molloy was born in Newcastle AthenryAthenry
Athenry is a town in County Galway, Ireland. It lies east of Galway city, and one of the attractions of the town is its medieval castle. The town is also well-known by virtue of the song "The Fields of Athenry".-History:...
, County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
; he played his club hurling with local club Athenry GAA
Athenry GAA
St. Mary's, Athenry is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the town of Athenry in County Galway. The club is almost exclusively concerned with hurling.-History:...
and enjoyed much success. He won his first senior county title in 1987. It was the club's first victory in the county championship. Molloy later collected a Connacht
Connacht Senior Club Hurling Championship
The Connacht Senior Club Hurling Championship was an annual hurling tournament played between the senior hurling clubs in Connacht contested from 1970 until it became defunct after the conclusion of the 2007/08 season due to the predominance of the Galway champions coupled with a lack of meaningful...
club title. His side were later defeated by Mildleton
Midleton GAA
Midleton Hurling and Football Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Midleton in County Cork, Ireland.-History:The concept of a Gaelic Athletic Association was first mooted in 1883 when a sub-committee of the Irish Republican Brotherhood was formed with the ideal of...
in the All-Ireland final. Retiring at 43 years of age from club hurling, Molloy took over the senior team in 1996 and managed the Club to their first All-Ireland Club title in 1997.
Inter-county
Molloy first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with the GalwayGalway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
minor team in the late 1960s. In 1970 his side reached the All-Ireland final, however, Galway were defeated by Cork on that occasion.
Molloy subsequently joined the county under-21 panel and enjoyed more success. In 1972 Galway reached the All-Ireland final in that grade. Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
provided the opposition on that occasion, however, victory went to Galway and Molloy collected a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of hurling played in Ireland...
medal.
By this stage Molloy had already made his debut with the Galway senior team. He first tasted major success in 1975 as Galway captured the National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
title. It was a sign of things to come for the team. Later that summer Molloy's side trounced Westmeath
Westmeath GAA
The Westmeath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Westmeath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Westmeath...
and shocked Cork to book their place in the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
, the reigning champions, provided the opposition on that occasion. Galway got off to a good start and took a 0-9 to 1-3 lead at half-time. Kilkenny, inspired by marvelous displays by Eddie Keher
Eddie Keher
Edward Peter Keher , better known as Eddie Keher, is a retired Irish hurling manager and former player. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game....
and Liam 'Chunky' O'Brien
Liam O'Brien (hurler)
-Teams:...
, powered on to win by 2-22 to 2-10.
Galway faced a series of defeats at the penultimate stage of the championship for the next few seasons; however, Molloy captured an All-Star award in 1977. Two years later in 1979 Galway shocked Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final for the second time of the decade. Once again the All-Ireland final saw Galway play Kilkenny. In one of the least exciting finals of the decade Galway continued their losing streak and capitulated to ‘the Cats’ by 2-12 to 1-8.
In 1980 Galway defeated Kildare
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
and Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
to reach a second consecutive All-Ireland final. On that occasion Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
provided the opposition. Galway got off to a good start with two goals and led by 2-7 to 1-5 at the interval. Limerick fought back in the second-half; however, Galway secured the victory by 2-15 to 3-9. It was Molloy's first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal and Galway’s first since 1923. The celebrations at Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
on that occasion surpassed anything that had ever been seen before.
In 1981 both Galway and Limerick met in the All-Ireland semi-final, however, it took a replay to find a winner. Galway emerged to take part in their third All-Ireland final in-a-row. Offaly, a team that Molloy's side defeated on the way to the championship the previous year now provided the opposition. In another close encounter Galway looked set to make history as they took a six point lead after the interval. The team, however, failed to score for the last twenty-three minutes and Offaly took their first All-Ireland title.
The next three seasons saw Galway defeated at the All-Ireland semi-final stage. 1985 saw Galway contest the All-Ireland final once again. Offaly, the defeated finalists of the year before, provided the opposition. The game saw Molloy score a memorable goal, however, Offaly won the game by 2-11 to 1-12.
Galway recahed the All-Ireland final again in 1986. Cork were the opponents on this occasion, however, Galway were the red-hot favourites. In a high-scoring and exciting encounter between these two sides Galway were beaten for the second year-in-a-row.
1987 saw Galway reach their sixth All-Ireland final since 1979, however, they only won on one occasion. Kilkenny were the opponents once again, however, the game was a dour affair. Molloy came on as a substitute as Galway won by 1-12 to 0-9. It was Molloy's second All-Ireland medal and he subsequently retired from inter-county hurling.
Provincial
Molloy also lined out with ConnachtConnacht GAA
The Connacht Council are a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Connacht.-Constituent counties:*Galway*Leitrim*Mayo*Roscommon*Sligo-Special counties:...
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He captured his first Railway Cup title in 1980 as Connacht defeated Munster
Munster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
. Molloy captured further Railway Cup medals in 1982 and 1983, 1986 and 1987.