P.J. Molloy

Infobox GAA player
code= Hurling
sport = Hurling


name = P.J. Molloy
irish = P.S. Ó Maolmhuaidh
fullname = P.J. Molloy
placeofbirth = Athenry
countryofbirth = County Galway
dob =
dod =
height =
nickname =
county = Galway
province = Connacht
club = Athenry
clposition = Forward
clubs =
clyears =
clapps(points) =
clcounty =
clprovince=
clallireland =
counties = Galway
icposition = Forward
icyears = 1970s-1980s
icapps(points) =
icprovince = 0
icallireland = 1
nhl = 1
allstars = 1
clupdate =
icupdate = P.J. Molloy (born 1952 in Athenry, County Galway) is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Athenry and with the Galway senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s. Molloy is regarded as one of Galway’s greatest-ever players.

Playing career

Club

Molloy played his club hurling with his local Athenry club 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.

Inter-county

Molloy first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with the Galway 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.

Provincial

Molloy also lined out with Connacht 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.

Teams

References

* Corry, Eoghan, "The GAA Book of Lists" (Hodder Headline Ireland, 2005).

External links

* [http://www.hoganstand.com/Galway/Profile.aspx Galway GAA honours]