Top 20 GAA Moments - Moment 7

An occasional speech delivered at some special event finds its way into one or other of the recesses of lore - Lincoln's at Gettysburg, President John F. Kennedy's at his inauguration ceremony and Martin Luther King's on the elements of freedom standing as monumental examples.

In the inspiring world of sport the words spoken by Joe Connolly as Galway captain in the immediate aftermath of the 1980 All-Ireland Hurling Final rank with the very best.

They encapsulated the realisation of a dream nurtured through six decades, they resonated the emotions of hurling followers throughout the land but in particular those of Joe's native Galway at home and abroad.

The speech was delivered in its entirety through the medium of Irish, spoken with dignity, clarity and passion. It touched all the right chords and had a wholesome sincerity.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Joe
• Connolly
• Galway
• 1980
• hurling
• gaa
• gaelic
• top
• 20
• moments
• rte

[Ulyssesgq]

Beautiful speech ... great memories.

[siltirocker]

not at all, he's Galway chief selector!

[Donz100]

I don't speak Irish however as soon as he speaks the hair stand on the back of my neck may be its just because im a GAA man and know what it means to play in a sport so unique and win with friends and family and people you have went to school with and all for the love of kicking or pucking a ball around a ball round a pitch with no other incentives than winning!!!

[Mamabheag]

"Up an baile s'againne" an Tra Bhain Arno!!!!!!

[OrthodoxSteel]

Of course it doesn't...but in 1981 Protestants and Catholics were killing each other over very little. But this man stood up and ignored that and referred to all the people of Ireland.

[corkery1984]

@OrthodoxSteel

I dont think religion has anything to do with it

[Catalcuddy]

"people of galway we love you" best speach ever

[OrthodoxSteel]

yeah I found out since, one of the lads from Oranmore was having me on.

[OrthodoxSteel]

That lad is dead now, isnt he? Protestant lad too, wasnt he? Fair play to him. I voted for this on the night in question.

[xxcashelxx]

brilliant up galway up cashel

wooooooooooooo

best speach ever

[smacclutch]

class!!