P. J. Molloy facts for kids

P. J. Molloy, born on April 30, 1952, is a famous Irish former hurler. He played as a left wing-forward for the Galway county team at the highest level.

Born in Athenry, County Galway, P. J. Molloy started playing hurling when he was young. He first played for the Galway under-21 team. He made his senior debut in the 1971–72 National Hurling League. Molloy was a very important player for Galway for sixteen years. He won two All-Ireland medals and one National Hurling League medal. He also played in five All-Ireland finals where his team finished as runner-up.

During his career, Molloy also played for the Connacht team in inter-provincial games. He won five Railway Cup medals with them. For his club, Athenry, he won one Connacht medal and two county championship medals.

P. J. Molloy scored a total of 11 goals and 114 points for Galway. This was a record for a Galway player for a long time. He played in 35 championship games. He stopped playing hurling after the 1987 championship.

After he retired from playing, Molloy became a coach and manager. He coached his club, Athenry, to win the All-Ireland club title in 1997.

Playing Hurling for Clubs

Athenry Club Success

In 1987, P. J. Molloy's club, Athenry, played against Castlegar in the county championship final. Molloy was a key player throughout the season. Athenry won the match 1–12 to 2–6, and Molloy earned a Galway Senior Hurling Championship medal.

Later that year, Athenry also won the Connacht Senior Club Hurling Championship. They beat Pádraig Pearse's of Roscommon with a score of 4–18 to 0–7. After this, Athenry played in the All-Ireland club final against Midleton. Midleton won the game 3–8 to 0–9, so Molloy's team was defeated.

Athenry reached the county final three more times but lost. Finally, in 1994, they won again. They beat Sarsfields 2–6 to 0–9. Molloy came on as a substitute in that game and won his second county championship medal.

Playing Hurling for Galway

Early County Career

P. J. Molloy first won an inter-county medal in 1972 with the Galway under-21 hurling team. Galway reached the All-Ireland final against Dublin. Molloy came on as a substitute and helped his team win a close game, 2–9 to 1–10. This gave him an All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship medal.

He had already made his senior debut for Galway in the 1971–72 National League. His first senior championship game was in 1974. Galway beat Kildare 3–19 to 4–10 in an All-Ireland quarter-final.

National League Victory

In 1975, Galway had a big moment. They beat Tipperary 4–9 to 4–6, and Molloy won a National Hurling League medal. Galway then reached the All-Ireland final, which was their first in seventeen years. They played against Kilkenny, but Kilkenny won the match 2–22 to 2–10.

Galway lost in the All-Ireland semi-finals for the next three years. However, in 1977, Molloy received his first All-Star award for his excellent play.

All-Ireland Final Appearances

In 1979, Galway surprised everyone by beating Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final. This meant they would play Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. It was a tough game for Galway, and Kilkenny won 2–12 to 1–8.

The next year, in 1980, Galway reached their second All-Ireland final in a row. They played against Limerick. It was an exciting game! Goals from Bernie Forde and Molloy helped Galway lead at half-time. Limerick fought back, but Galway held on to win 2–15 to 3–9. This was Galway's first All-Ireland title since 1923! Molloy earned a winner's medal, and the celebrations were huge.

In 1981, Galway made it to a third All-Ireland final in a row, playing Offaly. Galway was leading by six points with twenty-three minutes left. However, they didn't score again, and Offaly managed to win 2–12 to 0–15.

Galway reached the All-Ireland final again in 1985, once more against Offaly. Offaly's ability to score goals was key, and they won 2–11 to 1–12. Molloy scored a goal for Galway in this game.

In 1986, Galway reached their second All-Ireland final in a row. They were favorites against Cork, but Cork played very well. Cork scored four goals and won 4–13 to 2–15.

Second All-Ireland Win and Retirement

In 1987, Molloy was nearing the end of his playing career. Galway reached their third All-Ireland final in a row, playing Kilkenny. The game was not a classic, but Noel Lane scored a crucial goal for Galway. Molloy started the game on the bench but came on as a substitute. Galway won 1–12 to 0–9, giving Molloy his second All-Ireland medal. This great victory marked the end of his playing days for Galway.

Playing for Connacht Province

Railway Cup Success

P. J. Molloy also played for the Connacht team in the inter-provincial games, called the Railway Cup. He had a lot of success there.

In 1979, Connacht reached the final but lost to Leinster. In 1980, Connacht played Munster in the final. Connacht won a low-scoring game 1–5 to 0–7. This was Connacht's first Railway Cup title since 1947, and Molloy's first medal in this competition.

Connacht reached the Railway Cup final again in 1982. They beat Leinster 3–8 to 2–9, and Molloy won his second medal. In 1983, they beat Leinster again, keeping the title for the first time ever.

After losing to Munster in 1985, Connacht played them again in the 1986 final. Connacht won convincingly 3–11 to 0–11, giving Molloy his fourth Railway Cup medal.

In 1987, Connacht faced Leinster in the final once more. A close 2–14 to 1–14 victory gave Molloy his fifth and final Railway Cup medal.

Managerial Career

Coaching Athenry Club

In 1996, P. J. Molloy became the manager of the Athenry senior hurling team. It was a very successful first year! He led the team to win the county championship, beating Carnmore 2–6 to 1–6.

Athenry then won the Connacht title, defeating Four Roads 1–15 to 1–8. After that, they reached the All-Ireland club final against Wolfe Tones. With nine points from Eugene Cloonan, Athenry won 0–14 to 1–8. This was the club's first ever All-Ireland title.

Athenry did not win their titles again in 1997, and Molloy stepped down as manager. He has also managed camogie teams, including his club and at county level.

Honours and Awards

Team Achievements

Athenry Club

• Connacht Senior Club Hurling Championship (1): 1987
• Galway Senior Club Hurling Championship (2): 1987, 1994

Galway County Team

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (2): 1980, 1987
• National Hurling League (1): 1974–75

Connacht Provincial Team

• Railway Cup (5): 1980, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987

Individual Awards

Awards

• All-Star Award (1): 1977

Managerial Achievements

Athenry Club

• All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship (1): 1997
• Connacht Senior Club Hurling Championship (2): 1996, 1998
• Galway Senior Club Hurling Championship (2): 1996, 1998