Bernie Forde, scorer of 1-5 for Galway, on the attack against Limerick with teammate Frank Burke in support. Photo: Ray Ryan

From the archives: 'The greatest feeling of my life'

Dressing-room reaction from the Galway hurlers after their All-Ireland final win over Limerick in 1980

Published: Thu 16 Jul 2026, 2:54 PM

Last updated: Thu 16 Jul 2026, 2:57 PM

HERALD reporter Francis Farragher spoke to all 15 Galway team members, plus both substitutes who featured, in the victorious dressing-room after their historic All-Ireland final victory over Limerick in Croke Park.

Joe Connolly (captain): "The greatest feeling of my life. I'm awful happy to a be a Galway man. The difference between this team and the other teams was that nothing was new to us. Our early goals made a big difference. Don't forget Michael Conneely's display. Five to six-yar-olds will be inspired as never before. We sank the black today."

Michael Conneely: "The first save I made gave me great confidence. I suppose I can't remember having a better game for Galway. Joe Mckenna was a constant threat."

Michael Conneely is congratulated by jubilant Galway supporters after his outstanding display in goal against Limerick. Photo: Ray Ryan

Conor Hayes: "My last game was the middle of June. We'll be going hard again next year. Bernie Forde's early goal along with Michael Conneely's saves were vital."

Niall McInerney: "I played the match with one purpose in mind and one purpose only - to stop Joe McKenna."

Jimmy Cooney: "A fantastic year for me. We were never as confident as this year. I certainly would have preferred meeting Limerick rather than Kilkenny. Kilkenny could beat us with a bad team. We watched Limerick for the early start. I thought it was Michael Conneely and Bernie Forde who made the difference.

FREE All-Ireland final supplement in this week's Tuam Herald.

Sylvie Linnane: "Absolute dynamite. I was worried at the time of the penalty, but we took them down after that."

Sean Silke: "We never thought about losing all year. We played a positive game all through."

Seamus Coen: "The best day of my life. I always felt we had something in hand. We got the scores at the vital stages."

Michael Connolly: "Our experience was vital but what won it for us was the fact that we had the six strongest forwards fielded by any Galway side."

Steve Mahon: "A great day for me and for Galway hurling."

Frank Burke: "Limerick were probably hoping that Galway would have a bad day. I knew if we could hold them in the first half that we were in with a chance.

PJ Molloy: "This victory made up for the loss of the last two finals. Probably losing in those two matches was the difference between winning and losing today. Bernie Forde was the man of the match. he has what it takes."

Bernie Forde: "It was probably my best ever game for Galway. Before the match I thought we had a 50-50 chance. Galway struck form on the day. Last year's defeat made the big difference. The win will do great for Galway hurling. For the goal I just let fly with the boot and in it went."

John Connolly: "So many Galway teams have had great expectations, but something always seemed to go wrong. That was not going to happen today. I'm finished with hurling both for Galway and Castlegar - but what a way to go out."

Noel Lane: "We had a better team this year. We were hungry for victory all through. We had a feeling al through that this was going to be our year.

John Ryan: "For the point I just looked at the posts and hit and over it went."

Finbarr Gantley: " It must be the greatest day ever for Galway hurling."