THERE was great sadness in Galway GAA circles this week when the news broke on Tuesday evening last that Killererin’s Billy Joyce [75] had passed away at University Hospital Galway after a long battle with illness.

An outstanding midfielder – noted for his clean fetching of kickouts – his Galway inter-county career spanned from 1969 to the 1980s, during which time he played in four All-Ireland senior finals.

As well as his great ‘grá’ for the maroon jersey, he was first and foremost a totally committed clubman to his native Killererin, winning county and Connacht medals with his native parish.

One of the great highlights of his inter-county career was the National Football League final of 1981 [80-81 season] when they beat Roscommon in that Croke Park decider to take the national title – the last time that Galway took this accolade.

He started at midfield in the All-Ireland finals against Offaly [1971], Cork [1973] and Dublin [1984] while he also came on as a substitute in the controversial 1983 decider against the Dubs.

In the great tradition of the Joyce family, Billy showed an unwavering commitment to his own parish whether it be on the field of play, as a mentor or a supporter of his club’s development.

Former Sunday Game presenter and ex-Tuam Herald sports editor, Jim Carney, told the Connacht Tribune that Billy Joyce would always be regarded as ‘the spiritual leader’ of the Killererin club.

“Billy was a true legend of the GAA who also forged great friendships with his opponents on the field of play, most notably the late, great Dermot Earley of Roscommon.

“He had a great belief and confidence in his own ability and even in tough times for Galway football he could always see the optimistic and positive side of things. He will be very sadly missed,” said Jim Carney.

Billy Joyce also managed his native Killererin with great success back the years, winning a county title in 2004, as well as taking the reins of the Galway senior football team, guiding them to a Connacht final success in 1987, before his charges eventually beaten by Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final after a replay.

Caption: The Galway football team of 1974, before their All-Ireland semi-final victory over Donegal at Croke Park. Billy Joyce is second from the left in the front row.

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