Career
Born in Banagher, County, Connelly first excelled at hurling in his youth. He made his senior debut for during the 1979-1980 National League and subsequently broke onto the starting fifteen. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.
At club level Conneely is a one-time Leinster medallist with Saint Conneelly later played with Saint Gabriel"son
Throughout his career Conneely made 16 championship appearances.
He played his last game for during the 1986-1987 National League. In retirement from playing Conneely became involved in team management and coaching. He has served as manager of the Saint Gabriel"s intermediate hurling team
Club Conneely played his club hurling with Saint and enjoyed much success.
The club made it two-in-a-row in 1982, with Conneely winning a second championship medal. Saint Rymagh"s subsequently reached the provincial decider, with Buffer"s Alley providing the opposition.
A 1-16 to 2-10 victory gave Conneely a coveted Leinster medal. After a controversial semi-final defeat of Kiltormer, Saint reached the All-Ireland decider and faced Loughgiel Shamrocks.
A superb display by Loughgiel goalkeeper Niall Patterson foiled Conneely"s side.
The replay was more conclusive with goals by Brendan Laverty and Aidan McCarry giving Loughgiel a 2-12 to 1-12 victory. Inter-county Conneely made his senior debut for on 18 November 1979 in a 2-9 to 3-4 National Hurling League defeat of Kilkenny. He was a regular played during the league campaigns over the next few years, and collected All-Ireland and Leinster medals as a non-paying substitute.
On 30 May 1982 Conneely made his championship debut in a narrow 2-16 to 3-12 Leinster quarter-final defeat of Wexford.
The subsequent centenary year All-Ireland decider on 2 September 1984 saw Cork providing the opposition. retained the provincial crown in 1985, with Conneely adding a second Leinster medal to his collection following a 5-15 to 0-17 trouncing of Laois. Galway provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland final on 1 September 1985 and a tense game ensued.
Pat Cleary scored the first goals of the day after twenty-six minutes of play and got his second less than half a minute after the restart. Joe Dooley had a goal disallowed halfway through the second-half while a long Joe Cooney effort, which seemed to cross the goal line, was not given.
P. J. Molloy was Galway"s goal scorer, however, the day belonged to
A 2-11 to 1-12 victory gave Conneely his first All-Ireland winners" medal on the field of play. Conneely played his last game for on 12 October 1986 in a 2-7 to 2-13 defeat by Kilkenny in the National Hurling League. Player Saint
