Tributes flow following death of Galway GAA legend and uncle of current manager Padraic Joyce

Galway GAA is in mourning following the passing of one of its most celebrated footballers, Billy Joyce, with heartfelt tributes flooding in from across the GAA community.

The death of the eight-time Connacht title winner was announced on the Galway Footballers Homepage Facebook page on Tuesday evening.

Billy, an uncle to current Galway boss Padraic Joyce, played a pivotal role in Killererin's first Galway Senior Football Championship victory in the 1970s, reports Galway Beo.

Notably, it was Billy who gave his nephew Padraic his senior debut at the club when he took the reins as manager in 1992, with Padraic only 15 years old at the time. Billy also steered the Galway team to the Connacht title in 1987 and guided the Junior squad to All-Ireland glory in 1985.

As a midfielder, Joyce represented Galway from 1969 into the 1980s. Despite his impressive record in Connacht Finals, he experienced the disappointment of four All-Ireland Final losses in 1971, '73, '74 and 1983.

His club career was just as illustrious, securing Connacht medals and two county championships with Killererin. Previously, Galway Footballers Homepage had lauded Billy, saying: "Billy Joyce had a distinguished career in both the Maroon and White of Galway and the Red and White of Killererin.

"In the maroon and white, he had a 15-year playing career and he was one of a large number of great Galway footballers who were unlucky in All-Ireland finals in the early 1970s. Joyce played in 3 All-Ireland SFC finals in 4 years (1971, '73 and '74), unfortunately, losing all 3 finals.

"Billy won eight Connacht SFC medals, one Connacht Junior medal and those two cherished Connacht Club medals with Killererin. That's a total of eleven Connacht medals in championship football, which is a tribute to the man himself and to his commitment and determination."

"He played in the middle for Galway with a number of other big names but he is especially remembered for his long-time partnership with Brian Talty. They were in brilliant form against their old rivals, Roscommon, when Galway won the 1981 NFL Division 1 title in Croke Park.

The tribute continued: "Joyce was Killererin's spiritual leader during the successful 1970s, winning the Frank Fox Cup in 1976 and 1978, along with one county senior league title. In '76 and '78, they were also crowned Connacht Club champions.

"After his playing career ended, Billy was manager of the Galway team who won the 1987 Connacht SFC title and he also manager of the Galway team who won the 1985 All-Ireland Junior Championship.

"Joyce also enjoyed success in club management. He managed Killererin to the 2004 Galway SFC title and they reached the Connacht Club SFC final, losing out to Ballina Stephenites."

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