 Born in Leitir Móir, County Galway, Connolly's family moved to Castlegar on the outskirts of Galway while he was still a young boy.He was educated at St. Mary's College in the city and quickly earned a reputation as an all-round sportsperson.He played competitive hurling and Gaelic football as well as participating in boxing, in which he was crowned Connacht junior champion at light-welterweight in 1965.