Joe McDonnell (hunger striker)

Joseph (Joe) McDonnell (14 September 1951 – 8 July 1981) was a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), who died in the 1981 Irish hunger strike.

Early life

McDonnell was born on Slate Street in the lower Falls Road of Belfast, and was one of 10 children. He went to a Roman Catholic school which was nearby. In 1970, he married Goretti, and moved into her sister's house in Lenadoon. There were only two Catholic houses in this predominantly Ulster Protestant housing estate, and the house was attacked on numerous occasions.

IRA activity

McDonnell was arrested in Operation Demetrius and interned on the prison ship HMS Maidstone along with Gerry Adams and others. He was later moved to HMP Maze for several months. Upon release, he joined the Provisional IRA Belfast Brigade. McDonnell met Bobby Sands during the preparation for a firebomb attack on the Balmoral Furnishing Company's premises in Dunmurry. During the ensuing shoot-out between the IRA, and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and British Army, both men, along with Séamus Finucane and Seán Lavery, were arrested. McDonnell and the other were sentenced to 14 years in prison for possession of a firearm. None of the men accepted the jurisdiction of the court.

Joe McDonnell

Joe McDonnell may refer to:

Joe McDonnell (footballer)

Joseph Patrick McDonnell (born 19 May 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for AFC Wimbledon.

Playing career

McDonnell came through the ranks at Basingstoke Town under the guidance of academy manager Jason Bristow, who gave him his first contract after playing amateur cricket up until around the age of 16 or 17. McDonnell was also previously coached by current AFC Wimbledon goalkeeping coach Ashley Bayes at Basingstoke, who he credits with influencing him to become a goalkeeper.

After graduating from the Basingstoke academy, McDonnell made two league appearances for the Dragons during the 2012–13 season, and a further four the following season, as well as spending time on loan at Hendon. He made a total of twelve appearances for Basingstoke Town in all competitions.

In July 2014, he signed a professional contract at AFC Wimbledon after turning down interest from other clubs. After featuring as a mainstay on Wimbledon's bench for the first half of the season, McDonnell made his first team début on 14 February 2015, coming on as a 23rd-minute substitute in the 2–0 away loss to Shrewsbury Town after James Shea was stretchered off.

Joe McDonnell (ice hockey)

Joe McDonnell (born May 11, 1961 in Kitchener, Ontario) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player, coach, and current Scout, who played 50 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks.

McDonnell is currently the Director of Amateur Scouting for the Dallas Stars. He was formerly the Director of Amateur Scouting for the Detroit Red Wings.

Playing career

McDonnell played junior hockey for his hometown Kitchener Rangers for five seasons. In his final year with the Rangers, McDonnell played in the 1981 Memorial Cup. Despite losing in the final to the Cornwall Royals 8-2, McDonnell and teammate Brian Bellows were named to the Memorial Cup All-Star team. During his time with the Rangers, McDonnell played with future Hockey Hall of Fame Paul Coffey and Al MacInnis, as well as other NHL stars such as Paul Reinhart and Don Maloney.

After his Major junior career was over, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Vancouver Canucks. He played seven games with the Canucks, but played most of his first professional season with the Dallas Black Hawks of the Central Hockey League. McDonnell bounced around in the AHL until the 1984–85 NHL season where he played 40 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring 2 goals and 11 points for the Penguins in 40 games that season. After playing only three games in the NHL next season; all with the Penguins, he retired from professional hockey.