Joyce first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Kilkenny minor team in 2004. He won a Leinster medal that year following a heavy 1–15 to 1–4 defeat of Dublin. [8] The subsequent All-Ireland decider on 12 September 2004 pitted Kilkenny against Galway. Richie Hogan proved to be the hero for Kilkenny, as his point, a minute into injury time, earned "the Cats" a 1–18 to 3–12 draw. [9] The replay a week later was also a close affair, with Galway just about holding off the Kilkenny challenge. A 0–16 to 1–12 victory gave Joyce an All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship medal. [10]
By 2006 Joyce had linked up with the Kilkenny under-21 team. He won a Leinster medal that year following a 2-18 to 2-10 defeat of Dublin before later lining out in the All-Ireland decider against Tipperary on 10 September 2006. A last second opportunist goal by Richie Hogan saved Kilkenny and secured a 2-14 apiece draw. [11] The replay a week later was another close encounter, however, Paddy Hogan's first half goal helped Kilkenny claw their way to the title. The 1-11 to 0-11 victory gave Joyce an All-Ireland medal. [12]
After surrendering their provincial and All-Ireland crowns the following year, Joyce won a second Leinster medal in 2008 following a facile 2–21 to 2–9 defeat of Offaly. [13] Old rivals Tipperary provided the opposition in the All-Ireland decider on 14 September 2008. Tipperary whittled down a six-point half-time deficit to just two with minutes to go, however, Kilkenny hung on to win by 2–13 to 0–15 and secure the Grand Slam of championship titles. [14] It was also a second All-Ireland medal for Joyce.
Joyce was also a key member of the Kilkenny intermediate for a number of seasons. He won his first Leinster medal in this grade in 2006 following a 2-20 to 0-8 trouncing of Wexford. [15] On 26 August 2006 Kilkenny faced Cork in the All-Ireland decider, however, a 3-15 to 1-18 defeat was Joyce's lot on that occasion.
Two years later in 2008 Joyce captured his second Leinster medal following a 4-26 to 3-15 trouncing of Dublin. On 30 August 2008 Kilkenny faced Limerick in the All-Ireland decider. A 1-16 to 0-13 victory gave Joyce an All-Ireland medal in that grade. [16]
Joyce won a third Leinster medal in 2011 following a 2-19 to 2-8 defeat of Wexford in the provincial decider. [17]
Senior
Joyce first linked up with the Kilkenny senior team in 2009 when he was a member of the extended training panel. He spent two years in this capacity before becoming a member of the match-day panel in 2011. He was an unused substitute during Kilkenny's successful Leinster and All-Ireland campaigns that year. [18] [19] In spite of not playing, Joyce was still presented with winners' medals.
2012 began well for Joyce as he made his debut during the National Hurling League. He ended the campaign with a winners' medal following a 3–21 to 0–16 demolition of old rivals Cork. [20] Kilkenny were later shocked by Galway in the Leinster decider, losing by 2–21 to 2–11, however, both sides subsequently met in the All-Ireland decider on 9 September 2012. [21] Kilkenny had led going into the final stretch, however, Joe Canning struck a stoppage time equaliser to level the game at 2–13 to 0–19 and send the final to a replay for the first time since 1959. [22] The replay took place three weeks later on 30 September 2012. Galway stunned the reigning champions with two first-half goals, however, Kilkenny's championship debutant Walter Walsh gave a man of the match performance. The 3–22 to 3–11 Kilkenny victory gave Joyce a second All-Ireland medal and his first on the field of play. [23]
Kilkenny's dominance showed no sign of abating in 2013, with Joyce winning a second league medal following a 2–17 to 0–20 defeat of Tipperary in the decider. [24]
In 2014 Joyce collected his third successive league medal, as Kilkenny secured a narrow one-point 2–25 to 1–27 extra-time victory over Tipperary. [25] Joyce subsequently secured his first Leinster medal on the field of play, as a dominant Kilkenny display gave "the Cats" a 0–24 to 1–9 defeat of Dublin. [26] On 7 September 2014 Kilkenny faced Tipperary in the All-Ireland decider. In what some consider to be the greatest game of all time, the sides were level when Tipperary were awarded a controversial free. John O'Dwyer had the chance to win the game, however, his late free drifted wide resulting in a draw. [27] The replay on 27 September 2014 was also a close affair. Goals from brothers Richie and John Power inspired Kilkenny to a 2–17 to 2–14 victory. [28] It was Joyce's third All-Ireland medal overall.
Joyce won a third Leinster medal in 2015 following a 1-25 to 2-15 defeat of Galway in the provincial decider. [29] It was Kilkenny's 70th provincial title. Kilkenny and Galway later renewed their rivalry when they faced each other again in the All-Ireland final on 6 September 2015. The team struggled in the first half, however, a T. J. Reid goal and a dominant second half display, which limited Galway to just 1-4, saw Kilkenny power to a 1-22 to 1-18 victory. [30] It was Joyce's fourth All-Ireland medal overall.
Kilkenny retained the Leinster title in 2016, with Joyce claiming a fourth winners' medal following a 1-26 to 0-22 defeat of Galway. [31] Kilkenny subsequently qualified for an All-Ireland final meeting with Tipperary on 5 September 2016. While just two points separated the sides at the interval, Tipperary completely outplayed Kilkenny for the second half. A total of 2-21 for their inside forward line of Séamus Callanan, John McGrath and John O'Dwyer helped them to a huge 2-29 to 2-20 victory. [32]
After disappointing league and championship campaigns in 2017, Joyce announced his retirement from inter-county hurling on 26 October 2017.
