Johnny Flaherty
Encyclopedia
Johnny Flaherty is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Kinnitty and with the Offaly
senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s.
with his local club Kinnitty and enjoyed much success. His skill at the game became apparent from as early as 1957 when he won his first juvenile hurling medal with the club. Flaherty made his senior debut for the club at the age of seventeen, as well as playing at minor and under-21 levels. In 1966 he won a county junior title with the club before going on to win senior county titles in 1967, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984 and 1985.
minor and under-21 teams. He had little success in either of these grades and he quickly joined the county senior team. Flaherty emigrated to the United States
at the start of the 1970s, however, when he returned he resumed his place on the Offaly senior team. Things were on the up for the Offaly hurlers in the late 1970s; however, the big breakthrough was yet to come. All this changed in 1980 when Flaherty’s team defeated reigning All-Ireland champions Kilkenny
in the Leinster final. It was the first time that Offaly had captured the provincial title and it gave Flaherty his first Leinster
medal. It was a remarkable turnaround for a team that had no hurling tradition. Unfortunately Offaly’s dream season came to an end at the hands of Galway
in the All-Ireland semi-final. In 1981 Offaly retained their provincial crown and Flaherty added a second Leinster medal to his collection. This victory allowed Offaly to advance directly to the All-Ireland final. Galway, the reigning champions, provided the opposition on that occasion and Flaherty had a brilliant game. After fourteen minutes he passed the sliothar to Pat Carroll
who scored the first of Offaly’s goals. The game hung in the balance right up until the very end when Flaherty hand-passed the sliothar into the net to secure a 2-12 to 0-15 win for Offaly. It was Flaherty’s first All-Ireland
title and he was later rewarded with an All-Star
award. Offaly lost their provincial title to Kilkenny in 1983 and Flaherty retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Kinnitty and with the Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s.
Club
Flaherty played his club hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Kinnitty and enjoyed much success. His skill at the game became apparent from as early as 1957 when he won his first juvenile hurling medal with the club. Flaherty made his senior debut for the club at the age of seventeen, as well as playing at minor and under-21 levels. In 1966 he won a county junior title with the club before going on to win senior county titles in 1967, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984 and 1985.
Inter-county
Flaherty first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the OffalyOffaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
minor and under-21 teams. He had little success in either of these grades and he quickly joined the county senior team. Flaherty emigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at the start of the 1970s, however, when he returned he resumed his place on the Offaly senior team. Things were on the up for the Offaly hurlers in the late 1970s; however, the big breakthrough was yet to come. All this changed in 1980 when Flaherty’s team defeated reigning All-Ireland champions Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
in the Leinster final. It was the first time that Offaly had captured the provincial title and it gave Flaherty his first Leinster
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
The Leinster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland....
medal. It was a remarkable turnaround for a team that had no hurling tradition. Unfortunately Offaly’s dream season came to an end at the hands of Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
in the All-Ireland semi-final. In 1981 Offaly retained their provincial crown and Flaherty added a second Leinster medal to his collection. This victory allowed Offaly to advance directly to the All-Ireland final. Galway, the reigning champions, provided the opposition on that occasion and Flaherty had a brilliant game. After fourteen minutes he passed the sliothar to Pat Carroll
Pat Carroll (hurler)
Pat Carroll was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Coolderry and with the Offaly senior inter-county team from 1977 until 1985.-Early & private life:...
who scored the first of Offaly’s goals. The game hung in the balance right up until the very end when Flaherty hand-passed the sliothar into the net to secure a 2-12 to 0-15 win for Offaly. It was Flaherty’s first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
title and he was later rewarded with an All-Star
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
award. Offaly lost their provincial title to Kilkenny in 1983 and Flaherty retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.