Phil Larkin
Encyclopedia
Phil 'Fan' Larkin is a retired Irish
hurling
manager
and former player. He played hurling his local club James Stephens
and was a member of the Kilkenny
senior inter-county team from 1963 until 1979. Larkin is regarded as one of Kilkenny's greatest-ever players.
in 1941. He was born into a family that was steeped in hurling
tradition. His father, Paddy Larkin
, had played in seven All-Ireland
finals in the 1930s, finishing on the losing side on four occasions including as captain in 1936. He was also captain when Leinster
won the Railway Cup title in 1936, the third of his inter-provincial successes. His brother Mick was a substitute on the victorious Kilkenny team in 1935. 'Fan' Larkin was educated locally and quickly followed in his father's footsteps as a hurling star with both club and county.
Larkin's son, Philly Larkin
, also played with Kilkenny
and won an All-Ireland medals in 2000 and 2003.
Philip Larkin has a cousin with an identical name. In order to avoid confusion, his middle name of Francis was abbreviated to Fan, hence the nickname of Phil 'Fan' Larkin.
with the famous James Stephens
club in Kilkenny. He had some success at underage levels before winning his first senior county championship in 1969. Larkin won his second county title in 1975 before later converting this into a Leinster
and an All-Ireland
club medal. He won another county medal in 1976 before winning his fourth title in 1981. This final win was once again converted into a second Leinster club title. In May 1982 Larkin, at the age of 41, won his second All-Ireland club title following a memorable victory over Mount Sion.
Larkin also had club successes as a football
er. He won a junior county title in 1962 with Clann na nGael, before winning two senior county titles with the same club in 1963 and 1964. Larkin won a county football medal with James Stephens in 1976.
inter-county selectors and he joined the minor team in the late 1950s. In 1959 he played in the All-Ireland
final, however, victory went to Tipperary
on that occasion after Larkin was forced to retire early from the game with an injury. Larkin made his senior debut in 1962 in a National Hurling League
game against Tipperary. The following year he won his first senior Leinster
title. He subsequently won his first All-Ireland
medal following a victory over Waterford
.In 1964 Larkin claimed his second Leinster medal, but his side were defeated in the final by his old enemies of Tipperary
. Kilkenny lost the Leinster final in 1965, but returned in 1966 with a side that didn't contain Larkin. He remained sidelined for five years, making a return at corner-back in 1971 and winning his third provincial title. He marked Michael 'Babs' Keating in the subsequent All-Ireland final, however, in spite of an outstanding display by Eddie Keher
, Larkin ended up on the losing side.
In 1972 Larkin won a fourth Leinster title before helping Kilkenny to defeat Cork in the All-Ireland final. It was Larkin's second All-Ireland winners medal as a player, coming a full nine years after his first. 1973 saw Larkin win another Leinster medal, however, Kilkenny were defeated by Limerick
in the All-Ireland final. The team quickly regrouped to win back-to-back Leinster and All-Ireland titles in 1974 and 1975. The 1975 final against Galway
saw Larkin produce what many believe to have been his best ever display for Kilkenny
. In 1976 Larkin captained Kilkenny to a National Hurling League
title, however, the side later lost their provincial crown to Wexford
. In 1978 Kilkenny
were back as Leinster champions with Larkin winning his eighth provincial medal. Unfortunately for Kilkenny
, Cork completed a three-in-a-row, winning the All-Ireland final by 1-15 to 2-8.
In 1979 Larkin won another provincial championship, before going on to claim his fifth All-Ireland medal at the age of 38. It was his last big occasion at Croke Park
as he retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards. Larkin also won six Railway Cup medals with Leinster
and four All-Star
awards.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
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...
manager
Manager (Gaelic games)
In Gaelic games, a manager or coach is an individual involved in the direction and instruction of the on-field operations of a team. Managing, or coaching, entails the application of sport tactics and strategies during the game itself, and usually entails substitution of players and other such...
and former player. He played hurling his local club James Stephens
James Stephens (GAA Club)
James Stephens is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1887 and has enjoyed equal success in both hurling and Gaelic football.-History:...
and was a member of the 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...
senior inter-county team from 1963 until 1979. Larkin is regarded as one of Kilkenny's greatest-ever players.
Biography
Phil 'Fan' Larkin was born and raised in 'the village' area of KilkennyKilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
in 1941. He was born into a family that was steeped in 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...
tradition. His father, Paddy Larkin
Paddy Larkin
Paddy Larkin was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club James Stephens and with the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1931 until 1943.-Biography:Paddy Larkin was born and raised in locally named 'village' area of Kilkenny...
, had played in seven 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....
finals in the 1930s, finishing on the losing side on four occasions including as captain in 1936. He was also captain when Leinster
Leinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
won the Railway Cup title in 1936, the third of his inter-provincial successes. His brother Mick was a substitute on the victorious Kilkenny team in 1935. 'Fan' Larkin was educated locally and quickly followed in his father's footsteps as a hurling star with both club and county.
Larkin's son, Philly Larkin
Philly Larkin
Philip "Philly" Larkin is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club James Stephens and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1996 until 2003.-Biography:...
, also played with 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...
and won an All-Ireland medals in 2000 and 2003.
Philip Larkin has a cousin with an identical name. In order to avoid confusion, his middle name of Francis was abbreviated to Fan, hence the nickname of Phil 'Fan' Larkin.
Club
Larkin 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 the famous James Stephens
James Stephens (GAA Club)
James Stephens is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1887 and has enjoyed equal success in both hurling and Gaelic football.-History:...
club in Kilkenny. He had some success at underage levels before winning his first senior county championship in 1969. Larkin won his second county title in 1975 before later converting this into a Leinster
Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship
The Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual Hurling tournament played between the winners of the senior club hurling championships of the counties in Leinster. The current holders of the Leinster title are Ballyhale Shamrocks from Kilkenny. The first Leinster senior club hurling...
and an All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling tournament played between hundreds of senior hurling clubs in Ireland. The Tommy Moore Cup is awarded to the winners. The current champions are Clarinbridge...
club medal. He won another county medal in 1976 before winning his fourth title in 1981. This final win was once again converted into a second Leinster club title. In May 1982 Larkin, at the age of 41, won his second All-Ireland club title following a memorable victory over Mount Sion.
Larkin also had club successes as a football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
er. He won a junior county title in 1962 with Clann na nGael, before winning two senior county titles with the same club in 1963 and 1964. Larkin won a county football medal with James Stephens in 1976.
Inter-county
Larkin's hurling skills quickly brought him to the attention of the KilkennyKilkenny 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...
inter-county selectors and he joined the minor team in the late 1950s. In 1959 he played in the All-Ireland
All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor Championship is an annual competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for competitors under eighteen years of age in the game of hurling played in Ireland.The series of games are played during the summer months with the All-Ireland final...
final, however, victory went to Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
on that occasion after Larkin was forced to retire early from the game with an injury. Larkin made his senior debut in 1962 in a National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
game against Tipperary. The following year he won his first senior 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....
title. He subsequently won his 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....
medal following a victory over Waterford
Waterford GAA
The Waterford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Waterford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for all levels of Gaelic games in County Waterford. The County Board is also responsible for the Waterford inter-county teams. The county...
.In 1964 Larkin claimed his second Leinster medal, but his side were defeated in the final by his old enemies of Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
. Kilkenny lost the Leinster final in 1965, but returned in 1966 with a side that didn't contain Larkin. He remained sidelined for five years, making a return at corner-back in 1971 and winning his third provincial title. He marked Michael 'Babs' Keating in the subsequent All-Ireland final, however, in spite of an outstanding display by Eddie Keher
Eddie Keher
Edward Peter Keher , better known as Eddie Keher, is a retired Irish hurling manager and former player. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game....
, Larkin ended up on the losing side.
In 1972 Larkin won a fourth Leinster title before helping Kilkenny to defeat Cork in the All-Ireland final. It was Larkin's second All-Ireland winners medal as a player, coming a full nine years after his first. 1973 saw Larkin win another Leinster medal, however, Kilkenny were defeated by Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
in the All-Ireland final. The team quickly regrouped to win back-to-back Leinster and All-Ireland titles in 1974 and 1975. The 1975 final against 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,...
saw Larkin produce what many believe to have been his best ever display for 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 1976 Larkin captained Kilkenny to a National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
title, however, the side later lost their provincial crown to Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
. In 1978 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...
were back as Leinster champions with Larkin winning his eighth provincial medal. Unfortunately for 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...
, Cork completed a three-in-a-row, winning the All-Ireland final by 1-15 to 2-8.
In 1979 Larkin won another provincial championship, before going on to claim his fifth All-Ireland medal at the age of 38. It was his last big occasion at Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
as he retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards. Larkin also won six Railway Cup medals with Leinster
Leinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
and four 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...
awards.