Seánie O'Leary
Encyclopedia
Seanie O'Leary is a former Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Youghal
and with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1971 until 1984.
, County Cork
in 1952. He was educated locally and currently works as an agricultural finance manager with Irish Permanent. His son, Tomás O'Leary
, captained Cork to an All-Ireland
minor title in 2001 and currently plays rugby with Munster
.
minor medal following a defeat of Kilkenny
in the championship decider. 1970 saw O’Leary repeat this feat by adding a second consecutive set of Munster and All-Ireland minor medals to his collection. He also pulled off a unique double that year by winning an All-Ireland
medal at under-21 level. O’Leary captured a first Munster under-21 title in 1971, before adding a second All-Ireland under-21 medal to his collection. The success continued in 1973 when he won a second Munster medal and a third All-Ireland medal at under-21 level.
By this stage O'Leary had made his debut on the Cork senior hurling team. In 1972 he claimed his first National Hurling League
title, before winning his first senior Munster
medal later that same summer. Cork reached the All-Ireland final that year but were eventually defeated by Kilkenny
one of the classic games of the modern era. Cork's fortunes in the Munster Championship took a downturn for the next few years, however, O'Leary secured a second National League title in 1974. In 1975 he won a second Munster title at senior level, however, Cork were beaten by Galway
in the All-Ireland semi-final. The following year O’Leary won a third provincial title, a victory which allowed Cork to advance directly to the All-Ireland final. ‘The Rebels’ faced a nightmare start as Wexford
scored two goals in the first eight minutes. Cork quickly settled into the game and defeated the men from the Model County on a score line of 2-21 to 4-11, giving O’Leary his first senior All-Ireland
title. His performance throughout the championship earned the Youghal-man an All-Star
award for his excellent displays at corner-forward.
In 1977 O’Leary captured a fourth Munster title and Cork qualified for a second consecutive All-Ireland final showdown with Wexford. Before the game had even started, however, O'Leary injured himself. During a pre-match warm-up in front of Hill 16
he got hit in the face with a sliothar, suffering a broken nose. He missed the parade before the game due to his injury but played for the full 70 minutes, being described throughout the game by RTÉ
commentator Michael O'Hehir
as "the man who nearly didn't play." In spite of this injury O’Leary collected a second All-Ireland medal that day and later he won a second All-Star. 1978 saw O’Leary add a fifth provincial medal to his collection. It was a special year for Cork hurling as the team later defeated Kilkenny in the championship decider, giving O’Leary a third All-Ireland medal in-a-row. In 1979 he won a fifth consecutive Munster medal, his sixth in all, however, Cork were caught on the hop by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final once again. Cork’s championship form took a downturn for the next two seasons, however, O’Leary won back-to-back National League medals in 1980 and 1981 bringing his overall tally to four.
Cork were back on form again in 1982 with O'Leary winning his seventh Munster title, however, Kilkenny were the victors in the All-Ireland final. O'Leary won his eighth Munster medal in 1983 but once again the All-Ireland title went to the men from Kilkenny. In the 1984 Munster final against Tipperary
he gave his most outstanding display as a hurler. Cork were trailing Tipp by four points with four minutes to go when O'Leary and Tony O'Sullivan
scored two quick goals to clinch victory for Cork. Having suffered defeat in the two previous All-Ireland final Cork made no mistake in disposing of Offaly
in a very special All-Ireland final at Semple Stadium
in Thurles
. It was O'Leary's fourth All-Ireland medal and his last game for Cork. He was once again honoured with a third and final All-Star award.
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 Youghal
Youghal GAA
Youghal GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Youghal, in County Cork, Ireland. The club fields both Hurling and Gaelic football teams. The club is a member of Cork GAA and Imokilly divisional board.-History:...
and with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1971 until 1984.
Early & private life
Seánie O’Leary was born in YoughalYoughal
Youghal is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Sitting on the estuary of the River Blackwater, in the past it was militarily and economically important. Being built on the edge of a steep riverbank, the town has a distinctive long and narrow layout...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
in 1952. He was educated locally and currently works as an agricultural finance manager with Irish Permanent. His son, Tomás O'Leary
Tomás O'Leary
Tomás O'Leary is an Irish Rugby Union player, playing in the scrum half position for Munster and Dolphin RFC. The son of Cork hurler, Seánie O'Leary, Tomás played Gaelic football and hurling before committing to Rugby....
, captained Cork to an 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...
minor title in 2001 and currently plays rugby with Munster
Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish...
.
Inter-county
As a player for Cork on the inter-county scene O’Leary carved out a reputation for himself as a deadly goal-poacher who could seemingly produce a goal out of nothing. He first came to prominence in 1969 when he won a Munster title at minor level. O’Leary later captured an All-IrelandAll-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...
minor medal following a defeat of 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 championship decider. 1970 saw O’Leary repeat this feat by adding a second consecutive set of Munster and All-Ireland minor medals to his collection. He also pulled off a unique double that year by winning an All-Ireland
All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of hurling played in Ireland...
medal at under-21 level. O’Leary captured a first Munster under-21 title in 1971, before adding a second All-Ireland under-21 medal to his collection. The success continued in 1973 when he won a second Munster medal and a third All-Ireland medal at under-21 level.
By this stage O'Leary had made his debut on the Cork senior hurling team. In 1972 he claimed his first 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, before winning his first senior Munster
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster 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 Munster in Ireland....
medal later that same summer. Cork reached the All-Ireland final that year but were eventually defeated by 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...
one of the classic games of the modern era. Cork's fortunes in the Munster Championship took a downturn for the next few years, however, O'Leary secured a second National League title in 1974. In 1975 he won a second Munster title at senior level, however, Cork were beaten by 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. The following year O’Leary won a third provincial title, a victory which allowed Cork to advance directly to the All-Ireland final. ‘The Rebels’ faced a nightmare start as 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...
scored two goals in the first eight minutes. Cork quickly settled into the game and defeated the men from the Model County on a score line of 2-21 to 4-11, giving O’Leary his first senior 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. His performance throughout the championship earned the Youghal-man 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 for his excellent displays at corner-forward.
In 1977 O’Leary captured a fourth Munster title and Cork qualified for a second consecutive All-Ireland final showdown with Wexford. Before the game had even started, however, O'Leary injured himself. During a pre-match warm-up in front of Hill 16
Hill 16 (Croke Park)
Hill 16 officially called Dineen/Hill 16 is a terrace on the railway end of Croke Park, the show piece stadium of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Dublin City, Ireland. It is considered a national icon....
he got hit in the face with a sliothar, suffering a broken nose. He missed the parade before the game due to his injury but played for the full 70 minutes, being described throughout the game by RTÉ
RTE
RTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
commentator Michael O'Hehir
Michael O'Hehir
Michael James Hehir was an Irish hurling, football and horse racing commentator and journalist. Between 1938 and 1985 his enthusiasm and a memorable turn of phrase endeared him to many...
as "the man who nearly didn't play." In spite of this injury O’Leary collected a second All-Ireland medal that day and later he won a second All-Star. 1978 saw O’Leary add a fifth provincial medal to his collection. It was a special year for Cork hurling as the team later defeated Kilkenny in the championship decider, giving O’Leary a third All-Ireland medal in-a-row. In 1979 he won a fifth consecutive Munster medal, his sixth in all, however, Cork were caught on the hop by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final once again. Cork’s championship form took a downturn for the next two seasons, however, O’Leary won back-to-back National League medals in 1980 and 1981 bringing his overall tally to four.
Cork were back on form again in 1982 with O'Leary winning his seventh Munster title, however, Kilkenny were the victors in the All-Ireland final. O'Leary won his eighth Munster medal in 1983 but once again the All-Ireland title went to the men from Kilkenny. In the 1984 Munster final against 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...
he gave his most outstanding display as a hurler. Cork were trailing Tipp by four points with four minutes to go when O'Leary and Tony O'Sullivan
Tony O'Sullivan
Tony O'Sullivan is an Irish retired sportsperson. A dual player, he played both hurling and Gaelic football with his local club Na Piarsaigh and was a member of both Cork senior inter-county teams in the 1980s and 1990s.-Club:O’Sullivan played his club hurling with the Na Piarsaigh club on the...
scored two quick goals to clinch victory for Cork. Having suffered defeat in the two previous All-Ireland final Cork made no mistake in disposing of 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...
in a very special All-Ireland final at Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium, located in Thurles, North Tipperary, Ireland, is the home of hurling for Tipperary GAA and for the province of Munster. It is the second largest stadium in Ireland with a capacity of 53,500....
in Thurles
Thurles
Thurles is a town situated in North Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Eliogarty and is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly...
. It was O'Leary's fourth All-Ireland medal and his last game for Cork. He was once again honoured with a third and final All-Star award.