Séamus Cleere
Encyclopedia
Séamus Cleere is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Bennetsbridge
and with the Kilkenny
senior inter-county team from 1960 until 1968. Cleere captained Kilkenny to the All-Ireland
title in 1963.
club. He had much success with the side in the 1960s, winning six Kilkenny SHC titles in all.
medal. It was Kilkenny’s first league title since 1933. The following year he was appointed captain of the team and he won his first Leinster
title following a comfortable victory over Dublin
. This victory allowed Kilkenny to advance directly into the All-Ireland final where, for the third successive occasion, their opponents turned out to be Waterford
. In the game itself Eddie Keher
scored a record 14 points, 10 of which came from frees, giving the Kilkenny men a comfortable 4-17 to 6-8 victory over the Decies. Cleere had captured his first All-Ireland
medal and had the honour of collecting the Liam McCarthy Cup
on behalf of his county. His performances throughout the championship campaign earned him a coveted Cú Chulainn award and the Texaco Hurler of the Year Award.
In 1964 Cleere won a second Leinster title following another huge win over Dublin. Tipperary
later provided the opposition in the All-Ireland final, however, in spite of Kilkenny being the pundits’ favourites the men from Munster
completely overpowered Cleers' side on a score line of 5-13 to 2-8.
Kilkenny lost their provincial crown in 1965, however, the team bounced back in 1966 with Cleere collecting a second National League medal and a third Leinster title. Kilkenny later faced Cork in the All-Ireland final for the first time since 1947 and, once again, the Leinster champions were the red-hot favourites over an unfancied Cork side. In the game itself Eddie Keher scored a late goal, however, the damage was done as Cork went on to win their first All-Ireland title in twelve years.
The following year Kilkenny continued their provincial dominance with Cleere picking up a fourth Leinster title before lining out in a fourth All-Ireland final at Croke Park
. Tipperary were Kilkenny’s opponents on the day, however, ‘the Cats’ had goals at vital times from Paddy Moran
, Martin Brennan
and Tom Walsh to lay to rest a Tipperary bogey that had lasted since 1922. Kilkenny won on a score line of 3-8 to 2-7 and Cleere collected a second All-Ireland medal.
Cleere won his fifth Leinster medal as a substitute in 1969, however, a knee-injury kept him out of the All-Ireland final which Kilkenny won. In spite of this he was still awarded with a third All-Ireland medal and he retired following the conclusion of the championship.
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...
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 Bennetsbridge
Bennettsbridge GAA
Bennettsbridge is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny, Ireland. The Bridge last won the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship in 1971, although they are no longer a senior championship side.-Achievements:...
and with 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 1960 until 1968. Cleere captained Kilkenny to the 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 in 1963.
Club
Cleere played his club hurling with his local BennettsbridgeBennettsbridge GAA
Bennettsbridge is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny, Ireland. The Bridge last won the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship in 1971, although they are no longer a senior championship side.-Achievements:...
club. He had much success with the side in the 1960s, winning six Kilkenny SHC titles in all.
Inter-county
Cleere first came to prominence on the inter-county sceen in 1962 when he captured his first National Hurling LeagueNational 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...
medal. It was Kilkenny’s first league title since 1933. The following year he was appointed captain of the team and he won 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....
title following a comfortable victory over Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
. This victory allowed Kilkenny to advance directly into the All-Ireland final where, for the third successive occasion, their opponents turned out to be 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 the game itself 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....
scored a record 14 points, 10 of which came from frees, giving the Kilkenny men a comfortable 4-17 to 6-8 victory over the Decies. Cleere had captured 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 and had the honour of collecting the Liam McCarthy Cup
Liam McCarthy Cup
The MacCarthy Perpetual Challenge Cup is a trophy awarded annually by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the hurling team that wins the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.-The trophy:...
on behalf of his county. His performances throughout the championship campaign earned him a coveted Cú Chulainn award and the Texaco Hurler of the Year Award.
In 1964 Cleere won a second Leinster title following another huge win over Dublin. 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...
later provided the opposition in the All-Ireland final, however, in spite of Kilkenny being the pundits’ favourites the men from Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
completely overpowered Cleers' side on a score line of 5-13 to 2-8.
Kilkenny lost their provincial crown in 1965, however, the team bounced back in 1966 with Cleere collecting a second National League medal and a third Leinster title. Kilkenny later faced Cork in the All-Ireland final for the first time since 1947 and, once again, the Leinster champions were the red-hot favourites over an unfancied Cork side. In the game itself Eddie Keher scored a late goal, however, the damage was done as Cork went on to win their first All-Ireland title in twelve years.
The following year Kilkenny continued their provincial dominance with Cleere picking up a fourth Leinster title before lining out in a fourth All-Ireland final 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...
. Tipperary were Kilkenny’s opponents on the day, however, ‘the Cats’ had goals at vital times from Paddy Moran
Paddy Moran (hurler)
Paddy Moran is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Bennettsbridge and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1963 until 1972.-Early life:...
, Martin Brennan
Martin Brennan (hurler)
Martin Brennan is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Erin's Own and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 19678 until 1969.-References:...
and Tom Walsh to lay to rest a Tipperary bogey that had lasted since 1922. Kilkenny won on a score line of 3-8 to 2-7 and Cleere collected a second All-Ireland medal.
Cleere won his fifth Leinster medal as a substitute in 1969, however, a knee-injury kept him out of the All-Ireland final which Kilkenny won. In spite of this he was still awarded with a third All-Ireland medal and he retired following the conclusion of the championship.
Bennettsbridge
- Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship:
- Winner (7): 1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1971
Kilkenny
- All-Ireland Senior Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe 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....
:- Winner (1): 1963All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1963-Miscellaneous:* Waterford's Munster final victory was their last until 2002.* The All-Ireland final was Waterford's ninth time playing at Croke Park. It would be 1998 before the team returned to the stadium for an All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny...
, 1967All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1967-Season:-References:* Corry, Eoghan, The GAA Book of Lists .* Donegan, Des, The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games .... - Runner-up (2): 1964All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1964-Season:-Single game:-Debutantes:The following players made their début in the 1969 championship:-References:* Corry, Eoghan, The GAA Book of Lists ....
, 1966All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1966-Miscellaneous:* Tipperary's defeat by Limerick in the first round of the Munster championship was the team's first defeat since the provincial decider of 1963. It also put an end to Tipperary's hopes of capturing a third All-Ireland title in-a-row....
- Winner (1): 1963
- Leinster Senior Hurling ChampionshipLeinster Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe 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....
:- Winner (4): 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1969 (sub)
- Runner-up (3): 1960, 1962, 1968
- National Hurling LeagueNational Hurling LeagueThe 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...
:- Winner (2): 1961-1962, 1965–1966
- Runner-up (1): 1966-1967