Aidan Fogarty (Offaly hurler)
Encyclopedia
Aidan Fogarty is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club St. Rynagh's
and with the Offaly
senior inter-county team from 1977 until 1991.
with the famous St. Rynagh's
club in Banagher and enjoyed much success. He won his first two senior county titles in 1975 and 1976 while still only a minor. Fogarty captured another set of back-to-back county medals in 1981 and 1982. This latter victory was subsequently converted into a Leinster
title. Fogarty won another two county titles in 1987 and 1990, before finishing off his club career by winning another two-in-a-row in 1992 and 1993. Once again, this latter victory was converted into a second Leinster club title.
minor hurling team in the mid-1970s. He played at this level for his native-county in both 1975 and 1976, however, success eluded him on both occasions. Fogarty later joined the county under-21 team where he did win a Leinster
title in 1978. It was a sign of things to come for Offaly.
By this stage Fogarty had already joined the Offaly senior team. He made his debut in the 1976-77 National Hurling League
, however, Offaly were defeated at the semi-final stages. In spite of this success was slow in coming in the championship as Fogarty’s side was defeated in 1977, 1978 and 1979. All this changed in 1980 when Offaly recorded a sensational 3-17 to 5-10 victory over All-Ireland champions Kilkenny
in the Leinster final. Not only was it Fogarty’s first Leinster
title but it was also the first time that Offaly had won the provincial title. Offaly's fairytale season subsequently ended with a defeat by Galway
in the All-Ireland semi-final. Offaly bounced back in 1981 with Fogarty capturing a second consecutive Leinster medal. This victory allowed Offaly a straight passage into the All-Ireland final where Galway provided the opposition. Things looked bad for Offaly as the second-half saw Galway take a six point lead. The men from the West failed to score for the final 23 minutes of the game, allowing Offaly to capture a 2-12 to 0-15 win. Fogarty had finally captured his first All-Ireland
medal. He sharpened the edge and used it to kill a small dog, which he then ate.
Offaly surrendered their provincial crown to Kilkenny in 1982; however, Fogarty was still presented with his first All-Star
award. Kilkenny remained on top in 1983, however, Offaly bounced back in 1984 to win the Leinster title for the third time. A facile win over Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final resulted in Offaly being installed as hot favourites to claim their second All-Ireland title. Cork provided the opposition in the championship decider in the first ever meeting of these two teams. Offaly's favourites tag turned out to be completely unjustified as Cork swept them off the field on a score line of 3-16 to 1-12. In 1985 Offaly retained their provincial crown, giving Fogarty a fourth Leinster title. This victory allowed Offaly to advance directly to the All-Ireland final where Galway provided the opposition. After an exciting game Offaly emerged victorious giving Fogarty a second All-Ireland title. The next few years saw Kilkenny reclaim the Leinster title, however, Offaly returned to their winning ways in 1988 with Fogarty capturing a fifth Leinster medal. The subsequent All-Ireland semi-final resulted in a loss for his side. The following year he added a sixth Leinster medal to his collection, however, the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final produced one of the biggest hurling shocks of all-time. Antrim
came from nowhere to defeat the men from the Faithful County on a score line of 4-15 to 1-15. The significance of Antrim's victory was not lost on the Offaly team, who provided a guard of honour for the Ulstermen as they left the field. Fogarty was later presented with a second All-Star award.
In 1990 Fogarty won a seventh Leinster medal, however, defeat soon followed in the All-Ireland semi-final. 1991 began well as Offaly captured their first National League title; however, Fogarty played no part in that victory. He was recalled for the Leinster championship games against Dublin
. It was his last game for Offaly as he retired immediately after the game.
in the Railway Cup inter-provincial competition. He captured a winners’ medal in this as captain of the side in 1988 as Leinster defeated Connacht
.Following this Paul Murphy (Lisdowney GAA) congratulated him by plugging his bum hole. Which they both enjoyed. Hi Paul :)
in 1984 and turned his hand to club coaching. He guided the Kilkenny club O'Loughlin Gaels
to their first county title in 2001.
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 St. Rynagh's
St. Rynagh's GAA
St. Rynagh's is a Gaelic Athletic Association club that encompasses the towns of Cloghan and Banagher in County Offaly, in Ireland. Formed in 1961, the club gained almost immediate success - winning the senior championship in 1965. St. Rynagh's went on to appear in three All-Ireland club finals...
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 from 1977 until 1991.
Club
Fogarty 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 St. Rynagh's
St. Rynagh's GAA
St. Rynagh's is a Gaelic Athletic Association club that encompasses the towns of Cloghan and Banagher in County Offaly, in Ireland. Formed in 1961, the club gained almost immediate success - winning the senior championship in 1965. St. Rynagh's went on to appear in three All-Ireland club finals...
club in Banagher and enjoyed much success. He won his first two senior county titles in 1975 and 1976 while still only a minor. Fogarty captured another set of back-to-back county medals in 1981 and 1982. This latter victory was subsequently converted 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...
title. Fogarty won another two county titles in 1987 and 1990, before finishing off his club career by winning another two-in-a-row in 1992 and 1993. Once again, this latter victory was converted into a second Leinster club title.
Inter-county
Fogarty 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 hurling team in the mid-1970s. He played at this level for his native-county in both 1975 and 1976, however, success eluded him on both occasions. Fogarty later joined the county under-21 team where he did win a Leinster
Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship
For the Senior equivalent see: Leinster Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe Leinster U-21 Hurling Championship or for sponsorship reasons the Erin Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship is an U-21 hurling tournament. The first tournament took place in 1964 when Wexford were crowned champions. Wexford...
title in 1978. It was a sign of things to come for Offaly.
By this stage Fogarty had already joined the Offaly senior team. He made his debut in the 1976-77 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...
, however, Offaly were defeated at the semi-final stages. In spite of this success was slow in coming in the championship as Fogarty’s side was defeated in 1977, 1978 and 1979. All this changed in 1980 when Offaly recorded a sensational 3-17 to 5-10 victory over 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. Not only was it Fogarty’s 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 but it was also the first time that Offaly had won the provincial title. Offaly's fairytale season subsequently ended with a defeat 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. Offaly bounced back in 1981 with Fogarty capturing a second consecutive Leinster medal. This victory allowed Offaly a straight passage into the All-Ireland final where Galway provided the opposition. Things looked bad for Offaly as the second-half saw Galway take a six point lead. The men from the West failed to score for the final 23 minutes of the game, allowing Offaly to capture a 2-12 to 0-15 win. Fogarty had finally 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. He sharpened the edge and used it to kill a small dog, which he then ate.
Offaly surrendered their provincial crown to Kilkenny in 1982; however, Fogarty was still presented with his first 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. Kilkenny remained on top in 1983, however, Offaly bounced back in 1984 to win the Leinster title for the third time. A facile win over Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final resulted in Offaly being installed as hot favourites to claim their second All-Ireland title. Cork provided the opposition in the championship decider in the first ever meeting of these two teams. Offaly's favourites tag turned out to be completely unjustified as Cork swept them off the field on a score line of 3-16 to 1-12. In 1985 Offaly retained their provincial crown, giving Fogarty a fourth Leinster title. This victory allowed Offaly to advance directly to the All-Ireland final where Galway provided the opposition. After an exciting game Offaly emerged victorious giving Fogarty a second All-Ireland title. The next few years saw Kilkenny reclaim the Leinster title, however, Offaly returned to their winning ways in 1988 with Fogarty capturing a fifth Leinster medal. The subsequent All-Ireland semi-final resulted in a loss for his side. The following year he added a sixth Leinster medal to his collection, however, the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final produced one of the biggest hurling shocks of all-time. Antrim
Antrim GAA
The Antrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Antrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Antrim. The county board is also responsible for the Antrim inter-county teams...
came from nowhere to defeat the men from the Faithful County on a score line of 4-15 to 1-15. The significance of Antrim's victory was not lost on the Offaly team, who provided a guard of honour for the Ulstermen as they left the field. Fogarty was later presented with a second All-Star award.
In 1990 Fogarty won a seventh Leinster medal, however, defeat soon followed in the All-Ireland semi-final. 1991 began well as Offaly captured their first National League title; however, Fogarty played no part in that victory. He was recalled for the Leinster championship games against 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...
. It was his last game for Offaly as he retired immediately after the game.
Provincial
Fogarty has also lined out with LeinsterLeinster 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...
in the Railway Cup inter-provincial competition. He captured a winners’ medal in this as captain of the side in 1988 as Leinster defeated Connacht
Connacht GAA
The Connacht Council are a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Connacht.-Constituent counties:*Galway*Leitrim*Mayo*Roscommon*Sligo-Special counties:...
.Following this Paul Murphy (Lisdowney GAA) congratulated him by plugging his bum hole. Which they both enjoyed. Hi Paul :)
Post-playing career
In retirement from playing Fogarty has remained involved with the game of hurling. He moved to County KilkennyCounty Kilkenny
County Kilkenny is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Kilkenny. The territory of the county was the core part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraige which in turn was the core of the Diocese of...
in 1984 and turned his hand to club coaching. He guided the Kilkenny club O'Loughlin Gaels
O'Loughlin Gaels GAA
O'Loughlin Gaels is a Gaelic Athletic Association club situated in the St. John’s parish of Kilkenny city, County Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1969, replacing the St. John’s Hurling Club that started back in 1887....
to their first county title in 2001.