Batt Thornhill
Encyclopedia
Batt Thornhill was an Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Buttevant and with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1939 until 1944.
title following a 4-3 to 3-4 victory over Limerick
. Thornhill later lined out in the subsequent All-Ireland final, one of the most memorable championship deciders of all-time. Kilkenny
provided the opposition on that occasion in a game that was played during a fierce thunder storm. World War II
was erupting all across Europe as Terry Leahy
whipped over the winning point for Kilkenny, who won the game by 2-7 to 3-3.
Cork bounced back after this defeat in 1940, with Thornhill collecting his first National Hurling League
medal. Cork, however, were later eliminated from the championship following two classic games against Limerick in a replayed Munster final.
1941 saw Thornhill capture a second consecutive National League title. The subsequent Munster and All-Ireland championships were severely hampered due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Tipperary and parts of Leinster. As a result of this Tipperary
and Kilkenny, the two counties that were affected the most, were not allowed to participate. It was decided that Cork, after defeated Limerick, would represent Munster in the All-Ireland final. The game against Dublin
turned into a rout thanks to contributing goals from Johnny Quirke
and Ted O'Sullivan. At the full-time whistel Cork had won by 5-11 to 0-6. It was one of the most one-sided championship deciders of all-time. This victory gave Thornhill his first All-Ireland
medal at senior level. In the delayed Munster final in October, however, Tipperary defeated Cork.
In 1942 Cork were still on form with Thornhill collecting a second MUnster title following a defeat of Tipperary. He subsequently lined out in a third All-Ireland final. Dublin provided the opposition for the second year in-a-row and the opening half turned out to be a close affair. Johnny Quirke gave Cork a comfortable half-time lead thanks to a goal, however, in the second-half Cork went on the rampage. At the final whistle Cork wer ethe champions by 2-14 to 3-4 and Thornhill collected a second All-Ireland medal.
A defeat of Waterford
allowed Thornhill add a third Munster title to his collection in 1943 before later contesting a third successive All-Ireland final with Cork. Antrim
, having already pulled off two of the biggest shocks in hurling by defeating Galway
and Kilkenny, were ‘the Rebel’ opponents. The game, however, turned into an absolute rout. At half-time Cork led by 3-11 to 0-2, howvever, by full-time they had forged ahead to capture a 5-16 to 0-4 victory. It was Thornhill's third consecutive All-Ireland medal.
In 1944 Cork faced Limerick in the Munster final. The game ended in a draw and had to be replayed; however, as full-time approached the possibility of another draw seemed likely. With just minutes remaining Christy Ring
caught the sliothar in his own half-back line, soloed past a succession of challenges and, from forty yards out, hammered a shot into the Limerick net. Cork went on to win the game by a goal and Thornhill captured a fourth Munster title. Once again Cork went on to face Dublin in the All-Ireland final and, like the previous three years, the Munstermen had an easy win. Dublin could only manage to score 1-2 compared to Cork's 2-13, resulting in Cork taking the title. With that Cork set a record of four consecutive championship victories that has yet to be beaten.
Cork lost their provincial crown in 1945 and Thornhill decided to retire from inter-county hurling.
in the inter-provincial hurling championship. He played with his province for three consecutive years in 1942, 1943 and 1944. On all three occasions Munster were successful in capturing the Railway Cup with two victories over Leinster
and a third over Connacht
respectively.
Thornhill's son Bobby guided Blackrock
to their first county minor championship
in 1994, their first and currently their only win since 1974. Following this Thornhill was awarded with a position as Cork minor hurling selector, a position which he filled for two separate terms (1994–1998, 2002–2004). While part of the Cork minor set up, the won the Munster
and All-Ireland
titles in 1998. In his second term as Cork minor selector, the minor team went on to win the Munster hurling championship in 2005 and 2006. A number of this team has also gone on to represent the county senior team.
Currently, Bobby Thornhill is training the Ballygarvan
intermediate hurlers and the Cork intermediate and minor camogie
teams.
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 Buttevant and with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1939 until 1944.
Club
Thornhill played his club hurling with his local club in Buttevant. He enjoyed little in the way of major success on the hurling field with the club.Inter-county
Thornhill first came to prominence on the inter-county scene in the 1930s. It wasn't until 1939, however, that he enjoyed some success, beginning with his first MunsterMunster 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....
title following a 4-3 to 3-4 victory over 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...
. Thornhill later lined out in the subsequent All-Ireland final, one of the most memorable championship deciders of all-time. 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...
provided the opposition on that occasion in a game that was played during a fierce thunder storm. World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
was erupting all across Europe as Terry Leahy
Terry Leahy
Sir Terry Leahy is a former CEO of Tesco, the largest British supermarket chain.He lives in Cuffley, Hertfordshire, with his wife, Alison and his three children.- Early life :...
whipped over the winning point for Kilkenny, who won the game by 2-7 to 3-3.
Cork bounced back after this defeat in 1940, with Thornhill collecting 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...
medal. Cork, however, were later eliminated from the championship following two classic games against Limerick in a replayed Munster final.
1941 saw Thornhill capture a second consecutive National League title. The subsequent Munster and All-Ireland championships were severely hampered due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Tipperary and parts of Leinster. As a result of this 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...
and Kilkenny, the two counties that were affected the most, were not allowed to participate. It was decided that Cork, after defeated Limerick, would represent Munster in the All-Ireland final. The game 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...
turned into a rout thanks to contributing goals from Johnny Quirke
Johnny Quirke
Johnny Quirke was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Blackrock and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1932 until 1946...
and Ted O'Sullivan. At the full-time whistel Cork had won by 5-11 to 0-6. It was one of the most one-sided championship deciders of all-time. This victory gave Thornhill 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 at senior level. In the delayed Munster final in October, however, Tipperary defeated Cork.
In 1942 Cork were still on form with Thornhill collecting a second MUnster title following a defeat of Tipperary. He subsequently lined out in a third All-Ireland final. Dublin provided the opposition for the second year in-a-row and the opening half turned out to be a close affair. Johnny Quirke gave Cork a comfortable half-time lead thanks to a goal, however, in the second-half Cork went on the rampage. At the final whistle Cork wer ethe champions by 2-14 to 3-4 and Thornhill collected a second All-Ireland medal.
A defeat of 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...
allowed Thornhill add a third Munster title to his collection in 1943 before later contesting a third successive All-Ireland final with Cork. 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...
, having already pulled off two of the biggest shocks in hurling by defeating 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,...
and Kilkenny, were ‘the Rebel’ opponents. The game, however, turned into an absolute rout. At half-time Cork led by 3-11 to 0-2, howvever, by full-time they had forged ahead to capture a 5-16 to 0-4 victory. It was Thornhill's third consecutive All-Ireland medal.
In 1944 Cork faced Limerick in the Munster final. The game ended in a draw and had to be replayed; however, as full-time approached the possibility of another draw seemed likely. With just minutes remaining Christy Ring
Christy Ring
Nicholas Christopher Michael Ring , better known as Christy Ring, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the Glen Rovers club from 1941 until 1967 and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1939 until 1963. Ring is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in...
caught the sliothar in his own half-back line, soloed past a succession of challenges and, from forty yards out, hammered a shot into the Limerick net. Cork went on to win the game by a goal and Thornhill captured a fourth Munster title. Once again Cork went on to face Dublin in the All-Ireland final and, like the previous three years, the Munstermen had an easy win. Dublin could only manage to score 1-2 compared to Cork's 2-13, resulting in Cork taking the title. With that Cork set a record of four consecutive championship victories that has yet to be beaten.
Cork lost their provincial crown in 1945 and Thornhill decided to retire from inter-county hurling.
Provincial
Thornhill also lined out with MunsterMunster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
in the inter-provincial hurling championship. He played with his province for three consecutive years in 1942, 1943 and 1944. On all three occasions Munster were successful in capturing the Railway Cup with two victories over 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 a third over 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:...
respectively.
Post-playing career
In retirement from playing Thornhill dedicated his time to the running of the Buttevant GAA club. The current Buttevant GAA grounds was purchased by Thornhill and a member of the clergy and trusted to the board of the GAA club. Thornhill donated his four All-Ireland medals to the local church to be melted down after a call from the local Catholic Church who required gold for the creation of a processional cross. His house and barber shop are still a focal point in the town of Buttevant.Thornhill's son Bobby guided Blackrock
Blackrock GAA
Blackrock National Hurling Club is a G.A.A. club located on the southside of Cork City, Ireland. The club was founded in 1883 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-History:...
to their first county minor championship
Cork Minor Hurling Championship
The Cork Minor Hurling Championship is a hurling competition for Gaelic Athletic Association players under the age of 18 in County Cork, Ireland. This competition is also known as the Cork Premier Minor Hurling Championship since 1992. It is played on a countywide basis. Prior to 1992, all teams...
in 1994, their first and currently their only win since 1974. Following this Thornhill was awarded with a position as Cork minor hurling selector, a position which he filled for two separate terms (1994–1998, 2002–2004). While part of the Cork minor set up, the won the Munster
Munster Minor Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Minor Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for the youngest competitors in the province of Munster in Ireland...
and 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...
titles in 1998. In his second term as Cork minor selector, the minor team went on to win the Munster hurling championship in 2005 and 2006. A number of this team has also gone on to represent the county senior team.
Currently, Bobby Thornhill is training the Ballygarvan
Ballygarvan GAA
Ballygarvan GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the village of Ballygarvan in south County Cork, Ireland. The club participates in Cork GAA competitions and in Carrigdhoun divisional competitions.-History:...
intermediate hurlers and the Cork intermediate and minor camogie
Camogie
Camogie is an Irish stick-and-ball team sport played by women; it is almost identical to the game of hurling played by men. Camogie is played by 100,000 women in Ireland and world wide, largely among Irish communities....
teams.
Cork
- 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 (4): 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944
- Runner-up (1): 1939
- Munster Senior Hurling ChampionshipMunster Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe 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....
:- Winner (4): 1939, 1942, 1943, 1944,
- Runner-up (1): 1940
- 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): 1940, 1941