Christy Moylan
Encyclopedia
Christy Moylan was an Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Dungarvan
and with the Waterford
senior inter-county team from 1935 until 1949.
with his local club in Dungarvan
and enjoyed some success. He won a senior county title with the club in 1941. This was Dungarvan’s last victory in the county championship.
in the1930s. He made his senior debut with the team in 1935, however, Waterford were regarded as the ‘sick men’ of Munster hurling because the team had never won a provincial title.
All this changed in 1938 when Moylan lined out in his first Munster final. Surprisingly, the game saw Clare
providing the opposition. In a close game Waterford emerged as the victors on a score line of 3-5 to 2-5. Not only was it Moylan’s first Munster
medal but it was also the first time that Waterford had won the provincial title. Waterford later accounted for Galway
allowing Moylan’s side to advance to their first-ever All-Ireland final. Dublin
provided the opposition on that occasion and the game turned out to be a good one. Declan Goode scored a goal for the Decies after just six minutes, however, Dublin fought back with goals of their won. Eventually, victory went to ‘the Dubs’ on a score line of 2-5 to 1-6.
Waterford went into decline following this defeat. A two-point loss to Cork in the Munster final of 1943 was the only high point for Moylan.
In 1948, then years after their first provincial title, Waterford were back in the Munster final. Cork, the outstanding team of the decade, provided the opposition on that occasion and another exciting game followed. Waterford emerged victorious on a score line of 4-7 to 3-9 giving Moylan his second Munster medal. Galway fell again in the penultimate game of the championship, allowing Waterford to advance to the All-Ireland final. Just like ten years previous Dublin provided the opposition. Once again Waterford got off to a good start and led by nine points at half-time. Four goals followed in the second-half courtesy of John Keane
, Willie Galvin, Eddie Daly and Moylan. Waterford won on a score line of 6-7 to 4-2 giving Moylan his first All-Ireland
medal.
Moylan continued playing in 1949, however, Waterford surrendered their provincial and All-Ireland crowns at the first hurdle. Moylan retired from inter-county hurling following this defeat.
in the inter-provincial hurling competition and enjoyed much success. He first lined out for his province in 1937 and captured his first Railway Cup medal in 1937. It was the first of four inter-provincial titles in-a-row. Moylan won his fifth and final Railway Cup medal in 1942.
award. Past winners of the award included Mick Mackey
, Jack Lynch
and Jim Langton
.
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 Dungarvan
Dungarvan GAA
Dungarvan GAA is a GAA club based in Dungarvan, County Waterford, Republic of Ireland. The club participates in both hurling and gaelic football...
and with the 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...
senior inter-county team from 1935 until 1949.
Club
Moylan 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 his local club in Dungarvan
Dungarvan GAA
Dungarvan GAA is a GAA club based in Dungarvan, County Waterford, Republic of Ireland. The club participates in both hurling and gaelic football...
and enjoyed some success. He won a senior county title with the club in 1941. This was Dungarvan’s last victory in the county championship.
Inter-county
Moylan first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with WaterfordWaterford 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 the1930s. He made his senior debut with the team in 1935, however, Waterford were regarded as the ‘sick men’ of Munster hurling because the team had never won a provincial title.
All this changed in 1938 when Moylan lined out in his first Munster final. Surprisingly, the game saw Clare
Clare GAA
The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Clare. The county board is also responsible for the Clare inter-county teams....
providing the opposition. In a close game Waterford emerged as the victors on a score line of 3-5 to 2-5. Not only was it Moylan’s first 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 but it was also the first time that Waterford had won the provincial title. Waterford later accounted for 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,...
allowing Moylan’s side to advance to their first-ever All-Ireland final. 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...
provided the opposition on that occasion and the game turned out to be a good one. Declan Goode scored a goal for the Decies after just six minutes, however, Dublin fought back with goals of their won. Eventually, victory went to ‘the Dubs’ on a score line of 2-5 to 1-6.
Waterford went into decline following this defeat. A two-point loss to Cork in the Munster final of 1943 was the only high point for Moylan.
In 1948, then years after their first provincial title, Waterford were back in the Munster final. Cork, the outstanding team of the decade, provided the opposition on that occasion and another exciting game followed. Waterford emerged victorious on a score line of 4-7 to 3-9 giving Moylan his second Munster medal. Galway fell again in the penultimate game of the championship, allowing Waterford to advance to the All-Ireland final. Just like ten years previous Dublin provided the opposition. Once again Waterford got off to a good start and led by nine points at half-time. Four goals followed in the second-half courtesy of John Keane
John Keane (hurler)
John Keane was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Mount Sion and with the Waterford senior inter-county team in the 1930s and 1940s...
, Willie Galvin, Eddie Daly and Moylan. Waterford won on a score line of 6-7 to 4-2 giving Moylan 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.
Moylan continued playing in 1949, however, Waterford surrendered their provincial and All-Ireland crowns at the first hurdle. Moylan retired from inter-county hurling following this defeat.
Provincial
Moylan 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 competition and enjoyed much success. He first lined out for his province in 1937 and captured his first Railway Cup medal in 1937. It was the first of four inter-provincial titles in-a-row. Moylan won his fifth and final Railway Cup medal in 1942.
Post-playing career
In retirement from playing Moylan maintained a keen interest in the game as he came to be regarded as one of the great players of his generation. Long after his playing days were over his brilliance as a player was recognised when he was the recipient of the prestigious GAA All-Time All-StarGAA All-Time All-Star Award (Hurling)
The GAA All-Time All-Star Award in Hurling was an award given on an annual basis to a sportsperson who had made a long-running and considerable contribution to the sport of hurling in Ireland...
award. Past winners of the award included Mick Mackey
Mick Mackey
Michael ‘Mick’ Mackey was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the famous Ahane club from 1930 until 1948 and was a member of the Limerick senior inter-county team from 1930 until 1947. Mackey is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in the history of the game...
, Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch
John Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
and Jim Langton
Jim Langton
Jim Langton was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Éire Óg and with the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1939 until 1954. Langton's inclusion on the GAA Hurling Team of the Millennium mark him out as one of the greatest players of all-time.-Club:Langton played his...
.