Damien Reale
Encyclopedia
Damien Reale is an Irish
sportsperson. He plays hurling
with his local club Hospital-Herbertstown
and has been a member of the Limerick
senior inter-county team since 2001.
club and has enjoyed some success, however, he has yet to win a senior county title
.
under-21 team in the early part of the new century. In 2000 Limerick began an unprecedented run of success at under-21 level. Reale collected a Munster
title in this grade that year following a 4-18 to 1-6 trouncing of Cork. Limerick later qualified for the All-Ireland final with Galway
providing the opposition. Limerick's clean sheet in that game proved the difference as Reale's side won by 1-13 to 0-13. It was his first All-Ireland
winners' medal in that grade.
In 2001 Limerick retained their provincial title with the captain adding a second Munster title to his collection. Once again Limerick reached the All-Ireland final where Wexford
were the opponents. In spite of leaving in two goals Limerick emerged victorious by 0-17 to 2-10. It was Reale's second All-Ireland under-21 medal.
2002 saw Limerick reach the provincial decider once again. After an exciting contest with Tipperary
, which included extra-time, saw Reale's side winning by 1-20 to 2-14. It was his third consecutive Munster under-21 winners' medal. For the third year in-a-row Limerick lined out in the All-Ireland final with Galway providing the opposition once again. Limerick kept a clean sheet once again as Reale's side powered to a 3-17 to 0-8 victory. It was his third consecutive All-Ireland under-21 winners' medal.
in 2001 Limerick failed to win a game in the province until their 2007 Munster semi-final victory over Tipperary
. This was achieved following a three-game saga, however, Reale's side later lost the Munster final to Waterford
. Although Limerick lost on that occasion the team showed that they were not a pushover. Limerick later gained their revenge on Waterford by defeating them in the All-Ireland semi-final. This victory allowed Reale's side to play Kilkenny
in the championship decider. Unfortunately, Limerick got off to a bad start and conceded two goals in the first ten minutes. 'The Cats', however, went on to win the game by six points.
In November 2009, Reale announced his retirement from inter-county hurling, in protest over changes made in the Limerick hurling panel by team manager Justin McCarthy
. After the resignation of McCarthy Reale returned to the hurling panel.
in the Railway Cup inter-provincial competition. He captured a winners medal in this competition in 2001 as Munster defeated Leinster
.
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 plays 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 Hospital-Herbertstown
Hospital-Herbertstown GAA
Hospital-Herbertstown is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in County Limerick and is based in the South Division.Hospital-Herbertstown will compete in the County Senior Hurling Championship in 2011 following the club's victory in the 2010 County Intermediate Hurling Championship. The club competes...
and has been a member of the 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...
senior inter-county team since 2001.
Club
Reale plays his club hurling with his local Hospital-HerbertstownHospital-Herbertstown GAA
Hospital-Herbertstown is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in County Limerick and is based in the South Division.Hospital-Herbertstown will compete in the County Senior Hurling Championship in 2011 following the club's victory in the 2010 County Intermediate Hurling Championship. The club competes...
club and has enjoyed some success, however, he has yet to win a senior county title
Limerick Senior Hurling Championship
The Limerick Senior Hurling Championship is an annual club competition between the top Limerick Clubs. The winners of the Limerick Championship qualify to represent their county in the Munster Club Championship and in turn, go on to the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship...
.
Under-21
Reale first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the LimerickLimerick 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...
under-21 team in the early part of the new century. In 2000 Limerick began an unprecedented run of success at under-21 level. Reale collected a Munster
Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Under-21 Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 for players aged between 18 and 21 in the province of Munster in Ireland...
title in this grade that year following a 4-18 to 1-6 trouncing of Cork. Limerick later qualified for the All-Ireland final with 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,...
providing the opposition. Limerick's clean sheet in that game proved the difference as Reale's side won by 1-13 to 0-13. It was his first 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...
winners' medal in that grade.
In 2001 Limerick retained their provincial title with the captain adding a second Munster title to his collection. Once again Limerick reached the All-Ireland final where 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...
were the opponents. In spite of leaving in two goals Limerick emerged victorious by 0-17 to 2-10. It was Reale's second All-Ireland under-21 medal.
2002 saw Limerick reach the provincial decider once again. After an exciting contest with 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...
, which included extra-time, saw Reale's side winning by 1-20 to 2-14. It was his third consecutive Munster under-21 winners' medal. For the third year in-a-row Limerick lined out in the All-Ireland final with Galway providing the opposition once again. Limerick kept a clean sheet once again as Reale's side powered to a 3-17 to 0-8 victory. It was his third consecutive All-Ireland under-21 winners' medal.
Senior
By this stage Reale was a member of the county senior team, however, Limerick's hurling fortunes were about to take a dramatic downturn. Following the county's victory over Cork in the Munster ChampionshipMunster 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....
in 2001 Limerick failed to win a game in the province until their 2007 Munster semi-final victory over 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...
. This was achieved following a three-game saga, however, Reale's side later lost the Munster final to 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...
. Although Limerick lost on that occasion the team showed that they were not a pushover. Limerick later gained their revenge on Waterford by defeating them in the All-Ireland semi-final. This victory allowed Reale's side to play 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. Unfortunately, Limerick got off to a bad start and conceded two goals in the first ten minutes. 'The Cats', however, went on to win the game by six points.
In November 2009, Reale announced his retirement from inter-county hurling, in protest over changes made in the Limerick hurling panel by team manager Justin McCarthy
Justin McCarthy (hurler)
Justin McCarthy is an Irish former hurling manager and former player, who took over as manager of the Limerick senior inter-county team in October 2008. He played hurling with his local club Passage and with the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1960s and 1970s.As a player McCarthy was involved...
. After the resignation of McCarthy Reale returned to the hurling panel.
Provincial
Reale has 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 Railway Cup inter-provincial competition. He captured a winners medal in this competition in 2001 as Munster defeated 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...
.