Declan Fanning
Encyclopedia
Declan Fanning is an Irish
sportsperson. He plays hurling
with his local club Killenaule
and also with the Tipperary
senior inter-county team until 2010. He plays in the full-back position.
with his local Killenaule
side, however, he has yet to win a senior county title
.
minor hurling team in the late 1990s. He won a Munster
title in this grade in 1997, however, Tipp were defeated in the later stages of the All-Ireland championship. Fanning later joined the Tipperary under-21 side, however, he had little success at this level. In 2003 Fanning was a dual player
with his native county. That year he lined out with the Tipperary senior football
ers in their qualifier game against Donegal
. Fanning made his competitive senior hurling debut as a substitute in a National Hurling League
game against Wexford
in 2004. He made his championship debut against Limerick
later that same year, however, Tipp's championship hopes ended in defeat. In 2005 Fanning lined out in his first Munster final, however, provincial rivals Cork were victorious on that occasion. Tipp were later defeated in the All-Ireland quarter-final. In 2006 Fanning's side took on Cork in the Munster final yet again, however, Cork won the game once again. Tipp were later defeated in the All-Ireland quarter-final once again. Tipp began their 2007 championship campaign with an epic series of three games against Limerick. Fanning's side lost the second replay, however, Tipp later came through the qualifiers only to be defeated in a third consecutive All-Irelad quarter-final. In spite of a lack of championship success Fanning was presented with his first All-Star
award.
In September 2009, Fanning was nominated for the 2009 All Star Team
.
On 5 September 2010, Fanning started at right half-back as Tipperary won their 26th All Ireland title
, beating reigning champions Killkenny
by 4-17 to 1-18 in the final
, preventing Kilkenny from achieving an historic 5-in-a-row, it was Fanning's first All-Ireland winners medal.
On 1 November 2010, Fanning announced his retirement from inter-county hurling. 'Having had the great honour of winning an All Ireland senior hurling medal with Tipperary this year, I have decided to call time on my inter-county hurling career, I am very grateful to Liam Sheedy and his management and backroom team for all the encouragement and support they gave me. I want to thank all the players, We worked hard together but we also had great fun and I shall miss training and hurling with them.' he said in a statement.
in the Railway Cup inter-provincial competition. He captured a winners medal in this competition in 2007 as Munster defeated Connacht
in the final.
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 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 Killenaule
Killenaule GAA
Killenaule GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club is located in south County Tipperary, Ireland. The club participates in hurling and Gaelic football competitions organized by Tipperary GAA.-Notable players:* Tom Ryan* Donie O'Connell* Paul Shelley...
and also with the 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...
senior inter-county team until 2010. He plays in the full-back position.
Club
Fanning plays 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 Killenaule
Killenaule GAA
Killenaule GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club is located in south County Tipperary, Ireland. The club participates in hurling and Gaelic football competitions organized by Tipperary GAA.-Notable players:* Tom Ryan* Donie O'Connell* Paul Shelley...
side, however, he has yet to win a senior county title
Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship
The Tipperary Senior Hurling Club Championship is an annual club competition between the top Tipperary hurling clubs...
.
Inter-county
Fanning first came to promience on the inter-county scene as a member of the TipperaryTipperary 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...
minor hurling team in the late 1990s. He won a 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...
title in this grade in 1997, however, Tipp were defeated in the later stages of the All-Ireland championship. Fanning later joined the Tipperary under-21 side, however, he had little success at this level. In 2003 Fanning was a dual player
Dual player
Dual player or dual star is a term used in Gaelic games to describe a player who plays both Men's Gaelic football and Hurling or Ladies' Gaelic football and Camogie. The player doesn't necessarily have to play at the same standard in both sports...
with his native county. That year he lined out with the Tipperary senior football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
ers in their qualifier game against Donegal
Donegal GAA
The Donegal County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Donegal GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Donegal. The county board is also responsible for the Donegal inter-county teams.Gaelic football is strongest in the...
. Fanning made his competitive senior hurling debut as a substitute in a 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...
game against 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...
in 2004. He made his championship debut against 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...
later that same year, however, Tipp's championship hopes ended in defeat. In 2005 Fanning lined out in his first Munster final, however, provincial rivals Cork were victorious on that occasion. Tipp were later defeated in the All-Ireland quarter-final. In 2006 Fanning's side took on Cork in the Munster final yet again, however, Cork won the game once again. Tipp were later defeated in the All-Ireland quarter-final once again. Tipp began their 2007 championship campaign with an epic series of three games against Limerick. Fanning's side lost the second replay, however, Tipp later came through the qualifiers only to be defeated in a third consecutive All-Irelad quarter-final. In spite of a lack of championship success Fanning was 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.
In September 2009, Fanning was nominated for the 2009 All Star Team
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...
.
On 5 September 2010, Fanning started at right half-back as Tipperary won their 26th All Ireland title
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....
, beating reigning champions Killkenny
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...
by 4-17 to 1-18 in the final
2010 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final
The 2010 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final was the 113th All-Ireland Final and the culmination of the 2010 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, an inter-county hurling tournament for the top teams in Ireland. The match was held at Croke Park, Dublin, on 5 September 2010 and was a...
, preventing Kilkenny from achieving an historic 5-in-a-row, it was Fanning's first All-Ireland winners medal.
On 1 November 2010, Fanning announced his retirement from inter-county hurling. 'Having had the great honour of winning an All Ireland senior hurling medal with Tipperary this year, I have decided to call time on my inter-county hurling career, I am very grateful to Liam Sheedy and his management and backroom team for all the encouragement and support they gave me. I want to thank all the players, We worked hard together but we also had great fun and I shall miss training and hurling with them.' he said in a statement.
Provincial
Fanning 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 2007 as Munster 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:...
in the final.
Honours
- 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): 2010
- Runner-up (1): 2009
- 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 (2): 2008, 2009
- 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 (1): 2008