Denis Grimes
Encyclopedia
Denis Grimes was a famous Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Kilfinane and with the Limerick
senior inter-county team in the 1890s. Grimes captained Limerick to their first All-Ireland
title in 1897.
, County Limerick
on 7 August 1864. The son of John and Mary (née Casey), he received a limited education at the local national school. In a time when opportunities were few, Grimes later worked as a labourer and, like many of his fellow countrymen, he was forced to emigrate. Grimes moved to Wales
around the turn of the 20th century and worked in the coalmines. He never returned to Ireland.
Denis Grimes died in 1920.
with his local Kilfinane team and enjoyed some success. He won his first senior county title
in 1897 following a thrilling 4-9 to 4-8 victory over Cappamore. It is possible that Grimes captured a second county title two years later in 1899.
in the Munster and All-Ireland championships. Grimes, as well as the goalkeeper on the team, was also appointed captain for the year.
Limerick breezed through the provincial championship and reached the Munster final with Cork providing the opposition. The game itself produced a resounding 4-9 to 1-6 victory gor Limerick. It was Grimes’s first Munster
title. This victory allowed Limerick to advance directly to the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny
provided the opposition on that occasion as both sides were hoping to win the All-Ireland title for the first time. ‘The Cats’ got off to a great start and led by 2-4 to 1-1 at half-time. Limerick, however, powered on in the second-half and used their new technique of hooking. They got two quick goals early in the half and cored the winning goal from a free after 52 minutes. At the final whistle Limerick emerged victorious by 3-4 to 2-4. It was Grimes’s first All-Ireland
title. He later captained Limerick to victory over Kilkenny in the Croke Cup that same year.
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 Kilfinane and with 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 in the 1890s. Grimes captained Limerick to their 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....
title in 1897.
Biography
Denis Grimes was born in KilfinaneKilfinane
Kilfinane is a small market town ) County Limerick, Ireland. The Town's name comes from the Irish words "Cill" and "Fhíonáin" , making its meaning "Church of Saint Finian." Kilfinane is located approximately 40 km southeast of Limerick, and approximately 70 km north-northwest of Cork...
, County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
on 7 August 1864. The son of John and Mary (née Casey), he received a limited education at the local national school. In a time when opportunities were few, Grimes later worked as a labourer and, like many of his fellow countrymen, he was forced to emigrate. Grimes moved to Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
around the turn of the 20th century and worked in the coalmines. He never returned to Ireland.
Denis Grimes died in 1920.
Club
Grimes 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 Kilfinane team and enjoyed some success. He won his first 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...
in 1897 following a thrilling 4-9 to 4-8 victory over Cappamore. It is possible that Grimes captured a second county title two years later in 1899.
Inter-county
Kilfinane’s county championship victory allowed the club to represent 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...
in the Munster and All-Ireland championships. Grimes, as well as the goalkeeper on the team, was also appointed captain for the year.
Limerick breezed through the provincial championship and reached the Munster final with Cork providing the opposition. The game itself produced a resounding 4-9 to 1-6 victory gor Limerick. It was Grimes’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....
title. This victory allowed Limerick to advance directly to the All-Ireland final. 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 as both sides were hoping to win the All-Ireland title for the first time. ‘The Cats’ got off to a great start and led by 2-4 to 1-1 at half-time. Limerick, however, powered on in the second-half and used their new technique of hooking. They got two quick goals early in the half and cored the winning goal from a free after 52 minutes. At the final whistle Limerick emerged victorious by 3-4 to 2-4. It was Grimes’s 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....
title. He later captained Limerick to victory over Kilkenny in the Croke Cup that same year.