Dermot Mac Curtain
Encyclopedia
Dermot Mac Curtain is an Irish
retired sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Blackrock
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1977 until 1987.
. He collected a coveted county senior championship
winners' medal on that occasion following a remarkable 4-11 to 0-10 victory. Blackrock later represented Cork in the Munster
series of games and reached the final. Waterford's Mount Sion provided the opposition, however, Blackrock recorded a huge 8-12 to 3-8 win. It was Mac Curtain's first provincial club winners' medal. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Blackrock against James Stephens. Five points down at half-time, the Kilkenny club came storming back and defeated Mac Curatin's side by 2-10 to 2-4.
Even though Glen Rovers gained revenge in the county final of 1976, Blackrock bounced back in 1978. Once again it was 'the Glen' who stood in 'the Rockies' way, however, Mac Curtain added a second county championship medal to his collection following a huge 4-12 to 1-7 victory. Once again 'the Rockies' stormed through the provincial championship and defeated Newmarket-on-Fergus in the final by two goals, giving Mac Curtain a second Munster club medal. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Cork take on Kilkenny again. This time it was Blackrock versus Ballyhale Shamrocks
. Ray Cummins
scored two goals in rapid succession in the opening thirty minutes to put his club in the driving seat. At the full-time whistle Blackrock were the winners by 5-7 to 5-5. It was Mac Curtain's first All-Ireland
club winners' medal.
In 1979 Blackrock made it two county titles in-a-row after an eight-point defeat of St. Finbarr's
. In a similar sequence of events to previous years the club later defeated Dunhill
of Waterford to take the Munster club title. It was Mac Curtain's third provincial club medal. Blackrock's All-Ireland trail came to an end at the semi-final stage.
The next few seasons saw Blackrock go into decline. The club lost the 1982 county final to St. Finbarr's, however, three years later in 1985 Mac Curtain's side triumphed once again. A 1-14 to 1-8 victory gave him a fourth and final county title.
medal at minor level. In 1976 Mac Curtain had graduated onto the Cork under-21 team. That year he captured a Munster title at that level, before adding an All-Ireland
medal to his collection. He won a second Munster under-21 title in 1977.
In 1977 Mac Curtain made his debut with the Cork senior hurling team. That year he came on as a substitute to win his first senior Munster
title. This was later converted into his first senior All-Ireland
medal following a win over Wexford
in the final. In 1978 Mac Curtain repeated these victories with Cork by capturing his second Munster and All-Ireland titles. 1979 saw Mac Curtain win a third Munster medal, however, Cork were defeated by Galway
in the All-Ireland semi-final. In 1980 and 1981 Cork relinquished their Munster titles, however, Mac Curtain won back-to-back National Hurling League
medals with his native-county. In 1982 Cork were back and Mac Curtain won his fourth provincial medal. Unfortunately, his side were later defeated by Kilkenny
in the All-Ireland final. 1983 saw Mac Curtain win a fifth Munster medal, however, Kilkenny defeated Cork again in the All-Ireland final.
In 1984, the centenary year of the Gaelic Athletic Association
, Mac Curtain won a sixth Munster Championship medal following a thrilling game against Tipperary
. He later added a third All-Ireland medal to his collection following a defeat of Offaly
in a special All-Ireland final in Semple Stadium
. In 1985 another Munster title came Mac Curtain's way, however, Galway were victorious over Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final. In 1986 a fifth consecutive provincial medal brough Mac Curtain's overall tally up to eight. He missed the All-Ireland final win over Galway to injury. He returned in 1987 but Tipperary defeated Cork in the Munster final. Mac Curtain later retired from inter-county hurling.
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...
retired 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 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:...
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1977 until 1987.
Club
Mac Curatin was barely out of the minor ranks when he joined the Blackrock senior team in 1975. That year he lined out in his first county final as 'the Rockies' faced Glen RoversGlen Rovers GAA
Glen Rovers is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Ballyvolane and Blackpool areas of Cork city, Ireland. The club was founded in 1916 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-Colours:...
. He collected a coveted county senior championship
Cork Senior Hurling Championship
The Evening Echo Cork County Senior Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in the county of Cork in Ireland....
winners' medal on that occasion following a remarkable 4-11 to 0-10 victory. Blackrock later represented Cork in the Munster
Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 for the top hurling clubs in the province of Munster in Ireland...
series of games and reached the final. Waterford's Mount Sion provided the opposition, however, Blackrock recorded a huge 8-12 to 3-8 win. It was Mac Curtain's first provincial club winners' medal. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Blackrock against James Stephens. Five points down at half-time, the Kilkenny club came storming back and defeated Mac Curatin's side by 2-10 to 2-4.
Even though Glen Rovers gained revenge in the county final of 1976, Blackrock bounced back in 1978. Once again it was 'the Glen' who stood in 'the Rockies' way, however, Mac Curtain added a second county championship medal to his collection following a huge 4-12 to 1-7 victory. Once again 'the Rockies' stormed through the provincial championship and defeated Newmarket-on-Fergus in the final by two goals, giving Mac Curtain a second Munster club medal. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Cork take on Kilkenny again. This time it was Blackrock versus Ballyhale Shamrocks
Ballyhale Shamrocks GAA
Ballyhale Shamrocks is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the parish of Ballyhale in County Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1972 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling...
. Ray Cummins
Ray Cummins
Ray Cummins is a retired Irish sportsperson. A dual player at the highest levels, he played hurling with his local club Blackrock and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1969 until 1982. Cummins also played Gaelic football with his local club St...
scored two goals in rapid succession in the opening thirty minutes to put his club in the driving seat. At the full-time whistle Blackrock were the winners by 5-7 to 5-5. It was Mac Curtain's first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling tournament played between hundreds of senior hurling clubs in Ireland. The Tommy Moore Cup is awarded to the winners. The current champions are Clarinbridge...
club winners' medal.
In 1979 Blackrock made it two county titles in-a-row after an eight-point defeat of St. Finbarr's
St. Finbarr's GAA
St. Finbarr's National Hurling and Football Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Togher area of Cork city, County Cork, Ireland....
. In a similar sequence of events to previous years the club later defeated Dunhill
Dunhill GAA
Dunhill GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Dunhill, County Waterford, Ireland. The club enters teams in both GAA codes each year, which includes two adult hurling teams and one adult Gaelic football team in the Waterford County Championships....
of Waterford to take the Munster club title. It was Mac Curtain's third provincial club medal. Blackrock's All-Ireland trail came to an end at the semi-final stage.
The next few seasons saw Blackrock go into decline. The club lost the 1982 county final to St. Finbarr's, however, three years later in 1985 Mac Curtain's side triumphed once again. A 1-14 to 1-8 victory gave him a fourth and final county title.
Inter-county
By 1974 Mac Curtain was a key member of the Cork minor hurling team. That year he won a Munster medal at that level before winning a second in succession in 1975. That same year he won an All-IrelandAll-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...
medal at minor level. In 1976 Mac Curtain had graduated onto the Cork under-21 team. That year he captured a Munster title at that level, before adding an 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...
medal to his collection. He won a second Munster under-21 title in 1977.
In 1977 Mac Curtain made his debut with the Cork senior hurling team. That year he came on as a substitute to win his first senior 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 was later converted into his first senior 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 following a win over 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 the final. In 1978 Mac Curtain repeated these victories with Cork by capturing his second Munster and All-Ireland titles. 1979 saw Mac Curtain win a third Munster medal, however, Cork were defeated by 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,...
in the All-Ireland semi-final. In 1980 and 1981 Cork relinquished their Munster titles, however, Mac Curtain won back-to-back 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...
medals with his native-county. In 1982 Cork were back and Mac Curtain won his fourth provincial medal. Unfortunately, his side were later defeated by 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 All-Ireland final. 1983 saw Mac Curtain win a fifth Munster medal, however, Kilkenny defeated Cork again in the All-Ireland final.
In 1984, the centenary year of the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
, Mac Curtain won a sixth Munster Championship medal following a thrilling game against 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...
. He later added a third All-Ireland medal to his collection following a defeat of Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
in a special All-Ireland final in Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium, located in Thurles, North Tipperary, Ireland, is the home of hurling for Tipperary GAA and for the province of Munster. It is the second largest stadium in Ireland with a capacity of 53,500....
. In 1985 another Munster title came Mac Curtain's way, however, Galway were victorious over Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final. In 1986 a fifth consecutive provincial medal brough Mac Curtain's overall tally up to eight. He missed the All-Ireland final win over Galway to injury. He returned in 1987 but Tipperary defeated Cork in the Munster final. Mac Curtain later retired from inter-county hurling.