Dick O'Hara
Encyclopedia
Dick O’Hara is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Thomastown and was a member of the Kilkenny
senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s. He is regarded as one of Kilkenny’s greatest-ever players.
and Gaelic football
with his local Thomastown club. After much success at various juvenile levels he became a key member of the club's minor team in both codes. In 1973 he won the first of three consecutive minor county football titles. He also added a minor county hurling title to his collection in 1975. O'Hara later enjoyed much more success with the club's senior football team. He won four county football titles in 1981, 1983, 1984 and 1985. O'Hara also won a county intermediate hurling title in 1983.
minor hurling in the mid-1970s. In 1973 he won his first Leinster minor title before subsequently claiming an All-Ireland
medal following a victory over Galway
. O’Hara won a second Leinster minor medal in 1974, however, Kilkenny lost out in the championship decider to Cork. A third Leinster minor title came O’Hara’s way in 1975, and he later converted this into a second All-Ireland medal. O’Hara quickly joined the Kilkenny under-21 team where he won both Leinster and All-Ireland
honours in 1975. He won a second Leinster under-21 title in 1976, however, his side were defeated by Cork in the All-Ireland final. O’Hara’s great run of success continued in 1977 when he won a second set pf provincial and All-Ireland honours at under-21 level.
providing the opposition. The game developed into a close affair; however, victory went to ‘the Cats’ by 2-16 to 1-16. It was O'Hara's first Leinster
title. Following a subsequent victory over Galway
in the All-Ireland semi-final Kilkenny faced arch-rivals Cork in the All-Ireland championship decider. Much was at stake as Cork were aiming to capture a third All-Ireland victory in-a-row and nothing would give Kilkenny greater pleasure than stopping them. Both sides remained neck and neck for much of the game, however, Cork gradually grinded down the opposition. Cork’s Jimmy Barry-Murphy
scored the winning goal for Cork with thirteen minutes left in the game.
The All-Ireland defeat saw a reshuffle of the team take place. O'Hara subsequently missed Kilkenny's Leinster final win of 1979, however, he returned in time for the All-Ireland final with Galway. The game, however, turned out to be one of the least exciting finals of the decade. A goal by Noel Lane
after forty-seven minutes gave Galway a two-point lead; however, the men from the west failed to score for the rest of the game. Kilkenny, on the other hand, scored two long-range goals to secure a 2-12 to 1-8 victory. It was O'Hara's first All-Ireland
winners' medal.
The early years of the new decade were unhappy ones for O'Hara as Offaly
emerged as a new force in Leinster, winning back-to-back provincial titles in both 1980 and 1981.
By 1982 Kilkenny were back and O'Hara began the year by collecing a National Hurling League
title before lining out in the Leinster final. Offaly, the reigning provincial and All-Ireland champions were the opponents on that occasion and an interesting game developed. After a close seventy minutes of hurling Kilkenny emerged victorious by just two points, giving O'Hara a second Leinster winners’ medal. He subsequently lined out in Croke Park
in the All-Ireland championship decider against Cork. Christy Heffernan
was the hero of the day as he scored two goals in a forty second spell just before half-time. Ger Fennelly
captured a third goal in the second-half as Kilkenny completely trounced ‘the Rebels’ by 3-18 to 1-15. This victory gave O'Hara his second All-Ireland medal.
In 1983 O'Hara captured a second consecutive National League title before later playing in the Leinster final against Offaly. It was their second consecutive meeting in the provincial decider, however, on this occasion the victory was more comprehensive. A 1-17 to 0-13 win gave Cody his fourth and final Leinster medal. For the second year in-a-row ‘the Cats’ squared up to Cork in the All-Ireland final. Once again Kilkenny dominated the game, assisted by a strong wind in the first-half, and hung on in the face of a great fight-back by Cork. At the full-time whistle Kilkenny emerged victorious by 2-14 to 2-12. It was O'Hara's third and final All-Ireland medal. His performances throughout the entire championship also earned him his sole All-Star
award.
Kilkenny’s fortunes took a downturn following this victory as Offaly won the next two Leinster titles. O’Hara retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.
in the inter-provincial hurling championship. He played in the Railway Cup final of 1978, however, arch-rivals Munster
were the winners of that occasion.
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 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 Thomastown and was a member of the 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...
senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s. He is regarded as one of Kilkenny’s greatest-ever players.
Club
O’Hara 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...
and Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
with his local Thomastown club. After much success at various juvenile levels he became a key member of the club's minor team in both codes. In 1973 he won the first of three consecutive minor county football titles. He also added a minor county hurling title to his collection in 1975. O'Hara later enjoyed much more success with the club's senior football team. He won four county football titles in 1981, 1983, 1984 and 1985. O'Hara also won a county intermediate hurling title in 1983.
Minor & under-21
O’Hara first came to prominence as a member of the KilkennyKilkenny 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...
minor hurling in the mid-1970s. In 1973 he won his first Leinster minor title before subsequently claiming an All-Ireland
All-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 following a victory over 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,...
. O’Hara won a second Leinster minor medal in 1974, however, Kilkenny lost out in the championship decider to Cork. A third Leinster minor title came O’Hara’s way in 1975, and he later converted this into a second All-Ireland medal. O’Hara quickly joined the Kilkenny under-21 team where he won both Leinster and 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...
honours in 1975. He won a second Leinster under-21 title in 1976, however, his side were defeated by Cork in the All-Ireland final. O’Hara’s great run of success continued in 1977 when he won a second set pf provincial and All-Ireland honours at under-21 level.
Senior
By 1978 O'Hara was a member of the Kilkenny senior team. He lined out in his first Leinster final that year with WexfordWexford 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...
providing the opposition. The game developed into a close affair; however, victory went to ‘the Cats’ by 2-16 to 1-16. It was O'Hara's first Leinster
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
The Leinster 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 Leinster in Ireland....
title. Following a subsequent victory over 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 Kilkenny faced arch-rivals Cork in the All-Ireland championship decider. Much was at stake as Cork were aiming to capture a third All-Ireland victory in-a-row and nothing would give Kilkenny greater pleasure than stopping them. Both sides remained neck and neck for much of the game, however, Cork gradually grinded down the opposition. Cork’s Jimmy Barry-Murphy
Jimmy Barry-Murphy
James "Jimmy" Barry-Murphy is a former Irish hurler, Gaelic footballer and association footballer and is the current manager of the Cork senior hurling team...
scored the winning goal for Cork with thirteen minutes left in the game.
The All-Ireland defeat saw a reshuffle of the team take place. O'Hara subsequently missed Kilkenny's Leinster final win of 1979, however, he returned in time for the All-Ireland final with Galway. The game, however, turned out to be one of the least exciting finals of the decade. A goal by Noel Lane
Noel Lane
Noel Lane is a retired Irish hurling manager and former player. He played hurling with his local club Ballinderreen and with the Galway senior inter-county team from 1977 until 1990. Lane served as manager of the Galway senior inter-county team from 2000 until 2002...
after forty-seven minutes gave Galway a two-point lead; however, the men from the west failed to score for the rest of the game. Kilkenny, on the other hand, scored two long-range goals to secure a 2-12 to 1-8 victory. It was O'Hara'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....
winners' medal.
The early years of the new decade were unhappy ones for O'Hara as 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...
emerged as a new force in Leinster, winning back-to-back provincial titles in both 1980 and 1981.
By 1982 Kilkenny were back and O'Hara began the year by collecing 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...
title before lining out in the Leinster final. Offaly, the reigning provincial and All-Ireland champions were the opponents on that occasion and an interesting game developed. After a close seventy minutes of hurling Kilkenny emerged victorious by just two points, giving O'Hara a second Leinster winners’ medal. He subsequently lined out in Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
in the All-Ireland championship decider against Cork. Christy Heffernan
Christy Heffernan
Christy Heffernan is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Glenmore and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team in the 1980s and 1990s. Heffernan is regarded as one of Kilkenny's greatest-ever players.-Club:...
was the hero of the day as he scored two goals in a forty second spell just before half-time. Ger Fennelly
Ger Fennelly
Ger Fennelly is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Ballyhale Shamrocks and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1974 until 1989. Fennelly captained Kilkenny to the All-Ireland title in 1979.-Biography:Ger Fennelly was born in Piltown, County...
captured a third goal in the second-half as Kilkenny completely trounced ‘the Rebels’ by 3-18 to 1-15. This victory gave O'Hara his second All-Ireland medal.
In 1983 O'Hara captured a second consecutive National League title before later playing in the Leinster final against Offaly. It was their second consecutive meeting in the provincial decider, however, on this occasion the victory was more comprehensive. A 1-17 to 0-13 win gave Cody his fourth and final Leinster medal. For the second year in-a-row ‘the Cats’ squared up to Cork in the All-Ireland final. Once again Kilkenny dominated the game, assisted by a strong wind in the first-half, and hung on in the face of a great fight-back by Cork. At the full-time whistle Kilkenny emerged victorious by 2-14 to 2-12. It was O'Hara's third and final All-Ireland medal. His performances throughout the entire championship also earned him his sole 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.
Kilkenny’s fortunes took a downturn following this victory as Offaly won the next two Leinster titles. O’Hara retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.
Provincial
O'Hara also lined out with LeinsterLeinster 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...
in the inter-provincial hurling championship. He played in the Railway Cup final of 1978, however, arch-rivals Munster
Munster 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:...
were the winners of that occasion.