Jim English
Encyclopedia
Jim English was an Irish
hurler
who played as a right wing-back for the Wexford
senior team from 1952 until 1964.
English made his first appearance for the team during the 1952 championship
and became a regular player over the next decade. During that time he won three All-Ireland
winner's medals, five Leinster
winner's medals and two National Hurling League
winners' medals. In 1956 English captained the team to the All-Ireland title.
At club level, Maher enjoyed a successful career with Rathnure
in Wexford and later with Erin's Own in Carlow. He won numerous club championship winners' medals in both codes.
in 1932. Son of Thomas & Mary Kate, Brothers Paddy, Tommy, Matty, John, Joe & Sisters Maggie (Rowe) Maureen (Walsh) He grew up on the family farm and from a young age he showed a great interest in the game of hurling
. English was educated locally and later attended New Ross
CBS
where he first tasted hurling success.
club in Wexford. He enjoyed much success year over a fifteen-year career at senior level. English later transferred to the Erin’s Own club in Muine Bheag.
in the 1950 Leinster minor championship against Kilkenny
. The following year he joined the senior side and was a substitute when Wexford won the Leinster Championship
title, however, they were beaten by Tipperary
in the All-Ireland final. Three years later in 1954 English was a full member of the team. That year he won his first Leinster title, however, Wexford lost out to Cork in the All-Ireland final. In 1955 he captured his second provincial title. Once again Wexford qualified for the All-Ireland final, however, on this occasion English ended the day with an All-Ireland
medal following a win over Galway
.
In 1956 English was captain of Wexford as his native-county claimed a National Hurling League
title and a third Leinster title in-a-row. Wexford later played Cork in one of the most famous All-Ireland finals of all-time. It was the day that an Art Foley
save denied Christy Ring
a ninth All-Ireland medal. English, on the other hand, ended the day with a second All-Ireland medal. In 1958 he won his second National League medal before winning a fourth Leinster medal in 1960. That year English also captured his third All-Ireland medal following a win over Tipperary. He retired from inter-county hurling in 1962. His other honours include two Railway Cup medals with Leinster
.
, serving in that position until 1992. That year English became Chairman of the Carlow County Board.
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...
hurler
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...
who played as a right wing-back for the 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...
senior team from 1952 until 1964.
English made his first appearance for the team during the 1952 championship
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1952
The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship of 1952 was the 66th edition of Ireland’s premier hurling knockout competition. The championship ran from May to September of that year, culminating with the All-Ireland final, held at Croke Park, Dublin on 7 September. The match was contested by Cork...
and became a regular player over the next decade. During that time he won three 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....
winner's medals, five 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....
winner's medals and two 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...
winners' medals. In 1956 English captained the team to the All-Ireland title.
At club level, Maher enjoyed a successful career with Rathnure
Rathnure GAA
Rathnure St. Anne’s is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Rathnure, County Wexford, Ireland. Rathnure's most famous players are the Rackards and Quigley brothers.-First AGM:...
in Wexford and later with Erin's Own in Carlow. He won numerous club championship winners' medals in both codes.
Early life
Jim English was born in Ballindoney, County WexfordCounty Wexford
County Wexford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wexford. In pre-Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, whose capital was at Ferns. Wexford County Council is the local...
in 1932. Son of Thomas & Mary Kate, Brothers Paddy, Tommy, Matty, John, Joe & Sisters Maggie (Rowe) Maureen (Walsh) He grew up on the family farm and from a young age he showed a great interest in the game of 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...
. English was educated locally and later attended New Ross
New Ross
New Ross is a town located in southwest County Wexford, in the southeast of Ireland. In 2006 it had a population of 7,709 people, making it the third largest town in the county after Wexford and Enniscorthy.-History:...
CBS
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
where he first tasted hurling success.
Club
English played his club hurling with the famous RathnureRathnure GAA
Rathnure St. Anne’s is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Rathnure, County Wexford, Ireland. Rathnure's most famous players are the Rackards and Quigley brothers.-First AGM:...
club in Wexford. He enjoyed much success year over a fifteen-year career at senior level. English later transferred to the Erin’s Own club in Muine Bheag.
Inter-county
English first played for 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...
in the 1950 Leinster minor championship against 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...
. The following year he joined the senior side and was a substitute when Wexford won the Leinster Championship
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, however, they were beaten by 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...
in the All-Ireland final. Three years later in 1954 English was a full member of the team. That year he won his first Leinster title, however, Wexford lost out to Cork in the All-Ireland final. In 1955 he captured his second provincial title. Once again Wexford qualified for the All-Ireland final, however, on this occasion English ended the day with an 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 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 1956 English was captain of Wexford as his native-county claimed 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 and a third Leinster title in-a-row. Wexford later played Cork in one of the most famous All-Ireland finals of all-time. It was the day that an Art Foley
Art Foley
Michael Arthur Foley , better known as Art Foley, is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club St. Aidan's of Enniscorthy and with the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1946 until 1956.-Club:...
save denied Christy Ring
Christy Ring
Nicholas Christopher Michael Ring , better known as Christy Ring, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the Glen Rovers club from 1941 until 1967 and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1939 until 1963. Ring is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in...
a ninth All-Ireland medal. English, on the other hand, ended the day with a second All-Ireland medal. In 1958 he won his second National League medal before winning a fourth Leinster medal in 1960. That year English also captured his third All-Ireland medal following a win over Tipperary. He retired from inter-county hurling in 1962. His other honours include two Railway Cup medals with Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
.
Retirement
In retirement from play English maintained a keen interest in hurling. In 1972 he was elected Leinster Council delegate for CarlowCarlow GAA
The Carlow County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Carlow GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Carlow and the Carlow inter-county teams.-Gaelic football:...
, serving in that position until 1992. That year English became Chairman of the Carlow County Board.