Jim O'Regan
Encyclopedia
Jim O’Regan was an Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
at various times with his local clubs Kinsale
in Cork and Garda
in Dublin. He also played hurling with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1926 until 1936. O’Regan’s inclusion on the Cork Hurling Team of the Century marks him out as one of his county’s greatest-ever players.
with his local club in Kinsale
, however, he enjoyed little in the way of success. After moving to Dublin he joined the Garda
club and won a senior county title in the 1920s.
competition giving O’Regan his first major hurling title. Later that year Cork played Tipperary
in the Munster final, however, it took three games for the two sides to be separated. Cork won on the third occasion with O’Regan collecting his first Munster
. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Kilkenny
at a snow-covered Croke Park
in October of that year. O’Regan’s side took the lead at half-time and held on to win by 4-6 to 2-0. It was Cork’s first championship title since 1919 and O’Regan’s first All-Ireland
medal.
Cork retained their Munster title in 1927, however, O’Regan did not play any part in the provincial final. He returned to the team for the subsequent All-Ireland final against Dublin
. Cork fell behind by 2-3 to 0-1 at half-time; however, they fought back in the second-half. In spite of this ‘the Dubs’ won the day.
In 1928 Cork faced Clare
in the Munster final. That game ended in a draw, however, in the replay Cork triumphed with O’Regan collecting his second Munster title. Cork later defeated Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final before lining out against Galway
in the championship decider. Galway got a bye into the final without picking up a hurley, however, the game turned into a rout. A score line of 6-12 to 1-0 gave Cork the victory and gave O’Regan a second All-Ireland medal.
In 1929 Cork retained their provincial dominance for a fourth consecutive year. A 4-6 to 2-3 defeat of Waterford
gave O’Regan his third Munster title in four years. The subsequent All-Ireland final was a replay of the previous year’s game as Cork played Galway once again. Mick Ahern
scored a goal for Cork after just 25 seconds to start another rout. Cork won the day by 4-9 to 1-3 giving O’Regan his third All-Ireland title.
O’Regan won a second National League title in 1930, however, Cork surrendered their provincial crown later that summer. The team bounced back in 1931 with O’Regan collecting a fourth Munster winners’ medal. Once again it took a replay for Cork and Waterford to be separated. The All-Ireland final saw Cork take on Kilkenny for the first time since 1926. After a close game both sides finished level – 1-6 apiece. The replay of the final took place four weeks later and is regarded as a classic. Cork took the lead at half-time, however, Kilkenny fought back. Once again both sides finished level – 2-5 apiece. The first week of November saw the second replay of the All-Ireland final take place. At the third attempt Cork triumphed by 5-8 to 3-4 giving O’Regan his fourth All-Ireland medal.
In 1932 Cork set out to defend the Munster and All-Ireland titles, however, Clare defeated O’Regan’s side on that occasion. Cork went into decline following that defeat and failed to reach another Munster final until 1939. O’Regan retired from inter-county hurling in 1936.
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He first played for his province in the inaugural year of the Railway Cup competition in 1927, however, Leinster
were the victors on that occasion. O’Regan remained on the team and helped Munster to capture the next four title sin 1928, 1929, 1930 and 1931. He last lined out for Munster in 1933.
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...
at various times with his local clubs Kinsale
Kinsale GAA
Kinsale GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Kinsale, Cork, Republic of Ireland. The club fields teams in both Gaelic football and hurling...
in Cork and Garda
Garda GAA
Garda is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Dublin, Ireland, founded in 1922. Garda have won the Dublin Senior Football Championship on six occasions in 1927, 1929, 1933, 1934, 1935 and 1948. Garda won the Dublin Intermediate Football Championship on one occasion in 1986, bringing them...
in Dublin. He also played hurling with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1926 until 1936. O’Regan’s inclusion on the Cork Hurling Team of the Century marks him out as one of his county’s greatest-ever players.
Club
O’Regan 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 club in Kinsale
Kinsale GAA
Kinsale GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Kinsale, Cork, Republic of Ireland. The club fields teams in both Gaelic football and hurling...
, however, he enjoyed little in the way of success. After moving to Dublin he joined the Garda
Garda GAA
Garda is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Dublin, Ireland, founded in 1922. Garda have won the Dublin Senior Football Championship on six occasions in 1927, 1929, 1933, 1934, 1935 and 1948. Garda won the Dublin Intermediate Football Championship on one occasion in 1986, bringing them...
club and won a senior county title in the 1920s.
Inter-county
O’Regan first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with Cork in 1926. That year Cork won the inaugural National Hurling LeagueNational 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...
competition giving O’Regan his first major hurling title. Later that year Cork played 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 Munster final, however, it took three games for the two sides to be separated. Cork won on the third occasion with O’Regan collecting his 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....
. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork 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...
at a snow-covered 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 October of that year. O’Regan’s side took the lead at half-time and held on to win by 4-6 to 2-0. It was Cork’s first championship title since 1919 and O’Regan’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....
medal.
Cork retained their Munster title in 1927, however, O’Regan did not play any part in the provincial final. He returned to the team for the subsequent All-Ireland final against Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
. Cork fell behind by 2-3 to 0-1 at half-time; however, they fought back in the second-half. In spite of this ‘the Dubs’ won the day.
In 1928 Cork faced Clare
Clare GAA
The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Clare. The county board is also responsible for the Clare inter-county teams....
in the Munster final. That game ended in a draw, however, in the replay Cork triumphed with O’Regan collecting his second Munster title. Cork later defeated Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final before lining out against 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 championship decider. Galway got a bye into the final without picking up a hurley, however, the game turned into a rout. A score line of 6-12 to 1-0 gave Cork the victory and gave O’Regan a second All-Ireland medal.
In 1929 Cork retained their provincial dominance for a fourth consecutive year. A 4-6 to 2-3 defeat of Waterford
Waterford GAA
The Waterford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Waterford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for all levels of Gaelic games in County Waterford. The County Board is also responsible for the Waterford inter-county teams. The county...
gave O’Regan his third Munster title in four years. The subsequent All-Ireland final was a replay of the previous year’s game as Cork played Galway once again. Mick Ahern
Mick Ahern
Mick ‘Gah’ Ahern was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Blackrock and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1925 until 1932.-Early life:...
scored a goal for Cork after just 25 seconds to start another rout. Cork won the day by 4-9 to 1-3 giving O’Regan his third All-Ireland title.
O’Regan won a second National League title in 1930, however, Cork surrendered their provincial crown later that summer. The team bounced back in 1931 with O’Regan collecting a fourth Munster winners’ medal. Once again it took a replay for Cork and Waterford to be separated. The All-Ireland final saw Cork take on Kilkenny for the first time since 1926. After a close game both sides finished level – 1-6 apiece. The replay of the final took place four weeks later and is regarded as a classic. Cork took the lead at half-time, however, Kilkenny fought back. Once again both sides finished level – 2-5 apiece. The first week of November saw the second replay of the All-Ireland final take place. At the third attempt Cork triumphed by 5-8 to 3-4 giving O’Regan his fourth All-Ireland medal.
In 1932 Cork set out to defend the Munster and All-Ireland titles, however, Clare defeated O’Regan’s side on that occasion. Cork went into decline following that defeat and failed to reach another Munster final until 1939. O’Regan retired from inter-county hurling in 1936.
Provincial
O’Regan 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 inter-provincial hurling competition. He first played for his province in the inaugural year of the Railway Cup competition in 1927, however, Leinster
Leinster 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...
were the victors on that occasion. O’Regan remained on the team and helped Munster to capture the next four title sin 1928, 1929, 1930 and 1931. He last lined out for Munster in 1933.