Joe Dooley
Encyclopedia
Joe Dooley is an Irish
former hurlers
and manager.
Regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, Dooley enjoyed a successful playing career at club level with Seir Kieran
and remains the only Offaly player to have won three All-Ireland
titles. After a spell as player-manager with Seir Kieran, Dooley later worked as manager
with Tullamore
, Toomevara
and Offaly. He has managed the Irish Senior Internastional Shinty team for the last two years against Scotland.
, County Offaly
, Dooley was the eldest of a family of five boys and four girl and was born into a family that was steeped in hurling
history. Both his paternal and maternal granduncles, as well as his gandftaher, played for Offaly in the junior All-Ireland
finals of 1923 and 1929. Other members of the famous Dooley family include brothers Billy
and Johnny
, as well as his son Shane
.
club and enjoyed much success in a career that last for a quarter of a century.
In 1985 Seir Kieran qualified for their first county championship decider in over thirty years and Dooley was one of the key forwards. He bagged a grand total of 1-4 in the game, however, Kinnitty routed their opponents by 3-18 to 2-8.
Two years later Seir Kieran were back in the county final once again. Club kingpins St. Rynagh's
provided the opposition and a close game developed. Dooley was Seir Kieran's top scorer again with five points, however, the Banagher
-based club recorded an 0-11 to 0-9 victory.
In 1988 Dooley took over as player-manager of the club. It was a hugely successful year as Seir Kieran won the senioe club league for the first time and also qualified for a second successive county final beating Kimmitty in the semi-final. St. Rynagh's provided the opposition for the second year in-a-row, however, on this occasion Seir Kieran were the winners and Dooley collected his first county senior championship winners' medal scoring 0-4. Joe, Billy and Johnny scored 2-11 in the final.
Seir Kieran went through a frought of success for the majority of the next eight years. After failing to make it two county titles in-a-row in 1989, Dooley's club went on to lose championship deciders to Birr
in 1991 and again in 1994.
In 1995 Seir Kieran qualified for the club championship decider once again after defeating reigning county, provincial
and All-Ireland
club champions Birr in the semi-final. St Rynagh's provided stiff opposition in the county final, however, Seir Kieran looked to be heading towards their second championship ever. An equalising goal by St. Rynagh's in the second minute of injury time secured a draw and a replay. Seir Kieran went on to win the replay a week later and Dooley secured his second county championship title and was captain of the side.
Both Seir Kieran and St. Rynagh's met again in the championship decider of 1996 and, once again, the game was a close affair. Dooley's side were two points in arrears with two minutes to go, however, Seir Kieran battled back to win by 0-13 to 1-8. It was a third county title for Dooley.
In 1997 Seir Kieran had the chance to make it three title in-a-row. All was going to plan as Dooley's side qualified for the championship decider with Birr. The game developed into a tight affair, however, Birr pulled away in the last ten minutes to secure a 0-14 to 2-4 victory.
A fourth championship decider in succession beckoned for Dooley's side in 1998 with old rivals St. Rynagh's providing the opposition. The game was regarded as a poor one with both sides finishing level. The replay was much more conclusive with Dooley picking up a fourth county championship winners' medal following a 1-11 to 0-8 victory.
After failing to retain the title in 1999, Seir Kieran were back in the millennium championship decider. It was the end of the glory days for the club as Birr easily won the game by 3-21 to 1-9.
By 2006 Dooley had retired from the Seir Kieran senior hurling team, however, he lined out for club's junior team in the championship decider that year. St. Rynagh's provided the opposition, however, Seir Kieran claimed the title.
senior hurling panel in March 1982. He quickly became a regular player in the National Hurling League
campaigns. Two years later in 1984 Dooley made his senior championship
debut, playing against Wexford
in the provincial decider. A close game developed, however, t the full-time whistle Offaly were the winners by 1-15 to 2-11. A single-point victory gave Dooley his first Leinster winners’ medal. A subsequent 4-15 to 1-10 defeat of Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final with Dooley scoring 2-3 allowed Offaly to advance to the centenary-year All-Ireland final at Semple Stadium
in Thurles
. It was the first ever meeting of Offaly and Cork in championship history. The game failed to live up to expectations and Cork recorded a relatively easy 3-16 to 1-12 victory.
In 1985 Dooley lined out in a second consecutive provincial decider. Surprisingly, Laois
provided the opposition on that occasion. Offaly justified their favourites tag for that game and won easily by 5-15 to 0-17. The ability to get goals at crucial times gave Dooley a second Leinster medal. A fourteen-point trouncing of Antrim
in the All-Ireland semi-final allowed Offaly to advance to the All-Ireland final. Galway were the opponents on that occasion and a tense game ensued. Once again it was Offaly’s goal-scoring ability that proved crucial. Pat Cleary scored the first of the day after twenty-five minutes of play and got his second less than half a minute after the restart. Dooley had a goal disallowed half-way through the second-half while a long Joe Cooney
effort, which seemed to cross the goal line, was not given for Galway. P.J. Molloy
was Galway’s goal scorer, however, the day belonged to Offaly. A 2-11 to 1-12 victory gave Dooley his first All-Ireland
medal.
After losing back-to-back Leinster finals to Kilkenny
for the next two years, Offaly were back to their winning ways in 1988. A 3-12 to 1-14 defeat of Wexford gave Dooley a third winners' medal in the provincial championship. Offaly's championship campaign was ended in the All-Ireland semi-final when Galway won by seven points.
In 1989 Offaly were still the masters of the Leinster championship. Dooley came on as a substitute to collect his fourth provincial winners' medal as his team defeated Kilkenny by 3-15 to 4-9. Offaly's next game was an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Antrim and, while the Leinster champions were the red-hot favourites, victory went to the Ulster champions on a score line of 4-15 to 1-15. The significance of this victory was not lost on Offaly as the entire team gave the Antrim players a guard of honour and a standing ovation as they left the field. It was the first time that the team had qualified for an All-Ireland final since 1943.
Dooley missed the 1990 championship campaign, however, in 1991 he added a National Hurling League
medal to his collection. The following years saw Offaly face defeat in the early rounds of the provincial championship. By that stage all three Dooley brothers were playing together on the Offaly senior team.
After a few years out of the limelight Offaly bounced back in 1994. That year Dooley added a five Leinster winners’ medal to his collection following a 1-18 to 0-14 victory over Wexford. After defeating Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final, Dooley later lined out against Limerick
in the All-Ireland final. With five minutes left in the game Limerick were five points ahead and were coasting to victory. It was then that one of the most explosive All-Ireland final finishes of all-time took place. Offaly were awarded a close-in free which Johnny Dooley
stepped up to take. Dooley was told by the management team to take a point; however, he lashed the ball into the Limerick net to reduce the deficit. Following the puck-out Offaly worked the ball up field and Pat O'Connor
struck for a second goal. The Offaly forwards scored another five unanswered points in the time remaining to secure a 3-16 to 2-13 victory. This sensational victory gave Dooley a second All-Ireland winner’s medal.
In 1995 Offaly retained the Leinster title following a 2-16 to 2-5 trouncing of Kilkenny. It was Dooley's sixth and final provincial winners’ medal. Down
fell to Offaly in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final, allowing Offaly to advance to the championship decider and attempt to put back-to-back All-Ireland titles together for the first time ever. It was the first-ever meeting of Offaly and Clare
in the history of the championship. The game developed into a close affair with Offaly taking a half-time lead. Four minutes from the end substitute Éamonn Taaffe
first timed a long range free straight into the net to give Clare a one-point lead. After a quick equaliser Anthony Daly
sent over a 65-metre free to give his team the lead again. Jamesie O'Connor
pointed soon afterwards and at the full-time whistle Clare were the 1-13 to 2-8 winners.
After a couple of seasons in the doldrums Offaly emerged again in 1998, however, the year was not without controversy. That year Dooley's side reached the Leinster final but lost by five points to Kilkenny. This defeat prompted their manager, Babs Keating, to describe the Offaly hurlers as "sheep in a heap", and he promptly resigned. It looked as if Offaly's championship hopes were in disarray, however, they overcame Antrim
in the All-Ireland quarter-final and qualified to meet Clare in the semi-final. That game ended in a draw 1-13 apiece draw and had to be replayed. The replay, however, was ended early because of a time-keeping error by the referee Jimmy Cooney
. Following a protest on the pitch of Croke Park
by the Offaly supporters it was decided that Clare and Offaly would meet for a third time. Dooley's side won the third game and qualified to play Kilkenny in the final ina repeat of the provincial decider. On that day Brian Whelahan
delivered one of his greatest performances. Despite suffering from flu, he started in defence and was later moved to full-forward where he scored 1-6. Offaly reversed the Leinster final defeat by winning the All-Ireland final by six points. Dooley set a record by becoming the first Offaly player to capture a third All-Ireland winners' medal. He was later presented with his sole All-Star
award.
Two years later in 2000 Dooley's side suffered a heavy defeat to Kilkenny in the Leinster final. As a result of the 'back-door' system in the championship both sides later faced off against each other again in the All-Ireland final. D. J. Carey
capitalised on an Offaly mistake after just six minutes to start a goal-fest for 'the Cats'. Carey scored 2-4 in all, sharing his second goal with Henry Shefflin
who also scored a goal in the second-half. At the full-time whistle Kilkenny were the champions by 5-15 to 1-14. It was one of the most one-sided finals in decades and marked the end of the great Offaly team of the nineties.
In 2001 there was speculation that Dooley would soldier on for another season of inter-county activity. In spite of this he announced his inter-county retirement in March of that year.
Just two years after his inter-county career drew to a close, Dooley took charge of the famous Toomevara
club in Tipperary. It was a reasonably successful tenure, however, it was a turbulent one nonetheless. In spite of guiding 'Toome' to win the Tipperary Senior League and the semi-finals of the north Tipperary championship, Dooley was relieved of his position as manager just a week before that game as speculation grew that the players were not happy with his training methods.
Two years later Dooley was back in club management, this time with his adopted home of Tullamore
. He enjoyed success winning the division two league and setting the foundations for their senior championship success in 2009.
, was appointed manager of the Westmeath
senior hurling team.
Dooley's first championship campaign in 2008
was a tough one. After trouncing Laois
by 4-22 to 2-12 in the provincial quarter-final, Offaly qualified to play reigning All-Ireland champions Kilkenny
. A 2-24 to 0-12 defeat was Offaly's lot on that occasion, as Dooley's side were banished to the All-Ireland qualifiers and a tough assignment against Limerick
. That game defined both teams's seasons as Dooley's underdogs triumphed by 3-19 to 0-18. Offaly's reward for winning that game was another All-Ireland qualifier against Waterford
in Semple Stadium
. In spite of giving a good account of themselves Dooley's side were beaten by a very experienced Waterford outfit, however, there was cause for optimism due to some very good championship performances.
In 2009 Dooley's side built on their progress by reaching the division 2 final of the National Hurling League
. Fellow Leinstermen Wexford provided the opposition, however, Offaly triumphed by 1-13 to 0-13 and claimed promotion to division 1. The subsequent championship campaign was not a successful one as Wexford exacted their revenge by dumping Offaly out of the provincial championship. The All-Ireland qualifiers route beckoned again, however, Cork trounced Dooley's side and brought their championship campaign to an end.
2010 saw Offaly open their championship campaign with a narrow extra-time defeat of Antrim
. Offaly's side were regarded as underdogs for their next game against Galway
, however, the men from the 'faithful county' nearly pulled off the shock of the championship. A draw was the result, however, the replay was just as exciting with victory going to Galway. After defeating Limerick Offaly's interest in the championship was ended by eventual champions Tipperary
.
Dooley stepped down from his post as Offaly senior hurling manager on 28 June 2011, following Offaly's championship
exit to Cork.
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...
former hurlers
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...
and manager.
Regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, Dooley enjoyed a successful playing career at club level with Seir Kieran
Seir Kieran GAA
Seir Kieran is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the village of Clareen in County Offaly, Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with the game of hurling.-Famous players:* Joe Bergin* Eugene Coughlan* Billy Dooley* Joe Dooley...
and remains the only Offaly player to have 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....
titles. After a spell as player-manager with Seir Kieran, Dooley later worked as manager
Manager (Gaelic games)
In Gaelic games, a manager or coach is an individual involved in the direction and instruction of the on-field operations of a team. Managing, or coaching, entails the application of sport tactics and strategies during the game itself, and usually entails substitution of players and other such...
with Tullamore
Tullamore GAA
Tullamore GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the town of Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland. The club is concerned with both hurling and Gaelic football. The club competes in Offaly GAA competitions. The club has won three senior football championships and one senior hurling...
, Toomevara
Toomevara GAA
Toomevara GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the parish of Toomevara in County Tipperary, Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with hurling.-Honours:*Munster Senior Club Hurling Championships: 3** 1993, 2004, 2006...
and Offaly. He has managed the Irish Senior Internastional Shinty team for the last two years against Scotland.
Biography
Born in ClareenClareen
Clareen is a village in County Offaly, Ireland. It is located 8 km west of Birr on the R421 regional road.The village is situated at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.The local Catholic church, St. Kieran's, was built in 1900.-See also:...
, County Offaly
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
, Dooley was the eldest of a family of five boys and four girl and was born into a family that was steeped in 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...
history. Both his paternal and maternal granduncles, as well as his gandftaher, played for Offaly in the junior All-Ireland
All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship was a hurling competition organized by the Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland. The competition was originally contested by the second teams of the strong counties, and the first teams of the weaker counties...
finals of 1923 and 1929. Other members of the famous Dooley family include brothers Billy
Billy Dooley
Billy Dooley is a former Irish sportsperson. He played senior hurling with the Offaly inter-county team from 1991 until 1999.-Early life:...
and Johnny
Johnny Dooley
Johnny Dooley is an Irish former hurling manager and player. He played hurling with his local club Seir Kieran and was a member of the Offaly senior inter-county team from 1991 until 2002...
, as well as his son Shane
Shane Dooley
Shane Dooley is an Irish sportsperson. He playes hurling and Gaelic football with his local club Tullamore and has been a member of the Offaly senior hurling team since 2007.-Biography:...
.
Club
Dooley played his club hurling with the Seir KieranSeir Kieran GAA
Seir Kieran is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the village of Clareen in County Offaly, Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with the game of hurling.-Famous players:* Joe Bergin* Eugene Coughlan* Billy Dooley* Joe Dooley...
club and enjoyed much success in a career that last for a quarter of a century.
In 1985 Seir Kieran qualified for their first county championship decider in over thirty years and Dooley was one of the key forwards. He bagged a grand total of 1-4 in the game, however, Kinnitty routed their opponents by 3-18 to 2-8.
Two years later Seir Kieran were back in the county final once again. Club kingpins St. Rynagh's
St. Rynagh's GAA
St. Rynagh's is a Gaelic Athletic Association club that encompasses the towns of Cloghan and Banagher in County Offaly, in Ireland. Formed in 1961, the club gained almost immediate success - winning the senior championship in 1965. St. Rynagh's went on to appear in three All-Ireland club finals...
provided the opposition and a close game developed. Dooley was Seir Kieran's top scorer again with five points, however, the Banagher
Banagher
Banagher is a town in Ireland, located in the midlands on the western edge of County Offaly in the province of Leinster, on the banks of the River Shannon. The name Banagher comes from its Irish name which translates to English as "the place of the pointed rocks on the Shannon"...
-based club recorded an 0-11 to 0-9 victory.
In 1988 Dooley took over as player-manager of the club. It was a hugely successful year as Seir Kieran won the senioe club league for the first time and also qualified for a second successive county final beating Kimmitty in the semi-final. St. Rynagh's provided the opposition for the second year in-a-row, however, on this occasion Seir Kieran were the winners and Dooley collected his first county senior championship winners' medal scoring 0-4. Joe, Billy and Johnny scored 2-11 in the final.
Seir Kieran went through a frought of success for the majority of the next eight years. After failing to make it two county titles in-a-row in 1989, Dooley's club went on to lose championship deciders to Birr
Birr GAA
Birr GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with hurling and are one of the most successful club hurling teams in the country.-Honours:...
in 1991 and again in 1994.
In 1995 Seir Kieran qualified for the club championship decider once again after defeating reigning county, provincial
Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship
The Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual Hurling tournament played between the winners of the senior club hurling championships of the counties in Leinster. The current holders of the Leinster title are Ballyhale Shamrocks from Kilkenny. The first Leinster senior club hurling...
and 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 champions Birr in the semi-final. St Rynagh's provided stiff opposition in the county final, however, Seir Kieran looked to be heading towards their second championship ever. An equalising goal by St. Rynagh's in the second minute of injury time secured a draw and a replay. Seir Kieran went on to win the replay a week later and Dooley secured his second county championship title and was captain of the side.
Both Seir Kieran and St. Rynagh's met again in the championship decider of 1996 and, once again, the game was a close affair. Dooley's side were two points in arrears with two minutes to go, however, Seir Kieran battled back to win by 0-13 to 1-8. It was a third county title for Dooley.
In 1997 Seir Kieran had the chance to make it three title in-a-row. All was going to plan as Dooley's side qualified for the championship decider with Birr. The game developed into a tight affair, however, Birr pulled away in the last ten minutes to secure a 0-14 to 2-4 victory.
A fourth championship decider in succession beckoned for Dooley's side in 1998 with old rivals St. Rynagh's providing the opposition. The game was regarded as a poor one with both sides finishing level. The replay was much more conclusive with Dooley picking up a fourth county championship winners' medal following a 1-11 to 0-8 victory.
After failing to retain the title in 1999, Seir Kieran were back in the millennium championship decider. It was the end of the glory days for the club as Birr easily won the game by 3-21 to 1-9.
By 2006 Dooley had retired from the Seir Kieran senior hurling team, however, he lined out for club's junior team in the championship decider that year. St. Rynagh's provided the opposition, however, Seir Kieran claimed the title.
Inter-county
Dooley enjoyed a successful colleges career winning five leinster colleges medals and played in two all-ireland senior colleges finals with Presentation Brothers College Birr. He joined the OffalyOffaly 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...
senior hurling panel in March 1982. He quickly became a regular player in the 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...
campaigns. Two years later in 1984 Dooley made his senior 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....
debut, playing against 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 provincial decider. A close game developed, however, t the full-time whistle Offaly were the winners by 1-15 to 2-11. A single-point victory gave Dooley his first Leinster winners’ medal. A subsequent 4-15 to 1-10 defeat of Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final with Dooley scoring 2-3 allowed Offaly to advance to the centenary-year All-Ireland final at 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 Thurles
Thurles
Thurles is a town situated in North Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Eliogarty and is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly...
. It was the first ever meeting of Offaly and Cork in championship history. The game failed to live up to expectations and Cork recorded a relatively easy 3-16 to 1-12 victory.
In 1985 Dooley lined out in a second consecutive provincial decider. Surprisingly, Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
provided the opposition on that occasion. Offaly justified their favourites tag for that game and won easily by 5-15 to 0-17. The ability to get goals at crucial times gave Dooley a second Leinster medal. A fourteen-point trouncing of Antrim
Antrim GAA
The Antrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Antrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Antrim. The county board is also responsible for the Antrim inter-county teams...
in the All-Ireland semi-final allowed Offaly to advance to the All-Ireland final. Galway were the opponents on that occasion and a tense game ensued. Once again it was Offaly’s goal-scoring ability that proved crucial. Pat Cleary scored the first of the day after twenty-five minutes of play and got his second less than half a minute after the restart. Dooley had a goal disallowed half-way through the second-half while a long Joe Cooney
Joe Cooney
Joe Cooney is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Sarsfield's and with the Galway senior inter-county team from 1985 until 2000. Cooney is regarded as one of Galway’s greatest-ever players.-Early life:...
effort, which seemed to cross the goal line, was not given for Galway. P.J. Molloy
P.J. Molloy
P. J. Molloy is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Athenry and was a member of the Galway senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s...
was Galway’s goal scorer, however, the day belonged to Offaly. A 2-11 to 1-12 victory gave Dooley his 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.
After losing back-to-back Leinster finals to 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...
for the next two years, Offaly were back to their winning ways in 1988. A 3-12 to 1-14 defeat of Wexford gave Dooley a third winners' medal in the provincial championship. Offaly's championship campaign was ended in the All-Ireland semi-final when Galway won by seven points.
In 1989 Offaly were still the masters of the Leinster championship. Dooley came on as a substitute to collect his fourth provincial winners' medal as his team defeated Kilkenny by 3-15 to 4-9. Offaly's next game was an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Antrim and, while the Leinster champions were the red-hot favourites, victory went to the Ulster champions on a score line of 4-15 to 1-15. The significance of this victory was not lost on Offaly as the entire team gave the Antrim players a guard of honour and a standing ovation as they left the field. It was the first time that the team had qualified for an All-Ireland final since 1943.
Dooley missed the 1990 championship campaign, however, in 1991 he added 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...
medal to his collection. The following years saw Offaly face defeat in the early rounds of the provincial championship. By that stage all three Dooley brothers were playing together on the Offaly senior team.
After a few years out of the limelight Offaly bounced back in 1994. That year Dooley added a five Leinster winners’ medal to his collection following a 1-18 to 0-14 victory over Wexford. After defeating Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final, Dooley later lined out against 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...
in the All-Ireland final. With five minutes left in the game Limerick were five points ahead and were coasting to victory. It was then that one of the most explosive All-Ireland final finishes of all-time took place. Offaly were awarded a close-in free which Johnny Dooley
Johnny Dooley
Johnny Dooley is an Irish former hurling manager and player. He played hurling with his local club Seir Kieran and was a member of the Offaly senior inter-county team from 1991 until 2002...
stepped up to take. Dooley was told by the management team to take a point; however, he lashed the ball into the Limerick net to reduce the deficit. Following the puck-out Offaly worked the ball up field and Pat O'Connor
Pat O'Connor (hurler)
Pat O'Connor is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Coolderry and was a member of the Offaly senior inter-county team from 1987 until 1996.-References:...
struck for a second goal. The Offaly forwards scored another five unanswered points in the time remaining to secure a 3-16 to 2-13 victory. This sensational victory gave Dooley a second All-Ireland winner’s medal.
In 1995 Offaly retained the Leinster title following a 2-16 to 2-5 trouncing of Kilkenny. It was Dooley's sixth and final provincial winners’ medal. Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
fell to Offaly in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final, allowing Offaly to advance to the championship decider and attempt to put back-to-back All-Ireland titles together for the first time ever. It was the first-ever meeting of Offaly and 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 history of the championship. The game developed into a close affair with Offaly taking a half-time lead. Four minutes from the end substitute Éamonn Taaffe
Éamonn Taaffe
Éamonn Taaffe is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Tubber and was a member of the Clare senior inter-county team in the 1990s. Taaffe scored Clare's only goal in their 2-point victory over Offaly in the 1995 All-Ireland Final. This was Clare's first All-Ireland win in 81...
first timed a long range free straight into the net to give Clare a one-point lead. After a quick equaliser Anthony Daly
Anthony Daly (hurler)
Anthony Daly is an Irish hurling manager and former player. He is the current manager of the Dublin senior hurling team....
sent over a 65-metre free to give his team the lead again. Jamesie O'Connor
Jamesie O'Connor
Jamesie O'Connor is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club St. Joseph's Doora-Barefield and with the Clare senior inter-county team from 1993 until 2004.-Biography:...
pointed soon afterwards and at the full-time whistle Clare were the 1-13 to 2-8 winners.
After a couple of seasons in the doldrums Offaly emerged again in 1998, however, the year was not without controversy. That year Dooley's side reached the Leinster final but lost by five points to Kilkenny. This defeat prompted their manager, Babs Keating, to describe the Offaly hurlers as "sheep in a heap", and he promptly resigned. It looked as if Offaly's championship hopes were in disarray, however, they overcame Antrim
Antrim GAA
The Antrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Antrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Antrim. The county board is also responsible for the Antrim inter-county teams...
in the All-Ireland quarter-final and qualified to meet Clare in the semi-final. That game ended in a draw 1-13 apiece draw and had to be replayed. The replay, however, was ended early because of a time-keeping error by the referee Jimmy Cooney
Jimmy Cooney (hurler)
Jimmy Cooney is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Sarsfield's and was a member of the Galway senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s. Cooney later served as an inter-county referee.-References:...
. Following a protest on the pitch of Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
by the Offaly supporters it was decided that Clare and Offaly would meet for a third time. Dooley's side won the third game and qualified to play Kilkenny in the final ina repeat of the provincial decider. On that day Brian Whelahan
Brian Whelahan
Brian Whelahan is an Irish sportsperson. He currently plays hurling with his local club Birr and was a member of the Offaly senior inter-county team from 1989 until 2006...
delivered one of his greatest performances. Despite suffering from flu, he started in defence and was later moved to full-forward where he scored 1-6. Offaly reversed the Leinster final defeat by winning the All-Ireland final by six points. Dooley set a record by becoming the first Offaly player to capture a third All-Ireland winners' medal. He was later presented with 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.
Two years later in 2000 Dooley's side suffered a heavy defeat to Kilkenny in the Leinster final. As a result of the 'back-door' system in the championship both sides later faced off against each other again in the All-Ireland final. D. J. Carey
D. J. Carey
Denis Joseph Carey , better known as D.J. Carey , is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Young Irelands from 1988 until 2007 and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1990 until 2005...
capitalised on an Offaly mistake after just six minutes to start a goal-fest for 'the Cats'. Carey scored 2-4 in all, sharing his second goal with Henry Shefflin
Henry Shefflin
Henry Shefflin is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Ballyhale Shamrocks and has been a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team since 1999...
who also scored a goal in the second-half. At the full-time whistle Kilkenny were the champions by 5-15 to 1-14. It was one of the most one-sided finals in decades and marked the end of the great Offaly team of the nineties.
In 2001 there was speculation that Dooley would soldier on for another season of inter-county activity. In spite of this he announced his inter-county retirement in March of that year.
Early experience
Even at the height of his playing career Dooley became involved in team management. In 1988 he was only twenty-four years-old when he took over as player-manager at Seir Kieran. It was a successful move as Dooley proved instrumental both on and off the field in helping the club to take their first county championship title since 1952. He steered Seir Kieran to two league titles and a first senior championship win.Just two years after his inter-county career drew to a close, Dooley took charge of the famous Toomevara
Toomevara GAA
Toomevara GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the parish of Toomevara in County Tipperary, Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with hurling.-Honours:*Munster Senior Club Hurling Championships: 3** 1993, 2004, 2006...
club in Tipperary. It was a reasonably successful tenure, however, it was a turbulent one nonetheless. In spite of guiding 'Toome' to win the Tipperary Senior League and the semi-finals of the north Tipperary championship, Dooley was relieved of his position as manager just a week before that game as speculation grew that the players were not happy with his training methods.
Two years later Dooley was back in club management, this time with his adopted home of Tullamore
Tullamore GAA
Tullamore GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the town of Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland. The club is concerned with both hurling and Gaelic football. The club competes in Offaly GAA competitions. The club has won three senior football championships and one senior hurling...
. He enjoyed success winning the division two league and setting the foundations for their senior championship success in 2009.
Offaly
In October 2007 Dooley was appointed manager of the Offaly senior hurling team. Shortly before taking up this post Dooley's brother, JohnnyJohnny Dooley
Johnny Dooley is an Irish former hurling manager and player. He played hurling with his local club Seir Kieran and was a member of the Offaly senior inter-county team from 1991 until 2002...
, was appointed manager of the Westmeath
Westmeath GAA
The Westmeath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Westmeath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Westmeath...
senior hurling team.
Dooley's first championship campaign in 2008
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2008
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship 2008 was the 122nd since its establishment in 1887. The first matches of the season were played on 25 May 2008, and the championship ended on 7 September 2008...
was a tough one. After trouncing Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
by 4-22 to 2-12 in the provincial quarter-final, Offaly qualified to play reigning All-Ireland champions 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...
. A 2-24 to 0-12 defeat was Offaly's lot on that occasion, as Dooley's side were banished to the All-Ireland qualifiers and a tough assignment against 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...
. That game defined both teams's seasons as Dooley's underdogs triumphed by 3-19 to 0-18. Offaly's reward for winning that game was another All-Ireland qualifier against 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...
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 spite of giving a good account of themselves Dooley's side were beaten by a very experienced Waterford outfit, however, there was cause for optimism due to some very good championship performances.
In 2009 Dooley's side built on their progress by reaching the division 2 final of the 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...
. Fellow Leinstermen Wexford provided the opposition, however, Offaly triumphed by 1-13 to 0-13 and claimed promotion to division 1. The subsequent championship campaign was not a successful one as Wexford exacted their revenge by dumping Offaly out of the provincial championship. The All-Ireland qualifiers route beckoned again, however, Cork trounced Dooley's side and brought their championship campaign to an end.
2010 saw Offaly open their championship campaign with a narrow extra-time defeat of Antrim
Antrim GAA
The Antrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Antrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Antrim. The county board is also responsible for the Antrim inter-county teams...
. Offaly's side were regarded as underdogs for their next game 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,...
, however, the men from the 'faithful county' nearly pulled off the shock of the championship. A draw was the result, however, the replay was just as exciting with victory going to Galway. After defeating Limerick Offaly's interest in the championship was ended by eventual champions 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...
.
Dooley stepped down from his post as Offaly senior hurling manager on 28 June 2011, following Offaly's championship
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2011
The 2011 GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship was the 123rd staging of the All-Ireland championship since its establishment in 1887. The draw for the 2011 fixtures took place on 7 October 2010. The championship began on 14 May and ended on 4 September 2011...
exit to Cork.
Seir Kieran
- Offaly Senior Hurling Championship:
- Winner (4): 1988, 1995, 1996, 1998
- Runner-up (7): 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000
Offaly
- All-Ireland Senior Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe 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 (3): 1985, 1994, 1998
- Runner-up (3): 1984, 1995, 2000
- Leinster Senior Hurling ChampionshipLeinster Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe 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 (6): 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1995
- Runner-up (8): 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000
- National Hurling LeagueNational Hurling LeagueThe 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...
:- Winner (1): 1990-1991
- Leinster Under-21 Hurling ChampionshipLeinster Under-21 Hurling ChampionshipFor the Senior equivalent see: Leinster Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe Leinster U-21 Hurling Championship or for sponsorship reasons the Erin Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship is an U-21 hurling tournament. The first tournament took place in 1964 when Wexford were crowned champions. Wexford...
:- Winner (0):
- Runner-up (1): 1982