Johnny Clifford
Encyclopedia
Johnny Clifford was an Irish
hurling
manager
and player. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1950s. Clifford later served as manager of the Cork senior team on three separate occasions in the 1980s and 1990s.
with his local Fair Hill club in the North Parish Leagues in the 1940s. After much success at under-age levels here he subsequently joined the famous Glen Rovers
club. Clifford won his first two senior county titles
in 1953 and 1954 before later winning several more in the late 1950s.
by 5-11 to 1-3 in the provincial decider, giving Clifford a Munster
winners' medal. He later led his county out in Croke Park
for the All-Ireland final against Galway
. An entertaining hour of hurling took place, however, in the end Cork were victorious by 4-5 to 1-8. Not only did Clifford pick up a coveted All-Ireland
minor winners' medal but he also had the honour of collecting the cup on behalf of his team.
Clifford later joined the Cork senior team where he enjoyed further success. He was a key member of the team in 1954 as Cork set out on their three-in-a-row trail. Tipperary
fell to Cork by 2-8 to 1-8 in the provincial final, giving Clifford a coveted Munster
winners' medal at senior level. A senior All-Ireland final appearance beckoned for the Glen Rovers man, with Wexford
providing the opposition. A record attendance of nearly 85,000 people packed into Croke Park
to witness a great battle between star forwards Christy Ring
and Nicky Rackard
. Instead, it was Clifford who proved to be the hero as he scored the vital goal for Cork with four minutes to go. At the full-time whistle Cork led by 1-9 to 1-6. While Christy Ring captured a record-breaking eighth All-Ireland medal, Clifford picked up his first, and only, All-Ireland
winners' medal.
Clifford played for Cork again in 1955, however, an injury brought his inter-county career to a premature end shortly afterwards.
of the Cork senior hurling team for the 1982-83 season. That year he guided Cork and helped them to retain their Munster title following a facile 3-22 to 0-12 victory over Waterford
. Cork subsequently qualified for the All-Ireland final with Kilkenny
providing the opposition. 'The Cats' 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. Clifford resigned as manager shortly afterwards.
Clifford did not stay away from inter-county management for long as he subsequently took charge of the Cork minor hurling team. In 1985 Clifford's minors captured the Munster title following a 1-13 to 1-8 victory over arch-rivals Tipperary. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Wexford, however, Cork found the net three times to give Clifford's team a 3-10 to 0-12 win and the All-Ireland title.
At the end of 1985 Clifford was reappointed manager of the Cork senior team. In 1986 he guided Cork to a fifth consecutive Munster title following a 2-18 to 3-12 victory over Clare
. Clifford's Cork later faced Galway in the subsequent All-Ireland final. In a thrilling game the Munstermen hung on to win by four points, thanks to goals by John Fenton
, Tomás Mulcahy
(twice) and Kevin Hennessy
. This victory gave Clifford the unique distinction of winning senior All-Ireland titles as a player and as a manager while also winning minor All-Ireland titles as a player and as a manager. Cork lost their provincial crown in 1987 and Clifford resigned as manager in early 1988.
Clifford returned as manager of the Cork senior hurling team in late 1993. After two years in charge he resigned after securing no silverware.
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...
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...
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...
and player. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers
Glen 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:...
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1950s. Clifford later served as manager of the Cork senior team on three separate occasions in the 1980s and 1990s.
Club
Clifford first started playing 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 Fair Hill club in the North Parish Leagues in the 1940s. After much success at under-age levels here he subsequently joined the famous Glen Rovers
Glen 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:...
club. Clifford won his first two senior county titles
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....
in 1953 and 1954 before later winning several more in the late 1950s.
Inter-county
Clifford first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork minor hurling team in the early 1950s. He was captain of the team in 1951 as Cork trounced LimerickLimerick 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...
by 5-11 to 1-3 in the provincial decider, giving Clifford a Munster
Munster Minor Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Minor Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for the youngest competitors in the province of Munster in Ireland...
winners' medal. He later led his county 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...
for the All-Ireland final 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,...
. An entertaining hour of hurling took place, however, in the end Cork were victorious by 4-5 to 1-8. Not only did Clifford pick up a coveted 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...
minor winners' medal but he also had the honour of collecting the cup on behalf of his team.
Clifford later joined the Cork senior team where he enjoyed further success. He was a key member of the team in 1954 as Cork set out on their three-in-a-row trail. 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...
fell to Cork by 2-8 to 1-8 in the provincial final, giving Clifford a coveted 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....
winners' medal at senior level. A senior All-Ireland final appearance beckoned for the Glen Rovers man, with 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...
providing the opposition. A record attendance of nearly 85,000 people packed into Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
to witness a great battle between star forwards 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...
and Nicky Rackard
Nicky Rackard
Nicholas Rackard better known as Nicky or Nickey Rackard, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local Rathnure club and was a member of the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1940 until 1956...
. Instead, it was Clifford who proved to be the hero as he scored the vital goal for Cork with four minutes to go. At the full-time whistle Cork led by 1-9 to 1-6. While Christy Ring captured a record-breaking eighth All-Ireland medal, Clifford picked up his first, and only, 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.
Clifford played for Cork again in 1955, however, an injury brought his inter-county career to a premature end shortly afterwards.
Cork
In retirement from playing Clifford continued to have a keen interest in hurling as a selector and coach. He coached a number of clubs in Cork before being appointed managerManager (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...
of the Cork senior hurling team for the 1982-83 season. That year he guided Cork and helped them to retain their Munster title following a facile 3-22 to 0-12 victory over 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...
. Cork subsequently qualified for the All-Ireland final with 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...
providing the opposition. 'The Cats' 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. Clifford resigned as manager shortly afterwards.
Clifford did not stay away from inter-county management for long as he subsequently took charge of the Cork minor hurling team. In 1985 Clifford's minors captured the Munster title following a 1-13 to 1-8 victory over arch-rivals Tipperary. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Wexford, however, Cork found the net three times to give Clifford's team a 3-10 to 0-12 win and the All-Ireland title.
At the end of 1985 Clifford was reappointed manager of the Cork senior team. In 1986 he guided Cork to a fifth consecutive Munster title following a 2-18 to 3-12 victory over 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....
. Clifford's Cork later faced Galway in the subsequent All-Ireland final. In a thrilling game the Munstermen hung on to win by four points, thanks to goals by John Fenton
John Fenton
John Fenton is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Midleton and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1975 until 1987. Fenton is regarded as one of Cork's greatest-ever players.-Club:Fenton played his club hurling with his local Midleton club and...
, Tomás Mulcahy
Tomás Mulcahy
Tomás Mulcahy is an Irish hurling manager and former player. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1983 until 1994. Mulcahy currently works as a pundit with The Sunday Game...
(twice) and Kevin Hennessy
Kevin Hennessy
Kevin Hennessy is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Midleton and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1982 until 1993.-Club:...
. This victory gave Clifford the unique distinction of winning senior All-Ireland titles as a player and as a manager while also winning minor All-Ireland titles as a player and as a manager. Cork lost their provincial crown in 1987 and Clifford resigned as manager in early 1988.
Clifford returned as manager of the Cork senior hurling team in late 1993. After two years in charge he resigned after securing no silverware.