Mark Foley (Limerick hurler)
Encyclopedia
Mark Foley is an Irish
sportsperson. He plays hurling
with his local club Adare
and was a member of the Limerick
senior inter-county team from 1995 until 2009.
in 1975 and when he was nine months old his family moved to Adare
, County Limerick
. He was born into a family that had a great interest in Gaelic games
. His father would later serve as a selector with the Limerick
senior hurling team. Foley was educated locally and later attended Mary Immaculate College in Limerick
where he studied to be a primary school teacher. Here he played on both the college hurling
and college football
teams.
with his local Adare
team. He has had much success with the club, winning under-12, under-14, under-16 and minor county medals throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 2001 and 2002. Foley won back-to-back senior county championship
medals with Adare. They were beaten in the 2003 final by Patrickswell
. In 2007 he (and Adare) won a third county senior championship and a fourth in 2008.
. In the early 1990s he played on both the minor and under-21 teams, however, he had little success. He later joined the senior side and was a member of the panel when Limerick won the Munster Championship
in 1994. The team later lost the All-Ireland
final to Offaly
in what has become known as 'the five-minute final.' In 1995 Foley made his championship debut against Tipperary
, however, Limerick later lost the Munster final to Clare
. The following year he won his first Munster title as a full member of the team and Limerick later qualified to play Wexford
in the All-Ireland final. For the second time in three years Limerick left Croke Park
empty handed. There was some consolation for Foley as his performance in the championship earned him an All-Star
award and he was also crowned the All Stars Young Hurler of the Year.
In 1997 Foley won a National Hurling League
medal with Limerick, however, the following decade saw Limerick’s senior hurling fortunes take a dramatic downturn. In spite of this Foley received a second All-Star award in 2001. Six years later in 2007 Limerick had an epic battle with Tipp in the provincial championship. After a second replay Foley's side emerged victorious and qualified to play Waterford
in the Munster final. Although Limerick lost on that occasion the team showed that they were not a pushover. Limerick later gained their revenge on Waterford by defeating them in the All-Ireland semi-final. This victory allowed Foley's side to play Kilkenny
in the championship decider. Unfortunately, Limerick got off to a bad start with goalkeeper Brian Murray
letting in two goals in the first ten minutes. 'The Cats', however, went on to win the game by six points.
In the 2009 All-Ireland Championship quarter-final against Dublin
, Foley became Limerick's most "capped" player of all time. It was his 46th Championship appearance for Limerick, overtaking Timmy Ryan's
record which had stood since 1946. He led his team as far as the All-Ireland semi finals before being knocked out by Tipperary.
in the Railway Cup inter-provincial competition. He captured a winners medal in this competition in 1997 as Munster defeated Leinster
.
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 plays 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 Adare
Adare GAA
Adare GAA club is a GAA club based in Adare, west County Limerick, Republic of Ireland. Hurling is more popular in the village.Adare have reached the county senior hurling final on 11 occasions, most recently in 2009 when they defeated Na Piarsaigh...
and was a member of the 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...
senior inter-county team from 1995 until 2009.
Early life
Mark Foley was born in CorkCork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
in 1975 and when he was nine months old his family moved to Adare
Adare
-General information:Adare's origin is as a settlement by a crossing point on the river Maigue. It is situated 16 km from Limerick City. Renowned as one of Ireland's prettiest villages, Adare is designated as a Heritage Town by the Irish government...
, County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
. He was born into a family that had a great interest in Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
. His father would later serve as a selector with the 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...
senior hurling team. Foley was educated locally and later attended Mary Immaculate College in Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
where he studied to be a primary school teacher. Here he played on both the college 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...
and college football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
teams.
Club
Foley plays 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 Adare
Adare GAA
Adare GAA club is a GAA club based in Adare, west County Limerick, Republic of Ireland. Hurling is more popular in the village.Adare have reached the county senior hurling final on 11 occasions, most recently in 2009 when they defeated Na Piarsaigh...
team. He has had much success with the club, winning under-12, under-14, under-16 and minor county medals throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 2001 and 2002. Foley won back-to-back senior county championship
Limerick Senior Hurling Championship
The Limerick Senior Hurling Championship is an annual club competition between the top Limerick Clubs. The winners of the Limerick Championship qualify to represent their county in the Munster Club Championship and in turn, go on to the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship...
medals with Adare. They were beaten in the 2003 final by Patrickswell
Patrickswell GAA
Patrickswell GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the small village of Patrickswell in County Limerick, Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with the game of hurling.-Honours:*Munster Senior Club Hurling Championships: 2...
. In 2007 he (and Adare) won a third county senior championship and a fourth in 2008.
Inter-county
Foley has played hurling at all levels with 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...
. In the early 1990s he played on both the minor and under-21 teams, however, he had little success. He later joined the senior side and was a member of the panel when Limerick won the Munster Championship
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....
in 1994. The team later lost the 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....
final to 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...
in what has become known as 'the five-minute final.' In 1995 Foley made his championship debut against 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...
, however, Limerick later lost the Munster final to 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....
. The following year he won his first Munster title as a full member of the team and Limerick later qualified to play 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 All-Ireland final. For the second time in three years Limerick left Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
empty handed. There was some consolation for Foley as his performance in the championship earned him an 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 and he was also crowned the All Stars Young Hurler of the Year.
In 1997 Foley won 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 with Limerick, however, the following decade saw Limerick’s senior hurling fortunes take a dramatic downturn. In spite of this Foley received a second All-Star award in 2001. Six years later in 2007 Limerick had an epic battle with Tipp in the provincial championship. After a second replay Foley's side emerged victorious and qualified to play 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 the Munster final. Although Limerick lost on that occasion the team showed that they were not a pushover. Limerick later gained their revenge on Waterford by defeating them in the All-Ireland semi-final. This victory allowed Foley's side to play 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...
in the championship decider. Unfortunately, Limerick got off to a bad start with goalkeeper Brian Murray
Brian Murray (hurler)
Brian Murray is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Patrickswell and was a member of the Limerick senior inter-county team from 2006 until 2009.-Club:...
letting in two goals in the first ten minutes. 'The Cats', however, went on to win the game by six points.
In the 2009 All-Ireland Championship quarter-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...
, Foley became Limerick's most "capped" player of all time. It was his 46th Championship appearance for Limerick, overtaking Timmy Ryan's
Timmy Ryan
Timmy Ryan was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Ahane and with the Limerick senior inter-county team in the 1930s and 1940s...
record which had stood since 1946. He led his team as far as the All-Ireland semi finals before being knocked out by Tipperary.
Provincial
Foley has 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 Railway Cup inter-provincial competition. He captured a winners medal in this competition in 1997 as Munster defeated 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...
.