Martin Coogan
Encyclopedia
Martin Coogan is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Castlecomer and with the Kilkenny
senior inter-county team from 1961 until 1973.
senior hurling team in 1961. The following year he tasted his first major success when he won a National Hurling League
medal with his county. It was Kilkenny’s first league title since 1933. In 1963 Coogan won his first Leinster
title before lining out in his first All-Ireland final at Croke Park
. Waterford
provided the opposition on that occasion, however, Eddie Keher
's tally of fourteen points guaranteed a victory for Kilkenny and a first All-Ireland
medal for Coogan. In 1964 Coogan won a second Leinster title following another huge win over Dublin
. Tipperary
later provided the opposition in the All-Ireland final, however, in spite of Kilkenny being the pundits’ favourites the men from Munster
completely overpowered Coogan's side on a score line of 5-13 to 2-8. Kilkenny lost their provincial crown in 1965, however, the team bounced back in 1966 with Coogan collecting a second National League medal and a third Leinster title. Kilkenny later faced Cork in the All-Ireland final for the first time since 1947 and, once again, the Leinster champions were the red-hot favourites over an unfancied Cork side. The young 'Rebels' ambushed Kilkenny in the game and the All-Ireland title went to Cork for the first time in twelve years.
The following year Kilkenny continued their provincial dominance with Coogan picking up a fourth Leinster title before lining out in a fourth All-Ireland final at Croke Park. Tipperary were Kilkenny’s opponents on the day, however, ‘the Cats’ had goals at vital times from Paddy Moran
, Martin Brennan
and Tom Walsh to lay to rest a Tipperary bogey that had lasted since 1922. Kilkenny won on a score line of 3-8 to 2-7 and Coogan collected a second All-Ireland medal. Wexford put an end to Kilkenny’s hopes of retaining the title in 1968, however, the Noresiders bounced back the following year with Coogan collecting a fifth Leinster medal. Cork faced Kilkenny in the subsequent All-Ireland final and revenge for 1966 was foremost in the minds of the Kilkenny team. For a while it looked as if the Leesiders would triumph over their great rivals once again, however, five points from Kilkenny in the last seven minutes gave Coogan a third All-Ireland medal.
1971 saw Coogan capture a sixth provincial medal as Kilkenny began to assert their dominance over Wexford. The Leinster champions later played Tipperary in the only eighty minute final between these great rivals. After a thrilling and exciting game Tipp emerged the victors on a score line of 5-17 to 5-14. In 1972 Coogan won a seventh Leinster title following a victory over Wexford in a replay of the provincial final. Once again, Cork provided the opposition in the All-Ireland final, a game which is often considered to be one of the classic games of the modern era. In the game itself Coogan came on as a substitute as Kilkenny came from behind to win the game comfortably. This was Coogan's last major success and he retired from inter-county hurling in 1973.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
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...
with his local club Castlecomer and with the 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...
senior inter-county team from 1961 until 1973.
Inter-county
Coogan first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the KilkennyKilkenny 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...
senior hurling team in 1961. The following year he tasted his first major success when he 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 his county. It was Kilkenny’s first league title since 1933. In 1963 Coogan won his first 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....
title before lining out in his first All-Ireland final at Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
. 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...
provided the opposition on that occasion, however, Eddie Keher
Eddie Keher
Edward Peter Keher , better known as Eddie Keher, is a retired Irish hurling manager and former player. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game....
's tally of fourteen points guaranteed a victory for Kilkenny and a 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 for Coogan. In 1964 Coogan won a second Leinster title following another huge win over 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...
. 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...
later provided the opposition in the All-Ireland final, however, in spite of Kilkenny being the pundits’ favourites the men from Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
completely overpowered Coogan's side on a score line of 5-13 to 2-8. Kilkenny lost their provincial crown in 1965, however, the team bounced back in 1966 with Coogan collecting a second National League medal and a third Leinster title. Kilkenny later faced Cork in the All-Ireland final for the first time since 1947 and, once again, the Leinster champions were the red-hot favourites over an unfancied Cork side. The young 'Rebels' ambushed Kilkenny in the game and the All-Ireland title went to Cork for the first time in twelve years.
The following year Kilkenny continued their provincial dominance with Coogan picking up a fourth Leinster title before lining out in a fourth All-Ireland final at Croke Park. Tipperary were Kilkenny’s opponents on the day, however, ‘the Cats’ had goals at vital times from Paddy Moran
Paddy Moran (hurler)
Paddy Moran is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Bennettsbridge and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1963 until 1972.-Early life:...
, Martin Brennan
Martin Brennan (hurler)
Martin Brennan is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Erin's Own and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 19678 until 1969.-References:...
and Tom Walsh to lay to rest a Tipperary bogey that had lasted since 1922. Kilkenny won on a score line of 3-8 to 2-7 and Coogan collected a second All-Ireland medal. Wexford put an end to Kilkenny’s hopes of retaining the title in 1968, however, the Noresiders bounced back the following year with Coogan collecting a fifth Leinster medal. Cork faced Kilkenny in the subsequent All-Ireland final and revenge for 1966 was foremost in the minds of the Kilkenny team. For a while it looked as if the Leesiders would triumph over their great rivals once again, however, five points from Kilkenny in the last seven minutes gave Coogan a third All-Ireland medal.
1971 saw Coogan capture a sixth provincial medal as Kilkenny began to assert their dominance over Wexford. The Leinster champions later played Tipperary in the only eighty minute final between these great rivals. After a thrilling and exciting game Tipp emerged the victors on a score line of 5-17 to 5-14. In 1972 Coogan won a seventh Leinster title following a victory over Wexford in a replay of the provincial final. Once again, Cork provided the opposition in the All-Ireland final, a game which is often considered to be one of the classic games of the modern era. In the game itself Coogan came on as a substitute as Kilkenny came from behind to win the game comfortably. This was Coogan's last major success and he retired from inter-county hurling in 1973.