Micka Brennan
Encyclopedia
Micka Brennan was an Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Sarsfield’s and with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1931 until 1943.
, County Kilkenny
. He later attended the North Monastery
school in Cork
, a virtual hurling academy for young players, where he enjoyed more success.
with his local Sarsfield’s club and enjoyed some success. He won a minor county title in 1931, however, it would be 1951 before Brennan won a much sought-after senior county medal
with Sar’s. It was the club’s first senior success. In an unprecedented display of sportsmanship the defeated Glen Rovers
players chaired Brennan off the field. In 1957 when Sarsfield’s won a second county title Brennan was chairman of the club and was heavily involved in coaching the team
title. The subsequent All-Ireland final against Kilkenny
has gone down in history as the ‘thunder and lightning’ final as the climax of the game was played in a tremendous downpour. Brennan, however, ended up on the losing side as victory went to Kilkenny on that occasion. The following year Cork surrendered their provincial crown, however, Brennan captured a National Hurling League
medal. He added a second league medal to his collection in 1941, however, that year the All-Ireland Championship was severely hampered due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Tipperary
and Kilkenny
. As a result of this Cork were declared the Munster champions after defeating Limerick
and automatically qualified to play Dublin
in the All-Ireland final. The game turned into a rout as Cork beat ‘the Dubs’ by twenty points and Brennan collected his first All-Ireland
medal. In the delayed Munster final, however, Tipperary
defeated Cork. Brennan played no part in the 1942 championship
, however, he returned in 1943 to capture a second Munster medal. He later added a second All-Ireland medal to his collection following Cork’s huge defeat of Antrim
in the final. In 1944 Brennan was a sub when Cork retained their provincial and All-Ireland titles. Brennan retired from hurling shortly afterwards, however, he was recalled for a tournament game against Laois
in 1951 and scored six goals in the process.
Brennan’s other honours include Railway Cup honours with Munster
in 1937, 1939 and 1940.
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...
with his local club Sarsfield’s and with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1931 until 1943.
Early life
Micka Brennan was born in CastlecomerCastlecomer
Castlecomer is a town in the barony of Fassadinin, County Kilkenny in Ireland.The Irish name for the town translates to "The castle at the confluence of the rivers"; the "rivers" refers to the rivers Deen, Brocagh and Clohogue while the "castle" refers to the castle built by the Normans in 1171...
, County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Kilkenny. The territory of the county was the core part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraige which in turn was the core of the Diocese of...
. He later attended the North Monastery
The North Monastery
The North Monastery is a collection of primary, secondary and a Gaelcholáiste schools located at Our Lady's Mount, Cork City, Republic of Ireland.-History:...
school in Cork
Cork (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...
, a virtual hurling academy for young players, where he enjoyed more success.
Club
Brennan 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 Sarsfield’s club and enjoyed some success. He won a minor county title in 1931, however, it would be 1951 before Brennan won a much sought-after senior county medal
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....
with Sar’s. It was the club’s first senior success. In an unprecedented display of sportsmanship the defeated 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:...
players chaired Brennan off the field. In 1957 when Sarsfield’s won a second county title Brennan was chairman of the club and was heavily involved in coaching the team
Inter-county
Brennan first came to prominence on the Cork senior inter-county team in the early 1930s. Unfortunately, it was a lean time for the Cork team. In 1939 Brennan’s long wait for success ended when he won his first MunsterMunster 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....
title. The subsequent All-Ireland final 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...
has gone down in history as the ‘thunder and lightning’ final as the climax of the game was played in a tremendous downpour. Brennan, however, ended up on the losing side as victory went to Kilkenny on that occasion. The following year Cork surrendered their provincial crown, however, Brennan captured 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. He added a second league medal to his collection in 1941, however, that year the All-Ireland Championship was severely hampered due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
and Kilkenny
County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Kilkenny. The territory of the county was the core part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraige which in turn was the core of the Diocese of...
. As a result of this Cork were declared the Munster champions after defeating 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...
and automatically qualified to play 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...
in the All-Ireland final. The game turned into a rout as Cork beat ‘the Dubs’ by twenty points and Brennan collected 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. In the delayed Munster final, however, 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...
defeated Cork. Brennan played no part in the 1942 championship
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1942
The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1942 was the 56th series of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, Ireland's premier hurling knock-out competition...
, however, he returned in 1943 to capture a second Munster medal. He later added a second All-Ireland medal to his collection following Cork’s huge 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...
in the final. In 1944 Brennan was a sub when Cork retained their provincial and All-Ireland titles. Brennan retired from hurling shortly afterwards, however, he was recalled for a tournament game against 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:...
in 1951 and scored six goals in the process.
Brennan’s other honours include Railway Cup honours with Munster
Munster 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 1937, 1939 and 1940.