Noel O'Leary
Encyclopedia
Noel O'Leary is an Irish
sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football
as a defender with his local club Cill na Martra and has been a member of the Cork senior inter-county team since 2003.
In 2002 O'Leary enjoyed his first major success with Cill na Martra when he captured a divisional junior football championship winners' medal following a 2-10 to 1-9 victory over Grenagh
.
2003 saw Cill na Martra reach the divisional final for the second year in succession. Ballingeary
provided the opposition, however, their near neighbours could not match Cill na Martra's skill. A 0-12 to 1-7 score line gave O'Leary a second divisional winners' medal. Cill na Martra later represented their division in the county junior championship
. They reached the final that year and lined out against Carbery Rangers
. A 0-10 to 0-5 score line resulted in defeat for O'Leary's side.
By 1999 O'Leary had joined the Cork minor football team, however, he failed to secure a place on the starting fifteen. Because of this he collected his first Munster
minor winners' medal as a non-playing substitute. Cork trounced Kerry
by 2-16 to 1-9 on that occasion, however, 'the Rebels' were subsequently defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final.
In 2000 O'Leary secured a place in the half-back line on the Cork minor football team and Cork qualified for a second consecutive Munster decider. That year he won his first provincial winners' medal on the field of play following a 1-13 ro 0-14 defeat of arch-rivals Kerry. Cork later qualified for the All-Ireland final, with Mayo
providing the opposition. A close game followed, however, at the full-time whistle Cork were the champions by 2-12 to 0-13. The win gave O'Leary a coveted All-Ireland
minor winners' medal in his last appearance for Cork in that grade.
By 2001 O'Leary was an automatic choice for the Cork under-21 team. That year he won a Munster
title in that grade following a 1-12 to 0-8 defeat of Limerick
. Cork were subsequently defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final. O'Leary enjoyed no further success with the county under-21 footballers.
on that occasion. The year went from bad to worse as Cork crashed out of the championship in the All-Ireland qualifiers.
In 2004 O'Leary's side fared no better. After losing to Kerry in the Munster semi-final Cork had to maneuver through the qualifiers again. He subsequently played no part in an unconvincing victory over Clare
which was followed by a humiliating 0-18 to 0-12 defeat by Fermanagh
.
By 2005 the Cork footballers had regrouped and reached the Munster final for the first time in three years. Once again Kerry, the reigning All-Ireland champions, provided the opposition. The game was a close affair, however, O'Leary's side were narrowly defeated by just 1-11 to 0-11. This did not mean the end of Cork’s All-Ireland ambitions. After winning their next two games ‘the Rebels’ qualified for an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Kerry. In an embarrassing game of football for Cork, O'Leary's side were trounced by thirteen points on a score line of 1-19 to 0-9.
In 2006 O'Leary found himself on the fringes of the Cork team once again. He played no part in the team's 1-12 to 0-9 defeat of Kerry in the Munster final. The quirks of the championship saw Cork face Kerry again in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final for the third time in five seasons. O'Leary playe din that game, however, in a similar pattern to previous encounters Cork failed to beat Kerry at Croke Park
. A 0-16 to 0-10 score line resulted in Cork being knocked out of the championship.
In 2007 Cork were out to atone for their defeats by Kerry the previous year. Both sides met in the provincial decider for the third year in succession. Cork gave a good account of themselves, however, Kerry could not be beaten and O'Leary's side went down on a 1-15 to 1-13 score line. Cork later did well in the subsequent All-Ireland series and finally qualified for the All-Ireland final after an eight year absence. There was some doubt over O'Leary's participation in the game as he had been caught on television cameras striking Graham Geraghty in the All-Ireland semi-final against Meath
. In the end he was cleared to play, however, in a cruel twist Kerry were the opponents. While the first-half was played on an even keel, 'the Kingdom' ran riot in the second-half and a rout ensued. Goalkeeper Alan Quirke
came in for much criticism after conceding some easy goals. At the full-time whistle Cork were trounced by 3-13 to 1-9.
In 2008 Cork gained a modicum of revenge on Kerry when the sides met again in that year’s Munster final. O'Leary, however, played no part in the remarkable 1-16 to 1-11 victory. Both sides met again in the All-Ireland semi-final, however, after a thrilling draw and a replay Kerry were the team that advanced to the championship decider.
In 2009 Cork were earmarked as potential All-Ireland contenders. After drawing with Kerry in the provincial semi-final the replay proved much more conclusive and ended in a victory for 'the Rebels'. The game was not without incident as O'Leary was sent to the line for blowing Paul Galvin
to the ground with a beautiful right hook. The Kerry player was also red-carded for starting the episode. Because of this O'Leary missed Cork's subsequent Munster final triumph over Limerick.
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 Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
as a defender with his local club Cill na Martra and has been a member of the Cork senior inter-county team since 2003.
Club
O'Leary plays his local club football with his local club in Cill na Martra and has enjoyed some success.In 2002 O'Leary enjoyed his first major success with Cill na Martra when he captured a divisional junior football championship winners' medal following a 2-10 to 1-9 victory over Grenagh
Grenagh GAA
Grenagh GAA is a Gaelic Football and hurling club based in the village of Grenagh in Cork, Ireland. The club participates in Cork GAA competitions and in Muskerry board competitions...
.
2003 saw Cill na Martra reach the divisional final for the second year in succession. Ballingeary
Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh GAA
Ballingeary GAA is a Gaelic football club based in the village of Ballingeary, in County Cork, Ireland.The club is a member of Cork GAA and Muskerry divisional board.-Honours:* Cork Intermediate Football Championship Winners 2006...
provided the opposition, however, their near neighbours could not match Cill na Martra's skill. A 0-12 to 1-7 score line gave O'Leary a second divisional winners' medal. Cill na Martra later represented their division in the county junior championship
Cork Junior Football Championship
The Cork Junior Football Championship is a Gaelic football competition in Cork. The competition was originally established in 1895 as a competition for second teams of clubs playing in the Cork Senior Football Championship. This is the fourth level of football clubs, under Senior, Premier...
. They reached the final that year and lined out against Carbery Rangers
Carbery Rangers
Carbery Rangers is a Gaelic football club in Rosscarbery in County Cork, Ireland.It plays in games organized by Cork county board. It is one of the oldest clubs in Cork, having been founded in 1887. It currently competes in the Cork Senior Football Championship, and in the West Cork or Carbery GAA...
. A 0-10 to 0-5 score line resulted in defeat for O'Leary's side.
Minor & under-21
O'Leary first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork under-16 team. He won a Munster title in this grade before going on to enjoy much more success with the Cork footballers at more advanced grades.By 1999 O'Leary had joined the Cork minor football team, however, he failed to secure a place on the starting fifteen. Because of this he collected his first Munster
Munster Minor Football Championship
The Munster Minor Football Championship is the Minor "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in the province of Munster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Munster Council. The current Munster Minor football champions are Tipperary. Clare won the inaugural...
minor winners' medal as a non-playing substitute. Cork trounced Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry 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 Kerry...
by 2-16 to 1-9 on that occasion, however, 'the Rebels' were subsequently defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final.
In 2000 O'Leary secured a place in the half-back line on the Cork minor football team and Cork qualified for a second consecutive Munster decider. That year he won his first provincial winners' medal on the field of play following a 1-13 ro 0-14 defeat of arch-rivals Kerry. Cork later qualified for the All-Ireland final, with Mayo
Mayo GAA
The Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...
providing the opposition. A close game followed, however, at the full-time whistle Cork were the champions by 2-12 to 0-13. The win gave O'Leary a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Minor Football Championship
The All-Ireland Minor Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for under-18 competitors of the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
minor winners' medal in his last appearance for Cork in that grade.
By 2001 O'Leary was an automatic choice for the Cork under-21 team. That year he won a Munster
Munster Under-21 Football Championship
The Munster Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in the province of Munster, in Ireland....
title in that grade following a 1-12 to 0-8 defeat of 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...
. Cork were subsequently defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final. O'Leary enjoyed no further success with the county under-21 footballers.
Junior
In 2001 he won Munster and All Ireland Championship medals with the Cork Junior team.Senior
In 2003 O'Leary made his senior championship debut for Cork. 'The Rebels' were trounced by 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...
on that occasion. The year went from bad to worse as Cork crashed out of the championship in the All-Ireland qualifiers.
In 2004 O'Leary's side fared no better. After losing to Kerry in the Munster semi-final Cork had to maneuver through the qualifiers again. He subsequently played no part in an unconvincing 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....
which was followed by a humiliating 0-18 to 0-12 defeat by Fermanagh
Fermanagh GAA
The Fermanagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Fermanagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. The county board is also responsible for the Fermanagh inter-county teams-History:...
.
By 2005 the Cork footballers had regrouped and reached the Munster final for the first time in three years. Once again Kerry, the reigning All-Ireland champions, provided the opposition. The game was a close affair, however, O'Leary's side were narrowly defeated by just 1-11 to 0-11. This did not mean the end of Cork’s All-Ireland ambitions. After winning their next two games ‘the Rebels’ qualified for an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Kerry. In an embarrassing game of football for Cork, O'Leary's side were trounced by thirteen points on a score line of 1-19 to 0-9.
In 2006 O'Leary found himself on the fringes of the Cork team once again. He played no part in the team's 1-12 to 0-9 defeat of Kerry in the Munster final. The quirks of the championship saw Cork face Kerry again in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final for the third time in five seasons. O'Leary playe din that game, however, in a similar pattern to previous encounters Cork failed to beat Kerry 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...
. A 0-16 to 0-10 score line resulted in Cork being knocked out of the championship.
In 2007 Cork were out to atone for their defeats by Kerry the previous year. Both sides met in the provincial decider for the third year in succession. Cork gave a good account of themselves, however, Kerry could not be beaten and O'Leary's side went down on a 1-15 to 1-13 score line. Cork later did well in the subsequent All-Ireland series and finally qualified for the All-Ireland final after an eight year absence. There was some doubt over O'Leary's participation in the game as he had been caught on television cameras striking Graham Geraghty in the All-Ireland semi-final against Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
. In the end he was cleared to play, however, in a cruel twist Kerry were the opponents. While the first-half was played on an even keel, 'the Kingdom' ran riot in the second-half and a rout ensued. Goalkeeper Alan Quirke
Alan Quirke
Alan Quirke is an Irish sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football with his local club Valley Rovers and has been a member of the Cork senior inter-county team since 1999.-Club:...
came in for much criticism after conceding some easy goals. At the full-time whistle Cork were trounced by 3-13 to 1-9.
In 2008 Cork gained a modicum of revenge on Kerry when the sides met again in that year’s Munster final. O'Leary, however, played no part in the remarkable 1-16 to 1-11 victory. Both sides met again in the All-Ireland semi-final, however, after a thrilling draw and a replay Kerry were the team that advanced to the championship decider.
In 2009 Cork were earmarked as potential All-Ireland contenders. After drawing with Kerry in the provincial semi-final the replay proved much more conclusive and ended in a victory for 'the Rebels'. The game was not without incident as O'Leary was sent to the line for blowing Paul Galvin
Paul Galvin
Paul Vincent Galvin was one of the two founders of telecommunications company Motorola. Founded as Galvin Manufacturing Corporation on September 25, 1928, Motorola is now a leader in communications equipment.-Biography:...
to the ground with a beautiful right hook. The Kerry player was also red-carded for starting the episode. Because of this O'Leary missed Cork's subsequent Munster final triumph over Limerick.