Pat Delaney (Offaly hurler)
Encyclopedia
Pat Delaney is a retired Irish
hurling
manager
and former player. He played hurling with his local club Kinnitty and with the Offaly
senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s. Delaney later served as manager of the Laois
senior hurling team from 2001 until 2002.
with his local Kinnitty club and enjoyed much success. He captured his first senior county title in 1978. The 1980s saw Kinnitty become one of the strongest club teams in the county. Delaney captured three county titles in-a-row in 1983, 1984 and 1985. These victories later saw Kinnitty play in the final of the Leinster club championship, however, Delaney’s side were defeated on all three occasions.
minor and under-21 hurling teams. He had little success in these grades and little more was expected when he joined the senior grade as Offaly were down the pecking order in terms of hurling in Leinster. All this changed in 1980 as Delaney’s Offaly side came from nowhere to defeat All-Ireland champions Kilkenny
in the Leinster final. It was Offaly’s first-ever senior provincial title; however, only about 8,000 people were present at Croke Park
to witness the historic occasion. Offaly’s dream season came to an end in the All-Ireland semi-final as Galway
defeated Delaney’s side by two points in the first-ever meeting between these two bordering counties. The following year Offaly proved that their victory wasn’t a fluke as the team retained the Leinster
title. This victory allowed Delaney’s side to advance to their first-ever All-Ireland final. For the second year in-a-row Offaly faced Galway in the business end of the championship. The game was a close affair with Galway leading by six points at one stage. Galway failed to score for the last twenty-three minutes as Johnny Flaherty
handpassed the winning goal for Offaly. It was the county’s first All-Ireland
title. Delaney’s performance throughout the championship failed to earn him an All-Star award; however, he was named as the Texaco Hurler of the Year
. Offaly surrendered their Leinster crown to Kilkenny for the next two seasons; however, Delaney captured a third provincial medal in 1984. A defeat of Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final allowed Offaly to advance to the centenary year All-Ireland final. Cork provided the opposition on that occasion. It was the first-ever meeting between these two sides in a very special final at Semple Stadium
in Thurles
. The game was a close affair in the first-half, however, Cork captured goals in the second-half to clinch the victory. In 1985 Delaney captured a fourth Leinster title as Offaly retained their provincial dominance. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Offaly take on Galway for the third time of the 1980s. In an exciting game which saw a Joe Dooley
goal being disallowed, Offaly captured the victory on a score line of 2-11 to 1-12. Not only had Delaney captured a second All-Ireland medal but he was also presented with an All-Star
award. Delaney retired from inter-county hurling shortly after this victory.
in the inter-provincial hurling competition, however, he never won a Railway Cup medal.
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 former player. He played hurling with his local club Kinnitty and with the 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...
senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s. Delaney later served as manager of the 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:...
senior hurling team from 2001 until 2002.
Club
Delaney 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 Kinnitty club and enjoyed much success. He captured his first senior county title in 1978. The 1980s saw Kinnitty become one of the strongest club teams in the county. Delaney captured three county titles in-a-row in 1983, 1984 and 1985. These victories later saw Kinnitty play in the final of the Leinster club championship, however, Delaney’s side were defeated on all three occasions.
Inter-county
Delaney first came to prominence on the inter-county scene in the 1970s as a member of the OffalyOffaly 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...
minor and under-21 hurling teams. He had little success in these grades and little more was expected when he joined the senior grade as Offaly were down the pecking order in terms of hurling in Leinster. All this changed in 1980 as Delaney’s Offaly side came from nowhere to defeat All-Ireland champions 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 Leinster final. It was Offaly’s first-ever senior provincial title; however, only about 8,000 people were present 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...
to witness the historic occasion. Offaly’s dream season came to an end in the All-Ireland semi-final as 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,...
defeated Delaney’s side by two points in the first-ever meeting between these two bordering counties. The following year Offaly proved that their victory wasn’t a fluke as the team retained the 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. This victory allowed Delaney’s side to advance to their first-ever All-Ireland final. For the second year in-a-row Offaly faced Galway in the business end of the championship. The game was a close affair with Galway leading by six points at one stage. Galway failed to score for the last twenty-three minutes as Johnny Flaherty
Johnny Flaherty
Johnny Flaherty is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Kinnitty and with the Offaly senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s.-Club:...
handpassed the winning goal for Offaly. It was the county’s 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....
title. Delaney’s performance throughout the championship failed to earn him an All-Star award; however, he was named as the Texaco Hurler of the Year
Texaco Hurler of the Year
The Texaco Hurler of the Year is a hurling award, created in 1958, that honours the achievements of a hurler of outstanding excellence. The award is part of the Texaco Sportstars Awards, in which Irish sportspeople from all fields are honoured....
. Offaly surrendered their Leinster crown to Kilkenny for the next two seasons; however, Delaney captured a third provincial medal in 1984. A defeat of Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final allowed Offaly to advance to the centenary year All-Ireland final. Cork provided the opposition on that occasion. It was the first-ever meeting between these two sides in a very special final at Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium, located in Thurles, North Tipperary, Ireland, is the home of hurling for Tipperary GAA and for the province of Munster. It is the second largest stadium in Ireland with a capacity of 53,500....
in Thurles
Thurles
Thurles is a town situated in North Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Eliogarty and is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly...
. The game was a close affair in the first-half, however, Cork captured goals in the second-half to clinch the victory. In 1985 Delaney captured a fourth Leinster title as Offaly retained their provincial dominance. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Offaly take on Galway for the third time of the 1980s. In an exciting game which saw a Joe Dooley
Joe Dooley
Joe Dooley is an Irish former hurlers and manager.Regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, Dooley enjoyed a successful playing career at club level with Seir Kieran and remains the only Offaly player to have won three All-Ireland titles...
goal being disallowed, Offaly captured the victory on a score line of 2-11 to 1-12. Not only had Delaney captured a second All-Ireland medal but he was also presented with 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. Delaney retired from inter-county hurling shortly after this victory.
Provincial
Delaney also lined out with LeinsterLeinster 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...
in the inter-provincial hurling competition, however, he never won a Railway Cup medal.