Pat Hegarty
Encyclopedia
Pat Hegarty is an Irish
retired sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Youghal
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1969 until 1975.
and enjoyed some success. In 1965 he was a member of the club's minor hurling team that reached the final of the county championship
. City club Piarsaigh
provided the opposition and were much too strong for the east Cork outfit. A 5-7 to 1-4 score line resulted in defeat for Hegarty.
Three years later in 1968 Hegarty lined out with his club in the final of the county intermediate championship
. The rivals were city-based club St. Vincent's
, however, on this occasion Hegarty's side were victorious. A 2-11 to 1-12 score line gave the club the county title at intermediate level.
Instead of advancing to the senior grade, Youghal decided to remain at intermediate level for the following season as well. It was a wise decision as the club qualified for a second consecutive county final. Cobh
provided the opposition on that occasion, however, Youghal's ability to score goals proved the deciding factor. A 3-9 to 0-13 win gave Hegarty a second county intermediate title.
By 1972 Youghal were playing in the senior championship
and even reached the final. Club kingpins Glen Rovers
provided the opposition and proved mor ethan a match for Hegarty's side. A 3-15 to 1-10 score line resulted in defeat for Youghal.
, a campaign which saw Cork reach the final. Reigning All-Ireland champions Wexford
were the opponents on that occasion, however, Hegarty's side triumphed by 3-12 to 1-14 to take the National League title. This victory gave Cork a huge boost going into the Munster
campaign where the team qualified to meet Tipperary
in the final. Cork were out to avenge the nine-point defeat administered by the same side in 1968 while Tipp were out to capture a third provincial title in-a-row. The game was a major triumph for Cork as ‘the Rebels’ won by 4-6 to 0-9 and Hegarty collected a first Munster championship medal. This victory paved the way for an All-Ireland showdown with Kilkenny
. Cork were the bookies' favourites to take the title and justified this by taking an early lead. Things got better for Cork after Kilkenny forward Pat Delaney
left the field on a stretcher. ‘The Rebels’ led ‘the Cats’ coming into the last quarter, however, Kilkenny scored five unanswered points in the last seven minutes to win by 2-15 to 2-9.
In 1970 Cork were still regarded as one of the best teams in the country and expectations were high. At the start of the year Cork defeated New York
with an aggregate score of 5-21 to 6-16 to take the National League title for a second consecutive year. Once again Cork qualified for the Munster final where Tipperary provided the opposition. It was the first eighty minute final in the history of the provincial championship and a close affair developed. At the final whistle Cork were the victors by 3-10 to 3-8 and Hegarty captured his second Munster title. Cork later qualified for the All-Ireland final where Wexford were the opponents. That game broke all records with a huge 64-point score line. Cork's Eddie O'Brien
scored a hat-trick of goals to help his team to a huge 6-21 to 5-10 victory. It was Hegarty's first All-Ireland
winners' medal.
Defeat was Cork’s lot in 1971, however, the team bounced back in 1972. After securing a third National League title in four years, Hegarty later lined out in a third Munster final. Clare
were the opponents and an absolute rout took place as Cork recorded a huge 6-18 to 2-8 victory over the ‘banner’ men. It was Hegarty's third Munster winners’ medal. Another comprehensive victory over London
in the All-Ireland semi-final allowed Cork to advance to the championship decider where, once again, Kilkenny provided the opposition. The game itself is regarded as one of the classic games of the modern era. With time running out Cork were cruising to victory and led ‘the Cats’ by eight points. A Kilkenny fight-back, however, saw the team draw level with Cork and score a further seven points without reply to capture a 3-24 to 5-11 victory. It was a huge blow to a Cork team that seemed destined for victory.
After a disappointing season in 1973, Cork bounced back in 1974 with Hegarty adding a fourth National League medal to his collection. It was 1975, however, before Cork contested their next provincial decider, the first one to last for seventy minutes. A 3-14 to 0-12 victory over Limerick
gave Hegarty a fourth Munster title. Cork looked set for another All-Ireland appearance; however, Galway
had other ideas in the semi-final. A 4-15 to 2-19 score line gave Galway their first-ever championship win over Cork. This was Hegarty's last appearance with Cork.
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...
retired 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 Youghal
Youghal GAA
Youghal GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Youghal, in County Cork, Ireland. The club fields both Hurling and Gaelic football teams. The club is a member of Cork GAA and Imokilly divisional board.-History:...
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1969 until 1975.
Club
Hegarty played his club hurling with his local club in YoughalYoughal GAA
Youghal GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Youghal, in County Cork, Ireland. The club fields both Hurling and Gaelic football teams. The club is a member of Cork GAA and Imokilly divisional board.-History:...
and enjoyed some success. In 1965 he was a member of the club's minor hurling team that reached the final of the county championship
Cork Minor Hurling Championship
The Cork Minor Hurling Championship is a hurling competition for Gaelic Athletic Association players under the age of 18 in County Cork, Ireland. This competition is also known as the Cork Premier Minor Hurling Championship since 1992. It is played on a countywide basis. Prior to 1992, all teams...
. City club Piarsaigh
Na Piarsaigh GAA
Na Piarsaigh are a Hurling and Gaelic football club based in the north side of Cork City, Ireland. The club was founded in 1943.-Birth of the club:...
provided the opposition and were much too strong for the east Cork outfit. A 5-7 to 1-4 score line resulted in defeat for Hegarty.
Three years later in 1968 Hegarty lined out with his club in the final of the county intermediate championship
Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship
Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship is the second-tier hurling competition organized by the Cork Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The winners usually will play in the senior grade the following year for the Cork Senior Hurling Championship. This championship has been played for since 1909...
. The rivals were city-based club St. Vincent's
St. Vincent's GAA (Cork)
St. Vincent's GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Blarney Street and Sundays Well parts of Cork city, Ireland. It also includes in its catchment area Gurranabraher, Churchfield and Knocknaheeny. Teams are fielded in Gaelic football, hurling and camogie. The club participates in...
, however, on this occasion Hegarty's side were victorious. A 2-11 to 1-12 score line gave the club the county title at intermediate level.
Instead of advancing to the senior grade, Youghal decided to remain at intermediate level for the following season as well. It was a wise decision as the club qualified for a second consecutive county final. Cobh
Cobh GAA
Cobh GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Cobh, in County Cork, Ireland. The club fields both Hurling and Gaelic football teams. The club is a member of Cork GAA and Imokilly divisional board...
provided the opposition on that occasion, however, Youghal's ability to score goals proved the deciding factor. A 3-9 to 0-13 win gave Hegarty a second county intermediate title.
By 1972 Youghal were playing in the senior championship
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....
and even reached the final. Club kingpins 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:...
provided the opposition and proved mor ethan a match for Hegarty's side. A 3-15 to 1-10 score line resulted in defeat for Youghal.
Senior
Hegarty made his senior inter-county debut with Cork during the 1968-69 National LeagueNational 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...
, a campaign which saw Cork reach the final. Reigning All-Ireland champions 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...
were the opponents on that occasion, however, Hegarty's side triumphed by 3-12 to 1-14 to take the National League title. This victory gave Cork a huge boost going into the Munster
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....
campaign where the team qualified to meet 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...
in the final. Cork were out to avenge the nine-point defeat administered by the same side in 1968 while Tipp were out to capture a third provincial title in-a-row. The game was a major triumph for Cork as ‘the Rebels’ won by 4-6 to 0-9 and Hegarty collected a first Munster championship medal. This victory paved the way for an All-Ireland showdown with 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...
. Cork were the bookies' favourites to take the title and justified this by taking an early lead. Things got better for Cork after Kilkenny forward Pat Delaney
Pat Delaney (Kilkenny hurler)
Pat Delaney is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Fenians and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1969 until 1977.-Club:...
left the field on a stretcher. ‘The Rebels’ led ‘the Cats’ coming into the last quarter, however, Kilkenny scored five unanswered points in the last seven minutes to win by 2-15 to 2-9.
In 1970 Cork were still regarded as one of the best teams in the country and expectations were high. At the start of the year Cork defeated New York
New York GAA
The New York County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or New York GAA, is one of the county boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in the New York metropolitan area...
with an aggregate score of 5-21 to 6-16 to take the National League title for a second consecutive year. Once again Cork qualified for the Munster final where Tipperary provided the opposition. It was the first eighty minute final in the history of the provincial championship and a close affair developed. At the final whistle Cork were the victors by 3-10 to 3-8 and Hegarty captured his second Munster title. Cork later qualified for the All-Ireland final where Wexford were the opponents. That game broke all records with a huge 64-point score line. Cork's Eddie O'Brien
Eddie O'Brien (hurler)
Eddie O'Brien is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Passage and with the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1960s and 1970s.-Biography:...
scored a hat-trick of goals to help his team to a huge 6-21 to 5-10 victory. It was Hegarty'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....
winners' medal.
Defeat was Cork’s lot in 1971, however, the team bounced back in 1972. After securing a third National League title in four years, Hegarty later lined out in a third Munster final. 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....
were the opponents and an absolute rout took place as Cork recorded a huge 6-18 to 2-8 victory over the ‘banner’ men. It was Hegarty's third Munster winners’ medal. Another comprehensive victory over London
London GAA
The London County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or London GAA is one of the county boards outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in London...
in the All-Ireland semi-final allowed Cork to advance to the championship decider where, once again, Kilkenny provided the opposition. The game itself is regarded as one of the classic games of the modern era. With time running out Cork were cruising to victory and led ‘the Cats’ by eight points. A Kilkenny fight-back, however, saw the team draw level with Cork and score a further seven points without reply to capture a 3-24 to 5-11 victory. It was a huge blow to a Cork team that seemed destined for victory.
After a disappointing season in 1973, Cork bounced back in 1974 with Hegarty adding a fourth National League medal to his collection. It was 1975, however, before Cork contested their next provincial decider, the first one to last for seventy minutes. A 3-14 to 0-12 victory over 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...
gave Hegarty a fourth Munster title. Cork looked set for another All-Ireland appearance; however, 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,...
had other ideas in the semi-final. A 4-15 to 2-19 score line gave Galway their first-ever championship win over Cork. This was Hegarty's last appearance with Cork.