Seán Herbert
Encyclopedia
Seán Herbert is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Ahane
and with the Limerick
senior inter-county team from 1942 until 1953. Herbert is regarded as one of the greatest players never to have won an All-Ireland
medal.
club in Limerick and enjoyed much success. He won his first senior county title
in 1942 in the company of the legendary Mick Mackey
. It was the first of seven county championship victories in-a-row for Herbert and his club. He won an eighth county medal in 1955.
selectors. He made his senior debut for the team in 1942, however, Limerick hurling was in the doldrums at the time.
Two years later in 1944 Herbert lined out in his first Munster final. Cork, a team attempting to capture a fourth successive All-Ireland title, provided the opposition. The game was an exciting one with thousands of people walking to the match in Thurles
as a result of war-time travel restrictions. The spectators were not disappointed, however, the game ended in a draw – Cork 4-13, Limerick 6-7. The replay was just as exciting; however, Cork took a victory on that occasion.
In 1945 Herbert played in his second Munster final. Tipperary
were the opponents on that occasion, however, for the second time he ended up on the losing side. Tipp claimed the victory by 4-3 to 2-6.
The following year saw Herbert play in a third provincial decider. Cork, the victors at the same stage two years earlier, provided the opposition once again. Limerick, however, had defeated All-Ireland champions Tipperary in the Munster semi-final and looked a good bet to take the title. Cork had other ideas and easily won the game by 3-8 to 1-3.
In 1947 Herbert tasted his only success with the Limerick team as he captured a National Hurling League
medal. Once again his side reached the Muster final as the All-Ireland champions Cork played the League champions. The game was a close affair, however, for the fourth year in-a-row Limerick were defeated.
Two years later in 1949 Herbert was back in his fifth Munster final. Once again it looked as if Limerick might claim the victory. Tipperary were the opponents on this occasion and it was that team that claimed a 1-16 to 2-10 victory. This was Herbert’s last big occasion with Limerick. He continued playing with his county until 1953.
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He captured his first Railway Cup title in 1946 as Munster defeated Ulster
. Herbert captured further Railway Cup medals in 1948, 1949, 1952 and 1953.
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 Ahane
Ahane GAA
Ahane GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the Ahane, Castleconnell and Montpelier areas of east County Limerick, Republic of Ireland. The club fields teams in both hurling and football and historically is regarded as one of the great clubs of Limerick. Ahane's greatest players...
and with the 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...
senior inter-county team from 1942 until 1953. Herbert is regarded as one of the greatest players never to have won an 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.
Club
Herbert played his club hurling with the famous AhaneAhane GAA
Ahane GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the Ahane, Castleconnell and Montpelier areas of east County Limerick, Republic of Ireland. The club fields teams in both hurling and football and historically is regarded as one of the great clubs of Limerick. Ahane's greatest players...
club in Limerick and enjoyed much success. He won his first senior county title
Limerick Senior Hurling Championship
The Limerick Senior Hurling Championship is an annual club competition between the top Limerick Clubs. The winners of the Limerick Championship qualify to represent their county in the Munster Club Championship and in turn, go on to the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship...
in 1942 in the company of the legendary Mick Mackey
Mick Mackey
Michael ‘Mick’ Mackey was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the famous Ahane club from 1930 until 1948 and was a member of the Limerick senior inter-county team from 1930 until 1947. Mackey is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in the history of the game...
. It was the first of seven county championship victories in-a-row for Herbert and his club. He won an eighth county medal in 1955.
Inter-county
Herbert’s performances with his club brought him to the attention of the 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...
selectors. He made his senior debut for the team in 1942, however, Limerick hurling was in the doldrums at the time.
Two years later in 1944 Herbert lined out in his first Munster final. Cork, a team attempting to capture a fourth successive All-Ireland title, provided the opposition. The game was an exciting one with thousands of people walking to the match 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...
as a result of war-time travel restrictions. The spectators were not disappointed, however, the game ended in a draw – Cork 4-13, Limerick 6-7. The replay was just as exciting; however, Cork took a victory on that occasion.
In 1945 Herbert played in his second Munster final. 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...
were the opponents on that occasion, however, for the second time he ended up on the losing side. Tipp claimed the victory by 4-3 to 2-6.
The following year saw Herbert play in a third provincial decider. Cork, the victors at the same stage two years earlier, provided the opposition once again. Limerick, however, had defeated All-Ireland champions Tipperary in the Munster semi-final and looked a good bet to take the title. Cork had other ideas and easily won the game by 3-8 to 1-3.
In 1947 Herbert tasted his only success with the Limerick team as he 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. Once again his side reached the Muster final as the All-Ireland champions Cork played the League champions. The game was a close affair, however, for the fourth year in-a-row Limerick were defeated.
Two years later in 1949 Herbert was back in his fifth Munster final. Once again it looked as if Limerick might claim the victory. Tipperary were the opponents on this occasion and it was that team that claimed a 1-16 to 2-10 victory. This was Herbert’s last big occasion with Limerick. He continued playing with his county until 1953.
Provincial
Herbert also lined out with MunsterMunster 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 the inter-provincial hurling competition. He captured his first Railway Cup title in 1946 as Munster defeated Ulster
Ulster GAA
The Ulster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, and handball in the province of Ulster. The headquarters of the Ulster GAA is based in Armagh City....
. Herbert captured further Railway Cup medals in 1948, 1949, 1952 and 1953.