Born, Crookstown, Co. Cork 31/01/1931. Joined Garda in November 1952. Served in Blackrock and Dun Laoghaire until 1988. Learned his hurling in Cloughduv N.S. in Crookstown and played under age hurling with Cloughduv until 1946 when his father, a Garda, was transferred to Doneraile.

 

Played with Dr. Crokes, Doneraile until 1949 winning North Cork juvenile & Minor medals. Picked on Avondhu (North Division) Minor team and was then picked on Cork County Minor team. Played Tipperary in Munster Hurling Final 1949 (lost by one point – Tipperary went on to win All Ireland Final). Played Junior hurling with Doneraile until emigration to England in 1951.

 

Joined Garda in 1952 and played Intermediate with Garda Hurling until team disbanded in 1955 due to a shortage of players.  Joined New Ireland Senior Hurling team in 1955 and played with them team until 1963. Forced then to retire due to knee injury. Played in five successive county championships between 1956 – 1960 winning two in 1958 & 1959.

 

Picked to play for Dublin Senior Hurling team in 1955 but opted to play for county Cork having declared for them.

 

 

Inter County details with Cork Senior Hurling team:

 

1956 - Played & won in Munster Hurling Final v. Limerick. 

         - Played later that year in All Ireland Hurling final v. Wexford (lost).

 

1958 - Selected on Munster Railway Cup panel, which won final in Croke Park, St.   Patricks’s Day. That team included some of the greats of Hurling: Christy    - Ring, Jimmy Doyle, Paddy Barry to name but a few.

 

Garda Hurling competitions were flourishing during these years and he competed and won in a number of these. Chosen to play for Garda DMA Hurling team, which won the All Ireland Garda title v. Munster Garda. As a result, was picked at full forward on the All-Garda team that played against the All-Army team in Croke Park beating them comprehensively.