Damien Martin

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Damien Martin (born 1947) is a former Irish sportsperson who played hurling with Offaly in the 1970s and 1980s. He received the very first All-Star Award.

Damien Martin was born in Banagher, County Offaly in 1947. He made his senior debut as the goalkeeper on the Offaly hurling team in a National Hurling League game in 1964. He was only seventeen years-old. Martin was a member of a team that had always lagged behind Kilkenny and Wexford in the Leinster Championship, however, the tide was turning. He won a county championship title with his club, St. Rynagh's in 1965, and a new county management set-up evolved in 1967. In 1971 Martin made history by becoming the very first GAA All Star and, although it was his only All Star, it was a huge achievement for Martin and Offaly.

The 1970s were bleak for Martin and Offaly hurling, however, in 1980 they defeated Kilkenny to claim their first Leinster title in decades. In 1981 the Offaly men reclaimed their Leinster title and later went on to win an historic All-Ireland title. Three years later in 1984 Martin won his third Leinster medal and qualified for the centenary All-Ireland Hurling Final, but were defeated by Cork. It was to be Martin's All-Ireland final appearance as a front-line player, although he would win his second All-Ireland medal as a substitute to Jim Troy in 1985. Martin had one more championship game, coming on as a sub in the 1986 Leinster final, but Offaly were defeated by Kilkenny. After 22 years in senior hurling Martin announced his retirement.