Noel Skehan

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Noel Skehan is a former Irish sportsperson who played hurling with Kilkenny from the 1960s until the 1980s.

No player in hurling history has matched the astonishing record of nine All-Ireland medals won by Skehan from 1963 to 1983. With three of those medas won as a substitute, his record is surpassed by the eight All-Ireland's won by Christy Ring and John Doyle, which were won as full team members. Born in Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny in the mid-1940s, Skehan's family had a long association with Kilkenny hurling. His uncle Dan Kennedy had captained Kilkenny to All-Ireland victory in 1947 while his mother's first cousin was Ollie Walsh, Skehan's predecessor as goalkeeper on the Kilkenny team. Skehan's rise through the various Kilkenny sides was meteoric. He joined the minor team in 1962 and became a substitute on the senior team in 1963. Skehan received his first three medals as a substitute to his cousin, Ollie Walsh, in 1963, 1967 and 1969.

In 1971 Walsh retired as goalkeeper and Skehan became the new goalkeeper. He made his debut in a National Hurling League game in late 1971 before becoming captain of the side that won the All-Ireland in 1972. Skehan and Kilkenny made five more journies to Croke Park to contest All-Irelands during the 1970s, with victory coming in 1974, 1975, 1979. He added two more medals to his collection in 1982 and 1983 with defeats over Cork on both occasions. He retired from inter-county hurling in 1985 after more than twenty years on the senior panel. As well as his nine All-Ireland medals Skehan won 11 Leinster Championship medals, numerous National Leagues, Oireachtas and Railway Cup honours. He also held the record for winning the most All Star awards, winning seven in all, however, this record was later surpassed by D.J. Carey. Skehan is currently a selector on the Kilkenny hurling team.

Preceded by Tadhg O'Connor (Tipperary)	All-Ireland Hurling Final winning captain 1972	Succeeded by Eamon Grimes (Limerick)
Preceded by Pat Delaney (Offaly)	Texaco Hurler of the Year 1982	Succeeded by Frank Cummins (Kilkenny)