Hubert Rigney

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Hubert Rigney (born 1971) is a former Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with Offaly in the 1990s.

Hubert Rigney was born in Banagher, County Offaly in 1971. He was educated locally and started playing hurling at the age of 11. He won his first medal at the age of 13 when his side, St. Rynagh's, defeated Portumna in Galway. Rigney’s talent was quickly spotted by the Offaly inter-county selectors, and he joined the county minor team in the later 1980s. He won an All-Ireland medal with the minor side in 1989 and joined the senior team in 1990. That year Rigney won a National Hurling League title, as well as his first Leinster medal. Four years later he won his second Leinster title. Offaly later progressed to the All-Ireland final where they played Limerick. With four minutes to go Rigney’s side were trailing by five points, however, a scoring spree in the remaining time resulted in Offaly actually winning the game by 6 points. Offaly manager, Eamonn Cregan, had orchestrated a great win over has native county and Rigney collected his first All-Ireland medal.

In 1995 Rigney captured his third Leinster medal. The game itself against Kilkenny was the best game of the year and is regarded as one of the greatest games of all-time for the sheer level of skill displayed by both teams. Rigney’s side later went on to lose the All-Ireland final to Clare, who won their first All-Ireland since 1914. In 1998 Rigney was appointed captain of his team, however, the year proved to be a controversial one for Offaly. Rigney’s side reached the Leinster final but lost to Kilkenny. This defeat prompted their manager, Babs Keating, to describe the Offaly hurlers as "sheep in a heap", and he promptly resigned. It looked as if Offaly’s championship hopes were in disarray, however, they overcame Antrim in the All-Ireland quarter-final and qualified to meet Clare in the semi-final. The first game ended in a draw and had to be replayed, however, the replay was ended early because of a time-keeping error by the referee. Following a protest on the pitch of Croke Park by the Offaly supporters it was decided that Clare and Offaly would meet for a third time. Rigney’s side won the third game and qualified to play Kilkenny in the final. Offaly reversed the Leinster final defeat by winning the All-Ireland final by 6 points. Rigney had guided Offaly to their fourth All-Ireland victory and had won his second All-Ireland medal in the process. He retired from inter-county hurling following the completion of the 1999 championship due to injury.

Preceded by '	Offaly Senior Hurling Captain 1998	Succeeded by Brian Whelehan
Preceded by Anthony Daly (Clare)	All-Ireland Hurling Final winning captain 1998	Succeeded by Mark Landers (Cork)

	Offaly - All-Ireland Hurling Champions 1994 (3rd title)
1 J. Troy | 2 S. McGuckin | 3 K. Kinihan | 4 M. Hanamy (Capt.) | 5 B. Whelahan | 6 H. Rigney | 7 K. Martin | 8 J. Pilkington | 9 D. Regan | 10 J. Dooley | 11 J. Troy | 12 J. Dooley | 13 B. Dooley | 14 B. Kelly | 15 D. Pilkington | Subs: J. Errity | P. O'Connor | Manager: É. Cregan |

	Offaly - All-Ireland Hurling Champions 1998 (4th title)
1 S. Byrne | 2 S. Whelahan | 3 K. Kinihan | 4 M. Hanamy | 5 B. Whelahan | 6 H. Rigney (Capt.) | 7 K. Martin | 8 J. Pilkington | 9 J. Dooley | 10 M. Duignan | 11 J. Troy | 12 G. Hanniffy | 13 B. Dooley | 14 J. Errity | 15 J. Dooley | Subs: P. Mulhaire | D. Hanniffy | J. Ryan | Manager: M. Bond |