Liam Dunne

Liam Dunne (born 1968) is an Irish retired hurler and is the current manager of the Wexford senior hurling team.^[1]

Regarded as one of Wexford's all-time greats,^[2] Dunne enjoyed a senior inter-county career that spanned three decades. During that time he won one All-Ireland winners' medals, two Leinster winners' medals and three All-Star awards.

At club level Dunne played with the Oulart-the-Ballagh club for more than twenty years, winning six county club championship winners' medals.

Early life

Liam Dunne was born in the village of Oulart, County Wexford in 1968. He was educated locally at Oulart national school where his hurling ability first came to the fore. Dunne first tasted success when he won two Rackard League titles with the school in 1977-78 and 1980-81. Dunne later went on to become one of the most popular players for Wexford during the 1990s.

Playing career

Club

Dunne played his club hurling with the famous Oulart the Ballagh club and had much success in his youth, including winning a Slaney Hurling title. The club had never won a senior county championship title in its history when Dunne began his club hurling career. All this changed in 1994 when Oulart-the Ballagh and Dunne captured the county title. He added a second county championship to his collection in 1995. A third county medal followed for Dunne in 1997. The new century brought further success for the famous side as Dunne added two further back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005. His side were beaten in their quest for a third consecutive county championship in 2006, however, he won another county medal in 2007.

Inter-county

Dunne first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Wexford minor hurling team in 1985. That year he won a Leinster title as a substitute before later collecting an All-Ireland runners-up medal as a sub following a defeat against Cork. In 1986 Dunne played his second Leinster final, however, his side were defeated by Offaly. In spite of this defeat Dunne's performance was so good that he was immediately called up to join the county under-21 panel. He later collected an All-Ireland runners-up medal in this grade following a heavy defeat by Galway. He would have little further success during his four years on the under-21 team.^[3]

In 1988 Dunne made his senior debut against Laois in the first-round of the Leinster Championship. His performance was good enough and he secured a regular place on the team in 1989. Wexford hurling was still in the doldrums, however, Dunne collected an All-Star award for his outstanding performances in the 1990 championship. Success at senior level eluded him for much of the 1990s as Wexford lost countless Leinster and National League finals, however, he won a second All-Star award in 1993. Three years later in 1996 Dunne collected his first senior Leinster title. It was Wexford's first provincial title since 1977. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Dunne's side take on Limerick, the defeated finalists of 1994. The game itself was far from a classic as fourteen-man Wexford defeated the Munstermen giving Dunne a coveted All-Ireland medal. Dunne captured a second Leinster title in 1997, however, the introduction of the so-called 'back-door' system resulted in the defeated Munster and Leinster finalists receiving a second chance to win the All-Ireland title. In the All-Ireland semi-final Wexford were defeated by Tipperary, the Munster runners-up. The following few years proved difficult as Wexford and Dunne faced a resurgent Kilkenny that would win the next six Leinster titles. In 2003 Wexford were on the way back as they held Cork to a draw in the All-Ireland semi-final. Wexford, however, were trounced in the replay. Shortly after this defeat Dunne announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.^[4]

Post-playing career

In retirement from playing Dunne maintained a keen interest in the game. He took over as a selector with the Wexford minor hurling management team in 2007.

Dunne released his hit autobiography, 'I Crossed the Line' in 2004 after an illustrious playing career. He gave the readers an insight into his private life. Liam is married to Eithne and they have three children, Billy, Aoife and Jack. Liam is a relation of Ballinteer St. Johns hurler Rónán Dunne.

In early 2009, Liam began his managerial career by taking over the Oulart senior team. Liam's close friend and former team-mate Dave Guiney suggested that Liam take the job and at the AGM Liam put his name forward.^[5] In November 2011 Dunne was appointed as Wexford Senior hurling manager to succeed Colm Bonnar.^[6][7]

References

Teams