Tony Browne

For other people named Anthony Browne, see Anthony Browne (disambiguation).
Tony Browne
Personal information
Irish name Tónaí de Brún
Sport Hurling
Position Right wing-back
Born July 1, 1973 (1973-07-01) (age 38)
Waterford, Ireland
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Club(s)
Years Club
1980s- Mount Sion
Club Titles
Waterford titles 7
Munster titles 1
Inter-county(ies)*
Years County Apps (scores)
1991-present Waterford 59 (4-41)
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 5 (1 under 21)
All Irelands 1 (under 21)
NHL 1
All Stars 3
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 9 August 2009.

Tony Browne (born 1 July 1973) is an Irish sportsman. He plays hurling with his local club Mount Sion and is a member of the Waterford senior inter-county team from 1991 to present. He is currently the longest serving player in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.

Contents

Playing career

Club

Browne plays his club hurling with the famous Mount Sion club in Waterford and has enjoyed much success. He won a minor county championship title with the club in 1991. Browne later joined the club's under-21 team with whom he won an under-21 county championship title in 1994. That same year he was also a member of the club's senior panel and collected his first senior county championship medal. Browne added another two county medals in 1998 and 2000, before winning three titles in-a-row in 2002, 2003 and 2004. He won his seventh county medal in 2006. His only Munster club championship medal was won with Mount Sion in 2002.

Inter-county

Browne first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with the Waterford minor team in the late 1980s and early 1990s. 1992 was a special year for Browne as he captained the Waterford under-21 team.[1] He won a Munster medal in that grade before later lining out in the All-Ireland final. Offaly provided the opposition on that occasion as the game ended in a draw. The replay saw Waterford take the title by 0-12 to 2-3 and Browne was awarded a coveted All-Ireland under-21 medal. Browne added a second Munster under-21 title to his collection in 1994, but there would be no second All-Ireland success.

Browne's performances at underage levels brought him to the attention of the senior selectors and he made his senior debut in the 1991 National Hurling League against Galway. Browne made his championship debut a year later. At the time Waterford hurling was at a low ebb. A defeat by Kerry in 1993 only added to their problems. The next few seasons saw Waterford being knocked out of the championship in the early stages. The arrival of Gerald McCarthy as manager made a difference to team morale. Browne lined out in his first Munster final in 1998, as the game against Clare ended in a draw. The replay was one of the most ill-tempered Munster deciders in recent years. Clare made no mistake at the second time of asking and defeated Waterford by 12 points. The 'back-door' system allowed Waterford to have another crack at the All-Ireland title. A defeat of Galway set up an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Kilkenny. After a tense game ‘the Cats’ were the winners and Waterford's championship campaign came to an end. In spite of this his performance in the championship earned him an All-Star award as well as the honour of being named 'Hurler of the Year'.

The next few years proved difficult for Waterford with early exits from the championship. It was 2002 before Browne lined out in his second Munster final. Tipperary, the reigning All-Ireland champions, were the opponents on that occasion and few people gave the Déise a chance. At the final whistle it was a different story as Waterford were emphatic winners by 2-23 to 3-12. It was Waterford's first Munster title since 1963 and it was Browne's first senior provincial medal. This victory set up an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Clare. While many people expected Waterford to advance to the All-Ireland final, Clare were the winners by three points and Waterford's run came to an end again.

In 2003 Waterford set out to defend their Munster title and build on their success. Cork, however, had other ideas and defeated Flynn's team in the provincial final. Waterford were later defeated by Wexford in the All-Ireland qualifiers.

2004 saw Waterford qualify for a third successive Munster final with Cork providing the opposition once again. Described as the game that had everything Waterford beat Cork by 3-16 to 1-21 to win one of the greatest games of hurling ever played. Browne played a key role in securing his second Munster medal and gave a great performance in the half-back line. The subsequent All-Ireland semi-final saw Waterford take on a wounded Kilkenny. In spite of this ‘the Cats’ were the winners by 3-12 to 0-18.

2005 proved to be a difficult season for the Déise as they were eliminated from the Munster championship at an early stage and were defeated by Cork in the All-Ireland quarter-final. 2006 also saw Browne's side make an early exit from Munster, although the team later qualified for the All-Ireland semi-final. Old rivals Cork provided the opposition on that occasion. After an exciting game Waterford were denied a draw at the death when Cork goalkeeper Donal Óg Cusack pulled down an almost certain point at the final whistle. Cork won the game by 1-16 to 1-15.

In 2007 Waterford threw down a mark of intent when they captured the National Hurling League title. It was Waterford's first league title since 1963, with Browne collecting his first national title at senior level. Later in the championship Browne's side finally got the better of Cork. After another thrilling game between these great two rivals Waterford were the winners by 5-15 to 3-18. This victory allowed Flynn's side to advance to the Munster final where they played Limerick. Waterford justified their favourites tag and won the game with relative ease courtesy of a hat trick of goals by Dan Shanahan. Waterford later saw off Cork again after an All-Ireland quarter-final replay to set up an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Limerick. Many expected the game to be a mere formality; however, Limerick defeated a tired Waterford team by 5-11 to 2-15. It was a major shock to Waterford and the hurling public at large, as the Déise were expected to triumph.

In spite of some retirement speculation, Browne returned to Waterford in 2008. After a heavy defeat by Clare in the opening round of the Munster championship, manager Justin McCarthy was forced to resign. Waterford went through the qualifier route with Browne playing a key role along the way. After five All-Ireland semi-final defeats inside ten years, Waterford finally broke their penultimate stage hoodoo with a two-point defeat of Tipperary. In the All-Ireland final, Browne lined out on hurling's biggest day for the first time at the age of 35. He was to be disappointed, however, as Kilkenny were comfortable victors on the day.[2]

On September 8, 2010 it was announced that Browne had announced his retirement but these reports proved to be unfounded as the player told local radio station WLR that he was misquoted.[3]

He later announced he may consider giving the 2011 hurling championship one more go.

Championship Appearances

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Match report
1 24 May 1992 Semple Stadium, Thurles Clare 0-0 0-16 : 0-14 Munster Quarter-Final Replay Irish Times
2 19 June 1994 Semple Stadium, Thurles Limerick 0-0 2-12 : 2-14 Munster Semi-Final Irish Times
3 21 May 1995 Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork Tipperary 0-1 1-11 : 4-23 Munster Quarter-Final Irish Times
4 2 June 1996 Walsh Park, Waterford Tipperary 0-0 1-14 : 1-11 Munster Quarter-Final Irish Times
5 25 May 1997 Semple Stadium, Thurles Limerick 0-3 1-17 : 2-20 Munster Quarter-Final Irish Times
6 24 May 1998 Austin Stack Park, Tralee Kerry 0-2 0-20 : 1-09 Munster Quarter-Final Irish Independent
7 7 June 1998 Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork Tipperary 0-2 0-21 : 2-12 Munster Semi-Final Irish Independent
8 12 July 1998 Semple Stadium, Thurles Clare 0-3 3-10 : 1-16 Munster Final Irish Independent
9 19 July 1998 Semple Stadium, Thurles Clare 0-0 0-10 : 2-16 Munster Final Replay Irish Independent
10 26 July 1998 Croke Park, Dublin Galway 0-7 1-20 : 1-10 All-Ireland Quarter-Final Irish Independent
11 16 August 1998 Croke Park, Dublin Kilkenny 1-3 1-10 : 1-11 All-Ireland Semi-Final Irish Independent
12 30 May 1999 Semple Stadium, Thurles Limerick 0-0 1-16 : 1-15 Munster Quarter-Final Irish Examiner
13 14 June 1999 Semple Stadium, Thurles Cork 0-0 1-15 : 0-24 Munster Semi-Final Irish Independent
14 28 June 2000 Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork Tipperary 0-1 0-14 : 0-17 Munster Quarter-Final Irish Independent
15 10 June 2001 Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork Limerick 0-2 2-14 : 4-11 Munster Semi-Final Irish Independent
16 26 May 2002 Semple Stadium, Thurles Cork 1-0 1-16 : 1-15 Munster Semi-Final Irish Independent
17 30 June 2002 Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Thurles Tipperary 1-0 2-23 : 3-12 Munster Final Irish Examiner
18 11 August 2002 Croke Park, Dublin Clare 0-1 1-13 : 1-16 All-Ireland Semi-Final Irish Independent
19 11 May 2003 Walsh Park, Waterford Kerry 0-1 2-26 : 1-12 Munster Quarter-Final Anfearrua
20 1 June 2003 Semple Stadium, Thurles Limerick 0-0 4-13 : 4-13 Munster Semi-Final Irish Examiner
21 8 June 2003 Semple Stadium, Thurles Limerick 0-0 1-12 : 0-13 Munster Semi-Final Replay Irish Examiner
22 29 June 2003 Semple Stadium, Thurles Cork 0-1 3-12 : 3-16 Munster Final Irish Examiner
23 20 July 2003 Nolan Park, Kilkenny Wexford 0-0 0-18 : 1-20 3rd Round Qualifier Irish Independent
24 16 May 2004 Semple Stadium, Thurles Clare 0-0 3-21 : 1-08 Munster Quarter-Final Irish Examiner
25 27 June 2004 Semple Stadium, Thurles Cork 0-0 3-16 : 1-21 Munster Final Irish Examiner
26 8 August 2004 Croke Park, Dublin Kilkenny 0-0 3-12 : 0-18 All-Ireland Semi-Final Irish Independent
27 22 May 2005 Semple Stadium, Thurles Cork 0-1 2-15 : 2-17 Munster Semi-Final Irish Examiner
28 18 June 2005 Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow Offaly 0-0 1-26 : 1-15 Group Stage Qualifier Irish Independent
29 2 July 2005 Walsh Park, Waterford Dublin 0-1 4-17 : 1-03 Group Stage Qualifier Irish Independent
30 9 July 2005 Cusack Park, Ennis Clare 0-1 0-21 : 4-14 Group Stage Qualifier Irish Independent
31 24 July 2005 Croke Park, Dublin Cork 0-1 1-13 : 1-18 All-Ireland Quarter-Final Irish Examiner
32 4 June 2006 Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork Tipperary 0-0 1-12 : 3-14 Munster Semi-Final RTE Sport
33 18 June 2006 Cusack Park, Mullingar Westmeath 0-1 3-22 : 1-14 Group Stage Qualifier Irish Independent
34 2 July 2006 Walsh Park, Waterford Galway 0-1 1-25 : 2-20 Group Stage Qualifier RTE Sport
35 8 July 2006 O'Moore Park, Portlaoise Laois 0-0 2-17 : 1-13 Group Stage Qualifier Irish Independent
36 23 July 2006 Croke Park, Dublin Tipperary 0-0 1-22 : 3-13 All-Ireland Quarter-Final RTE Sport
37 6 August 2006 Croke Park, Dublin Cork 0-0 1-15 : 1-16 All-Ireland Semi-Final RTE Sport
38 17 June 2007 Semple Stadium, Thurles Cork 0-2 5-15 : 3-18 Munster Semi-Final Irish Independent
39 8 July 2007 Semple Stadium, Thurles Limerick 0-0 3-17 : 1-14 Munster Final Irish Independent
40 29 July 2007 Croke Park, Dublin Cork 0-0 3-16 : 3-16 All-Ireland Quarter-Final Irish Independent
41 5 August 2007 Croke Park, Dublin Cork 0-0 2-17 : 0-20 All-Ireland Quarter-Final Replay Irish Independent
42 12 August 2007 Croke Park, Dublin Limerick 0-1 2-15 : 5-11 All-Ireland Semi-Final Irish Independent
43 1 June 2008 Gaelic Grounds, Limerick Clare 0-0 0-23 : 2-26 Munster Quarter-Final Irish Examiner
44 5 July 2008 Croke Park, Dublin Antrim 0-0 6-18 : 0-15 2nd Round Qualifier Irish Independent
45 21 July 2008 Semple Stadium, Thurles Offaly 0-0 2-18 : 0-18 4th Round Qualifier Irish Independent
46 27 July 2008 Semple Stadium, Thurles Wexford 0-0 2-19 : 3-15 All-Ireland Quarter-Final RTE Sport
47 17 August 2008 Croke Park, Dublin Tipperary 0-0 1-20 : 1-18 All-Ireland Semi-Final RTE Sport
48 7 September 2008 Croke Park, Dublin Kilkenny 0-0 1-13 : 3-30 All-Ireland Final RTE Sport
49 14 June 2009 Semple Stadium, Thurles Limerick 0-0 0-11 : 1-08 Munster Semi-Final Irish Examiner
50 20 June 2009 Semple Stadium, Thurles Limerick 0-0 0-25 : 0-17 Munster Semi-Final Replay RTE Sport
51 12 July 2009 Semple Stadium, Thurles Tipperary 0-0 2-16 : 4-14 Munster Final RTE Sport
52 26 July 2009 Semple Stadium, Thurles Galway 0-0 1-16 : 0-18 All-Ireland Quarter-final RTE Sport
53 9 August 2009 Croke Park, Dublin Kilkenny 0-0 3-15 : 2-23 All-Ireland Semi-final RTE Sport
54 7 June 2010 Semple Stadium, Thurles Clare 0-0 0-22 : 1-15 Munster Semi-final RTE Sport
55 11 July 2010 Semple Stadium, Thurles Cork 1-0 2-15 : 2-15 Munster Final RTE Sport
56 17 July 2010 Semple Stadium, Thurles Cork 0-1 1-16 : 1-13 Munster Final Replay RTE Sport
57 15 August 2010 Croke Park, Dublin Tipperary 0-3 1-18 : 3-19 All-Ireland Semi-final RTE Sport
58 12 June 2011 Semple Stadium, Thurles Limerick 0-0 3-16 : 3-15 Munster Semi-final RTE Sport

References

  1. ^ http://www.waterford.gaa.ie/page/the_deise_story.html
  2. ^ http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2008/0907/kilkenny_waterford.html?gaa
  3. ^ http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/retirement-stories-wide-of-the-mark-472843.html
Awards
Preceded by
Jamesie O'Connor		 Eircell Hurler of the Year
1998		 Succeeded by
Brian Corcoran
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Fergal Hartley		 Waterford Senior Hurling Captain
2003		 Succeeded by
Ken McGrath

Teams

Injured
Manager
Selectors
  • P. Fanning
  • P. Bennett

1 R. Barry
2 K. O'Gorman | 3 E. Dunphy | 4 M. O'Sullivan
5 S. Keating | 6 P. Fanning | 7 F. Hartley
8 T. Fives | 9 J. Brenner
10 T. Browne (Capt.) | 11 M. Hubbard | 12 A. Fitzgerald
13 N. Dalton | 14 S. Daly | 15 K. McGrath

Substitutes:16 P. Flynn | 17 P. Power   Manager: T. Mansfield
National Hurling League Final 1998 squad

1 B. Landers
2 T. Feeney | 3 S. Cullinane | 4 M. O'Sullivan
5 S. Frampton | 6 F. Hartley | 7 B. Greene
8 T. Browne | 9 P. Queally
10 D. Shanahan | 11 K. McGrath (Capt.) | 12 D. Bennett
13 B. O'Sullivan | 14 A. Kirwan | 15 P. Flynn

Substitutes: 16 S. Brenner | 17 B. Flannery | 18 E. O'Sullivan | 19 R. McGrath
20 G. Gater | 21 M. White | 22 J. Meaney | 23 D. McGrath | 24 J. O'Connor

Manager: G. McCarthy   Selectors: J. Galvin | G. Fives | S. Ahearne
Munster Senior Hurling Final 1998 squad

1 B. Landers
2 T. Feeney | 3 S. Cullinane | 4 B. Flannery
5 S. Frampton | 6 F. Hartley | 7 B. Greene
8 T. Browne | 9 P. Queally
10 D. Shanahan | 11 K. McGrath (Capt.) | 12 D. Bennett
13 B. O'Sullivan | 14 A. Kirwan | 15 P. Flynn

Substitutes: 16 S. Brenner | 17 M. O'Sullivan | 18 J. O'Connor | 19 E. Burke
20 R. McGrath | 21 M. White | 22 S. Daly | 23 G. Harris | 24 T. Carroll

Manager: G. McCarthy   Selectors: J. Galvin | G. Fives | S. Ahearne
Munster Senior Hurling Final 1998 Replay squad

1 B. Landers
2 T. Feeney | 3 S. Cullinane | 4 B. Flannery
5 S. Frampton | 6 F. Hartley | 7 B. Greene
8 T. Browne | 9 P. Queally
10 D. Shanahan | 11 K. McGrath (Capt.) | 12 D. Bennett
13 M. White | 14 A. Kirwan | 15 P. Flynn

Substitutes: 16 S. Brenner | 17 M. O'Sullivan | 18 B. O'Sullivan | 19 R. McGrath
20 J. O'Connor | 21 S. Daly | 22 E. Burke | 23 G. Harris | 24 T. Carroll

Manager: G. McCarthy   Selectors: J. Galvin | G. Fives | S. Ahearne

1 S. Brenner
2 E. Murphy | 3 J. Murray | 4 D. Prendergast
5 B. Phelan | 6 K. McGrath (Capt.) | 7 T. Browne
8 D. Bennett 9 E. McGrath
10 E. Kelly | 11 D. Shanahan | 12 M. Walsh
13 J. Mullane | 14 S. Prendergast | 15 P. Flynn

Substitutes: 16 I. O'Regan | 17 T. Feeney | 18 B. Wall | 19 P. O'Brien  | 20 J. Kennedy  | 21 A. Moloney | 22 L. Lawlor
23 S. O'Sullivan  | 24 D. O'Brien | 25 S. Ryan | 26 G. Quinlan | 27 D. Coffey | 28 J. Wall | 29 A. Kirwan | 30 W. Hutchinson

Manager: J. McCarthy   Selectors: S. Hannon | N. Cashin | K. Ryan

1 C. Hennessy
2 A. Kearney | 3 E. Murphy | 4 D. Prendergast
5 T. Browne | 6 K. McGrath | 7 J. Murray
8 M. Walsh (Capt.) 9 J. Kennedy
10 D. Shanahan | 11 E. Kelly | 12 S. Molumphy
13 S. Walsh | 14 S. Prendergast | 15 J. Mullane[

Substitutes: 16 P. Flynn | E. McGrath | S. O'Sullivan |

Manager: J. McCarthy   Selectors: S. Hannon | N. Cashin | M. Ryan

1 C. Hennessy
2 A. Kearney | 3 K. Moran | 4 E. Murphy
5 T. Browne | 6 D. Prendergast | 7 K. McGrath
8 M. Walsh (Capt.) 9 S. Molumphy
10 S. Prendergast | 11 D. Shanahan | 12 P. Flynn
13 J. Mullane | 14 E. Kelly | 15 J. Kennedy

Substitutes: 16 B. O'Leary | 17 J. Murray  | 18 B. Phelan | 19 T. Feeney | 20 E. McGrath  | 21 D. Bennett | 22 D. Coffey
23 S. O'Sullivan | 24 R. Foley | 25 K. Stafford | 26 J. Nagle | 27 N. Jacob | 28 J. Hartley | 29 S. Walsh | 30 C. Carey

Manager: J. McCarthy   Selectors: S. Hannon | N. Cashin | M. Ryan

1 C. Hennessy
2 E. Murphy | 3 D. Prendergast | 4 A. Kearney
5 T. Browne | 6 K. McGrath | 7 K. Moran
8 M. Walsh (Capt.) 9 J. Nagle
10 D. Shanahan | 11 S. Prendergast | 12 S. Molumphy
13 E. McGrath | 14 E. Kelly | 15 J. Mullane

Substitutes: 16 A. Power | 17 J. Kennedy  | 18 P. Flynn  | 19 S. O'Sullivan  | 20 G. Hurney | 21 D. Bennett  | 22 R. Foley
23 B. Phelan | 24 J. Murray | 25 T. Feeney  | 26 W. Hutchinson | 27 S. Walsh | 28 P. FitzGerald | 29 P. Kearney | 30 D. Coffey

Manager: D. FitzGerald   Selectors: P. Queally | M. Geary

1 C. Hennessy
2 E. Murphy | 3 L. Lawlor | 4 N. Connors
5 T. Browne | 6 M. Walsh | 7 D. Prendergast
8 S. O'Sullivan | 9 R. Foley
10 K. Moran | 11 S. Molumphy (Capt.) | 12 E. Kelly
13 J. Mullane | 14 S Walsh | 18 S. Prendergast

Substitutes: 15 E. McGrath  | 16 A. Power | 17 J. Nagle  | 19 J. Maher | 20 K. McGrath | 21 D. Shanahan  | 22 M. O'Brien
23 M. Shanahan  | 24 S. Fives | 25 S. Casey | 26 J. Murray | 27 B. O'Halloran  | 28 B. Phelan | 29 O. Whelan | 30 P. Mahony

Manager: D. FitzGerald   Selectors: P. Fanning | P. Bennett

1995: Brian Lohan · 1996: Larry O'Gorman · 1997: Jamesie O'Connor · 1998: Tony Browne · 1999: Brian Corcoran · 2000: D. J. Carey · 2001: Tommy Dunne · 2002: Henry Shefflin · 2003: J. J. Delaney · 2004: Seán Óg Ó hAilpín · 2005: Jerry O'Connor · 2006: Henry Shefflin · 2007: Dan Shanahan · 2008: Eoin Larkin · 2009: Tommy Walsh · 2010: Lar Corbett

1 S. Byrne | 2 W. O'Connor | 3 K. Kinahan | 4 M. Hanamy | 5 A. Daly | 6 S. McMahon | 7 K. Martin | 8 T. Browne HOTY
9 O. Baker | 10 M. Duignan | 11 M. Storey | 12 J. O'Connor | 13 J. Dooley | 14 B. Whelahan | 15 C. Carter

1 D. Cusack | 2 E. Murphy | 3 J. J. Delaney | 4 B. Murphy | 5 T. Browne | 6 R. Curran | 7 T. Walsh | 8 J. O'Connor
9 J. Fitzpatrick | 10 D. Shanahan | 11 H. ShefflinHOTY | 12 E. Brennan | 13 E. Kelly | 14 M. Comerford | 15 T. Griffin

1 B. Murray | 2 M. Kavanagh | 3 D. Fanning | 4 J. Tyrrell | 5 T. Walsh | 6 K. McGrath | 7 T. Browne | 8 M. Walsh  | 9 J. Fitzpatrick
10 D. ShanahanHOTY | 11 O. Moran | 12 S. Molumphy | 13 A. O'Shaughnessey | 14 H. Shefflin | 15 E. Brennan
Munster Hurling Team of the Last 25 Years (1984-2009)