Richie Hogan

Richie Hogan (born 8 August 1988) is an Irish sportsperson who currently plays as a left corner-forward for the Kilkenny senior team.^[1]

Hogan joined the panel during the 2008 championship, however, it took a number of seasons before he became a regular member of the starting fifteen. Since then he has won two All-Ireland winners' medals, two Leinster winners' medals, two National League winners' medals and one All-Star award.^[2]

At club level Hogan is an All-Ireland, Leinster and county club championship medalist at junior level with Danesfort.

Hogan's brother Paddy is also a member of the Kilkenny senior team while his close relation D. J. Carey is regarded as one of the all-time greats of the game.

Playing career

Club

Hogan plays his club hurling with the Danesfort club and has enjoyed much success in a short career.

In 2006 he won a junior county championship title when Danesfort defeated Tullogher-Rosbercon in the final. It was the club's first county title in that grade since 1930.^[3] Danesfort later defeated Knockbridge to claim the Leinster junior club title.^[4] Hogan later captured an All-Ireland junior club title following a 2-16 to 2-8 defeat of Clooney Gaels. Hogan was the top scorer in the final scoring 1-6. He also received a place on the Kilkenny club all-star team of the year at right-corner forward. Richie's brother Paddy was selected at centre-back on the team and also received Kilkenny Junior Club Hurler of the Year.

In 2008 Hogan reached the Intermediate County Final with Danesfort where they were beaten by Erins Owen of Castlecomer. Richie and his brother Paddy were again selected on the Kilkenny Club team of the year.

Danesfort reached the Intermediate league final 3 years in a row (2009,2010 and 2011) in which they were beaten by Rower Inistiogue (09 and 11) and Mullinvat in 2010. Hogan captained Danesfort to the County Intermediate final a 2nd time in 2011. This time they were successful beating Rower Inistiogue in the final. Early goals from Hogan and Robbie Walsh set Danesfort on their way along with good performances from Kilkenny players Paddy Hogan and Paul Murphy. This was the clubs first Intermediate title since 1931.

Inter-county

Hogan first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Kilkenny minor hurling team in 2004. He won his first Leinster medal in this grade in 2004 after comprehensive victories over Offaly and Dublin. Kilkenny later qualified for the All-Ireland final, after beating favourites Tipperary in the semi final. Hogan received the man of the match award after scoring 0-4 from play and creating the only goal of the game. Galway provided the opposition in the final. That game ended in a 3–12 to 1–18 stalemate,where Hogan scored the equalising point in injury time, however, Galway narrowly won the replay by 0–16 to 1–12.^[5] Hogan was later named the minor hurler of the year ahead of Galway player Kerril Wade.

After surrendering their provincial title the following year, Hogan added a second Leinster medal to his collection in 2006, where they defeated Carlow. Hogan again received the man of the match award after scoring a Leinster Final record of 2-10 in the final. They would later be defeated by eventual champions Tipperary in the semi-final, Hogan scoring 0-6 points.

Hogan was subsequently called into the u-21 team for the All Ireland final against Tipperary. Hogan came on as a late substitute in the final scoring a late point and last minute goal to draw the game. He subsequently won his first All-Ireland medal after a defeafing Tipperary in the replay at Semple Stadium by 1-11 to 0-11.^[6] Hogan started at Full Forward in the replay where his brother Paddy scored the decisive goal in the first half.

Hogan collected his first senior All Ireland medal when Kilkenny defeated Limerick in the 2007 All Ireland final. Goals from Henry Shefflin and Eddie Brennan set Kilkenny on their way in the first half. Hogan was an unused substitute on the day.

A year later in 2008 Hogan gave a man of the match display against Leinster Champions Dublin scoring 1-10 as Kilkenny defeated them and subsequently defeated Ofally to collect his second u-21 leinster title. Hogan received another man of the match award in the semi-final against Galway scoring 2-5. He later won a second All-Ireland medal following a 2-14 to 0-16 defeat of Tipperary, Hogan scoring 0-6 and creating a brilliant goal for two goal hero Matthew Ruth.

That same year Hogan made his debut for the Kilkenny senior hurling team. He played a number of games in the National Hurling League before later making his provincial championship debut against Offaly at the age of 19. Hogan later went on to win his second All Ireland medal in 2008 when Kilkenny defeated Waterford in the All Ireland final in a very one-sided game.

Hogan won his first National League winners' medal in 2009 following a thrilling 4-17 to 2-26 defeat of Tipperary. Hogan won the man of the match award scoring 1-10, including a last minute free as Kilkenny won in extra time. He missed out on a provincial title later that year through injury but started in the All-Ireland final as Kilkenny set out to make history by becoming the second team in hurling history to win four successive championships.^[7] Tipperary were the opponents and, for much of the match, it looked as if they would pull off a shock and deny 'the Cats' the title. Two quick goals in the space of a minute, one from a penalty by Henry Shefflin, sealed a 2–22 to 0–23 victory.^[8] It was Hogan's third All-Ireland medal, a first on won on the field of play. Hogan scored 0-2 after receiving an ankle injury early on.

A week later Hogan lined out in search of his third All Ireland u-21 medal despite a serious ankle injury. Hogan scored 0-5 as Clare pipped Kilkenny with a late injury time winner. Hogan was the u-21 championships top scorer for a second time in three years.

In 2010 Hogan won his first Leinster winners' medal on the field of play following a 1-19 to 1-12 defeat of new provincial rivals Galway. Kilkenny faced a number of injury worries going into an historic All-Ireland final, including Hogan and ultimately failed in their 'drive for five' as Tipperary won by 4-17 to 1-18. Hogan received ankle surgery later that year.

'The Cats' continued their provincial dominance in 2011 with Hogan winning a fourth Leinster winners' medal following a defeat of Dublin.^[9] Kilkenny later qualified for a sixth consecutive All-Ireland final. For the third year in succession Hogan's side faced Tipperary, however, on this occasion Kilkenny were slight underdogs going up against the new champions. Hogan scored a remarkable goal, which was set up by Eddie Brennan, to help Kilkenny to a 2-17 to 1-16 victory.^[10] It was Hogan's fourth All-Ireland winners' medal. He later collected his first All-Star award.

Hogan received 2 broken ribs and a punctured lung in an accidental class with a Galway goalkeeper in the final round of the 2012 league which was expected to keep him out for up to 2 months, but he recovered in time to take his place at right half forward in a trouncing of old rivals Cork 4 weeks later which gave Hogan a second National League winners' medal.^[11]

Kilkenny played Galway in the 2012 All Ireland final replay. Hogan was selected at mid field but played at full forward scoring 0-3 in a devastating display earning himself a fifth All Ireland medal.

References