Mark Foley (Cork hurler)

Mark Foley (born 1967 in Timoleague, County Cork, Ireland) is an Irish former sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Argideen Rangers,^[1] and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1980s and 1990s.

Playing career

Club

Foley played his club hurling with his local Argideen Rangers, Timoleague club and enjoyed some success but not at senior level. He had the honour of winning a West Cork B Divisional medal in 1985, with both his father Michael and his younger brother Seán on the same team.

School

Foley first hit the headlines in 1984 when he helped his school St. Finbarr's College, Farranferris to win the Dr. Croke Cup, the All-Ireland for colleges hurling. Earlier in the season, Mark's jaw was broken by his opposite number in the Dr. Harty Cup final which was the Munster final for colleges. Mark played the Dr. Croke Cup final while his jaw was still broken and indeed was the first player to ever wear a face guard in hurling (a piece of equipment that is now compulsory). That final was televised live by RTÉ as 1984 was the centenary year of the GAA.

Inter-county

Foley first came to prominence as a member of the Cork minor hurling team in the early 1980s. He won a Munster medal at this level in 1985, before later collecting an All-Ireland following a victory over Wexford. Three years later in 1988 Foley won a Munster title with the under-21 team. Once again he later collected an All-Ireland title following a defeat of Kilkenny.

Foley later joined the Cork senior team and won his first Munster title in 1990. In that game he scored a remarkable 2-7^[2] from play and was the key factor in the defeat of Tipperary on that occasion. Cork later qualified for the All-Ireland final where Galway provided the opposition. Like in previous meetings between the two sides Cork were rated as the complete underdogs, however, in a thrilling and high-scoring game the Leesiders defeated the men from the West, giving Foley his first All-Ireland medal. Foley scored a goal and a point for Cork that day and was instrumental in 2 of John Fitzgibbon's goals. All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1990

Two years later in 1992 he won a second Munster title. Cork later faced Kilkenny in the championship decider, however, victory went to ‘the Cats’ on that occasion. The following year Foley added a National Hurling League medal to his collection. His inter-county hurling career ended shortly afterwards.

References