Paddy Moran (hurler)

Paddy Moran (born 1939 in Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny, Ireland) is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Bennettsbridge and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1963 until 1972.^[1]

Early life

Paddy Moran was born in Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny in 1939 and was educated locally. He lived on the famous Woodlawn Estate with many other famous hurlers including Noel Skehan, Séamus Cleere, Liam Cleere, John Kinsella, Pat Lawlor and Liam Simpson. Together these players have over twenty All-Ireland medals.

Playing career

Club

Moran played his club hurling with his local Bennettsbridge club at a time when the side was enjoying some great success. The 1960s saw him win back-to-back county titles in 1959 and 1960, before winning further county medals in 1962 and 1964. Moran won another back-to-back set of county honours in 1966 and 1967 and won his seventh and final county title in 1971.

Inter-county

Moran first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Kilkenny minor hurling team in the 1950s. He won back to back Leinster titles at this level in 1956 and 1957, however, an All-Ireland medal eluded him. Moran later joined the Kilkenny senior team and won his first Leinster title in 1963. Kilkenny later went on to defeat Waterford in the championship decider, giving Moran his first All-Ireland medal. He won a second Leinster title in 1964, however, Tipperary continued their championship dominance over ‘the Cat’s by defeating them in the All-Ireland final. Two years later in 1966 Moran added a National Hurling League medal to his collection before winning a third Leinster title. Kilkenny later qualified for the All-Ireland final, however, The Leinstermen were surprisingly beaten by a young Cork side. Moran captured his fourth provincial title in 1967 before lining out in a fourth All-Ireland final. Kilkenny made amends for the previous year’s defeat by beating Tipperary courtesy of a goal from Moran. It was Kilkenny’s first victory over Tipp since 1922. Two year’s after this Moran lost his place on the Kilkenny team, however, he remained as a substitute and won a fifth Leinster title. He later came on as a substitute in the championship decider against Cork to collect a third All-Ireland medal. Kilkenny lost their provincial crown in 1970, however, the side returned in 1971 with Moran winning a sixth Leinster title. He came on as a substitute in the All-Ireland final, however, Tipp defeated the Noresiders in a thrilling game. The following year Moran won a seventh provincial title. He later collected a fourth All-Ireland medal after coming on as a substitute in a classic final against Cork. Moran retired from inter-county hurling shortly after.

Moran also won Railway Cup medals with Leinster in 1964, 1965 and 1967.

References