Daniel Kearney

Daniel Kearney (born 19 December 1989) is an Irish hurler who currently plays as a midfielder for the Cork senior team.^[1][2]

Born in Glanmire, County Cork, Kearney first excelled at hurling during his schooling at Glanmire Community College. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty when he first linked up with the Cork under-21 team. He made his senior debut during the 2012 championship.^[3] Since then Kearney has become a regular member of the team and has won one Munster medal. He has been an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.

Kearney has also lined out with the Munster inter-provincial team. At club level he is a three-time championship medalist with Sarsfield's.^[4]

Playing career

University

Kearney was a member of the University College Cork senior team during the 2011-12 college year, and lined out in the final of the Fitzgibbon Cup. Cork Institute of Technology provided the opposition, however, UCC claimed a thrilling extra-time success as they celebrated the centenary of the competition in style on home soil with a narrow 2-15 to 2-14 victory.^[5] It was Kearney's sole Fitzgibbon Cup medal.

Club

Kearney first enjoyed success with Sarsfield's at underage levels, when he captained the team to victory in the minor championship decider over Duhallow in 2008.^[6]

That same year Kearney was a key member of the Sarsfield's team that faced Bride Rovers in the final of the senior championship. A goal by Robert O'Driscoll with seven minutes of normal time left proved the decisive score as Sarsfield's won by 2-14 to 2-13. It was Kearney's first championship medal and a first for Sars in fifty-one years.^[7]

After surrendering their title to Newtownshandrum the following year, Sarsfield's were back in a third successive championship decider in 2010.^[8] Glen Rovers, who were playing in their first championship decider in nineteen years, provided the opposition. A Conor O'Sullivan goal proved vital as Sarsfield's triumphed by 1-17 to 0-18, with Kearney collecting a second championship medal.^[9]

Sarsfield's failed to retain the title once again, however, in 2012 Kearney lined out in his fourth championship decider in five years. Sars were the more experienced side as Bishopstown were the surprise finalists. In spite of this, it took a late goal from Robert O'Driscoll to secure a 1-15 to 1-13 victory.^[10]

Inter-county

Having enjoyed little success with the Cork under-21 hurling team, Kearney made his senior championship debut on 23 June 2012 in a 1-22 to 0-24 defeat by Tipperary in the Munster semi-final.

On 14 July 2013 Kearney lined out in his second Munster decider, however, Cork faced a 0-24 to 0-15 defeat by Limerick.^[11] On 8 September 2013 Kearney lined out against Clare in his first All-Ireland final. Three second-half goals through Conor Lehane, Anthony Nash and Pa Cronin, and a tenth point of the game from Patrick Horgan gave Cork a one-point lead as injury time came to an end. A last-gasp point from corner-back Domhnall O'Donovan earned Clare a 0-25 to 3-16 draw.^[12] The replay on 28 September was regarded as one of the best in recent years. Clare's Shane O'Donnell was a late addition to the team, and went on to score a hat-trick of goals in the first nineteen minutes of the game. Horgan top scored for Cork, however, further goals from Conor McGrath and Darach Honan secured a 5-16 to 3-16 victory for Clare.^[13]

Kearney won his first Munster medal on 13 July 2014 as goals by Séamus Harnedy and Paudie O'Sullivan gave Cork a 2-24 to 0-24 victory over Limerick.^[14]

Inter-provincial

Kearney has also been picked for duty with the Munster inter-provincial team, however, he has yet to claim a Railway Cup medal.

Honours

Team

University College Cork

• Fitzgibbon Cup (1): 2012

Sarsfield's

• Cork Senior Hurling Championship (3): 2008, 2010, 2012
• Cork Minor Hurling Championship (1): 2008 (c)

Cork

• Munster Senior Hurling Championship (1): 2014

References