Andy Comerford
Encyclopedia
Andy Comerford is an Irish
hurling
manager
and former player, currently embarking on his first season as manager of the Kildare
senior inter-county team. He played hurling with his local club O'Loughlin Gaels
and with both the Kilkenny
and London
senior inter-county team in the 1990s and 2000s.
in Ireland. While in London Comerford never saw a game of hurling
and his first introduction to the game was when his father made a make-shift hurley for him out of a floorboard. In Kilkenny Comerford played hurling with his brothers Jimmy and Martin
on the local O'Loughlin Gaels
club. He was educated at St. Kieran's College, a famed hurling nursery. His hurling skills quickly earned him a place on the senior team and he won back-to-back All-Ireland colleges titles in 1989 and 1990. Comerford later attended Waterford Institute of Technology
where he won a Fitzgibbon Cup
medal with the college hurling team in 1992. Shortly after his graduation from college, Comerford moved to London.
club in Kilkenny. He had much success at under-age levels with the club and later, when he lived in London, he joined the Brother Pearse's Gaelic Athletic Association
club. When Comerford returned to Kilkenny he rejoined the O'Loughlin Gaels club, winning Kilkenny SHC titles in 2001 and 2003 and a Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship title in 2003.
minor hurling panel. In 1990 he won an All-Ireland
title with the team in a thrilling replay against Cork. By 1993 he was playing with the Kilkenny under-21 team, however, his side were beaten by Galway
in the All-Ireland
final of that year.
In England Comerford joined the London
senior hurling team. In 1995 he won an All-Ireland Senior "B" Championship title with the side, defeating Wicklow
and New York
in the process. This victory allowed London to play in the quarter-final of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship against Down
, however, the side lost. In 1996 Comerford returned to Kilkenny and earned a place on the Kilkenny senior hurling panel. He made his debut in the black and amber jersey in 1997 in the Leinster Championship
against Dublin
. Between 1998 and 2000 Comerford played in three consecutive All-Ireland finals. Kilkenny were defeated by Offaly
and Cork in the first two years, however, in 2000 Kilkenny defeated Offaly with a huge score. It was Comerford’s first All-Ireland
medal with the seniors. Two years later in 2002 Kilkenny were back in another All-Ireland final and this time Comerford was captain. He guided his side to a comfortable win over Clare
and won his second All-Ireland medal in the process. Comerford claimed a third All-Ireland title in 2003 when he came on as a substitute the final against Cork. He subsequently retired from inter-county hurling.
in the inter-provincial hurling comeption. He was captain of his province in 2002 as Leinster defeated an all-Galway
Connacht
team, giving him a coveted Railway Cup medal.
senior hurling team.
Comerford's first season in charge got off to a mixed start in the National Hurling League
. Kildare had some victories in the group stages, however, the team failed to make the knock-out stages of the competition. Kildare's next competitive game was a Christy Ring Cup
first round game against Derry
. Comerford's side easily won that game by 2-28 to 1-12. The next game saw Kildare trounce Armagh
with a facile 5-16 to 0-13 victory. This win saw Kildare top division 2D of the Christy Ring Cup and book a place in the quarter-finals of the competition. That game was played at home in St. Conleth's Park
with Westmeath
, the reigning champions, providing the opposition. After an exciting game Kildare, in spite of home advantage, were still defeated by 3-13 to 2-22. This brought Kildare's cup campaign to an end.
In 2009, Kildare played in Division 3A of the National Hurling League, winning three of their matches and losing two. This allowed them to qualify for the Division 3A Final, where they beat Meath, promoting them to Division 2 for 2010. They later played in the Christy Ring Cup
, beating Westmeath, but losing to Carlow and Mayo.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
manager
Manager (Gaelic games)
In Gaelic games, a manager or coach is an individual involved in the direction and instruction of the on-field operations of a team. Managing, or coaching, entails the application of sport tactics and strategies during the game itself, and usually entails substitution of players and other such...
and former player, currently embarking on his first season as manager of the Kildare
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
senior inter-county team. He played hurling with his local club O'Loughlin Gaels
O'Loughlin Gaels GAA
O'Loughlin Gaels is a Gaelic Athletic Association club situated in the St. John’s parish of Kilkenny city, County Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1969, replacing the St. John’s Hurling Club that started back in 1887....
and with both the Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
and London
London GAA
The London County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or London GAA is one of the county boards outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in London...
senior inter-county team in the 1990s and 2000s.
Early life
Andy Comerford was born in London, England in 1972. He spent the first seven years of his life in London before moving to KilkennyKilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
in Ireland. While in London Comerford never saw a game of hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
and his first introduction to the game was when his father made a make-shift hurley for him out of a floorboard. In Kilkenny Comerford played hurling with his brothers Jimmy and Martin
Martin Comerford
Martin Comerford is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club O'Loughlin Gaels and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 2002 until 2010.-References:-Teams:...
on the local O'Loughlin Gaels
O'Loughlin Gaels GAA
O'Loughlin Gaels is a Gaelic Athletic Association club situated in the St. John’s parish of Kilkenny city, County Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1969, replacing the St. John’s Hurling Club that started back in 1887....
club. He was educated at St. Kieran's College, a famed hurling nursery. His hurling skills quickly earned him a place on the senior team and he won back-to-back All-Ireland colleges titles in 1989 and 1990. Comerford later attended Waterford Institute of Technology
Waterford Institute of Technology
Waterford Institute of Technology is a state funded third-level educational institution situated in the city of Waterford, Ireland. The Institute has six Schools and 16 Departments....
where he won a Fitzgibbon Cup
Fitzgibbon Cup
The Fitzgibbon Cup the championship for top division of university hurling in Ireland. It is administrated by the Higher Education committee which is part of the Gaelic Athletic Association...
medal with the college hurling team in 1992. Shortly after his graduation from college, Comerford moved to London.
Club
Comerford played his club hurling with the O'Loughlin GaelsO'Loughlin Gaels GAA
O'Loughlin Gaels is a Gaelic Athletic Association club situated in the St. John’s parish of Kilkenny city, County Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1969, replacing the St. John’s Hurling Club that started back in 1887....
club in Kilkenny. He had much success at under-age levels with the club and later, when he lived in London, he joined the Brother Pearse's Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
club. When Comerford returned to Kilkenny he rejoined the O'Loughlin Gaels club, winning Kilkenny SHC titles in 2001 and 2003 and a Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship title in 2003.
Inter-county
While still attending St. Kieran's College Comerford joined the KilkennyKilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
minor hurling panel. In 1990 he won an All-Ireland
All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor Championship is an annual competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for competitors under eighteen years of age in the game of hurling played in Ireland.The series of games are played during the summer months with the All-Ireland final...
title with the team in a thrilling replay against Cork. By 1993 he was playing with the Kilkenny under-21 team, however, his side were beaten by Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
in the All-Ireland
All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of hurling played in Ireland...
final of that year.
In England Comerford joined the London
London GAA
The London County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or London GAA is one of the county boards outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in London...
senior hurling team. In 1995 he won an All-Ireland Senior "B" Championship title with the side, defeating Wicklow
Wicklow GAA
The Wicklow County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wicklow GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wicklow...
and New York
New York GAA
The New York County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or New York GAA, is one of the county boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in the New York metropolitan area...
in the process. This victory allowed London to play in the quarter-final of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship against Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
, however, the side lost. In 1996 Comerford returned to Kilkenny and earned a place on the Kilkenny senior hurling panel. He made his debut in the black and amber jersey in 1997 in the Leinster Championship
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
The Leinster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland....
against Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
. Between 1998 and 2000 Comerford played in three consecutive All-Ireland finals. Kilkenny were defeated by Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
and Cork in the first two years, however, in 2000 Kilkenny defeated Offaly with a huge score. It was Comerford’s first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal with the seniors. Two years later in 2002 Kilkenny were back in another All-Ireland final and this time Comerford was captain. He guided his side to a comfortable win over Clare
Clare GAA
The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Clare. The county board is also responsible for the Clare inter-county teams....
and won his second All-Ireland medal in the process. Comerford claimed a third All-Ireland title in 2003 when he came on as a substitute the final against Cork. He subsequently retired from inter-county hurling.
Provincial
Comerford also line dout with LeinsterLeinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
in the inter-provincial hurling comeption. He was captain of his province in 2002 as Leinster defeated an all-Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
Connacht
Connacht GAA
The Connacht Council are a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Connacht.-Constituent counties:*Galway*Leitrim*Mayo*Roscommon*Sligo-Special counties:...
team, giving him a coveted Railway Cup medal.
Kildare
In retirement from playing Comerford turned his attentions to coaching. In late 2007 he was appointed manager of the KildareKildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
senior hurling team.
Comerford's first season in charge got off to a mixed start in the National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
. Kildare had some victories in the group stages, however, the team failed to make the knock-out stages of the competition. Kildare's next competitive game was a Christy Ring Cup
Christy Ring Cup
The Christy Ring Cup is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 2005 for middle-ranking hurling teams in Ireland....
first round game against Derry
Derry GAA
The Derry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Derry GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. It is responsible for Gaelic games in the GAA county of Derry, which covers virtually the same territory as the former administrative county of Londonderry...
. Comerford's side easily won that game by 2-28 to 1-12. The next game saw Kildare trounce Armagh
Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Armagh...
with a facile 5-16 to 0-13 victory. This win saw Kildare top division 2D of the Christy Ring Cup and book a place in the quarter-finals of the competition. That game was played at home in St. Conleth's Park
St. Conleth's Park
St. Conleth's Park is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland. It is one of the main grounds of Kildare GAA's Gaelic football and hurling teams. The ground has a capacity of 13,000....
with Westmeath
Westmeath GAA
The Westmeath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Westmeath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Westmeath...
, the reigning champions, providing the opposition. After an exciting game Kildare, in spite of home advantage, were still defeated by 3-13 to 2-22. This brought Kildare's cup campaign to an end.
In 2009, Kildare played in Division 3A of the National Hurling League, winning three of their matches and losing two. This allowed them to qualify for the Division 3A Final, where they beat Meath, promoting them to Division 2 for 2010. They later played in the Christy Ring Cup
Christy Ring Cup 2009
The 2009 Christy Ring Cup is the 5th annual second-tier hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association. Eight county teams participate in the competition...
, beating Westmeath, but losing to Carlow and Mayo.