Benny Dunne
Encyclopedia
Benny Dunne is an Irish
sportsperson. He plays hurling
with his local club Toomevara
and was a member of the Tipperary
senior inter-county team from 2002 until his retirement in 2011.
. In 2001 he captured his second county title. More success followed for Dunne, winning back-to-back county titles in 2003 and 2004, as well as winning a first Munster club title. In 2006 Dunne won his fifth Tipperary SHC title. He subsequently captured his second Munster title, however, his side lost in the All-Ireland club semi-final with Dunne's brother, Tommy Dunne
, being controversially sent off.
under-21 hurling team in 2000. His two-year stint with this team was largely unsuccessful in terms of capturing any silverware.
Dunne made his senior debut in a National Hurling League
game against Derry
in 2002. His introduction to the senior team coincided with a downturn in Tipp's fortunes following an undefeated season in 2001. After losing the Munster final to Waterford
Dunne's side subsequently exited the championship at the hands of eventual champions Kilkenny
in the All-Ireland semi-final.
2003 was also a disappointing year for Tipperary. The team exited the provincial championship at an early stage, however, they still reached the All-Ireland semi-final where they were trounced by Kilkenny for the second consecutive year.
In 2004 Tipp crashed out of the Munster championship at an early stage once again and were later defeated by arch rivals Cork in the qualifiers.
In 2005 Dunne was apopointed captain of the team as Tipp bounced back to recah the Munster final. Cork, the All-Ireland champions, provided the opposition on that occasion; however, it was the Leesiders that emerged victorious by 1-21 to 1-16. Tipp were later eliminated from the championship by old rivals and subsequent All-Ireland finalists Galway
.
In 2006 Babs Keating returned as manager of the team, however, Dunne was relegated to the substitutes' bench. He was introduced in the Munster final against Cork, however, it was 'the Rebels' who triumphed on a score line of 2-14 to 1-14. Dunne played no further part in the championship as Tipp were eventually knocked out by Waterford in the All-Ireland quarter-final,
In 2007 Dunne endured another frustrating season as Tipp failed to land any silverware yet again. Babs Keating was replaced by Liam Sheedy
as manager following the completion of the championship. Although Dunne was still on the fringe of the starting fifteen, he still played a key role as an impact sub. Tipp began the year well by winning the Waterford Crystal Cup
. The men from the Premier County later remained undefeated in the National League before meeting Galway in the final. In an exciting game Tipp emerged victorious by 3-18 to 3-16 and Dunne collected his first National League winners' medal. Tipperary later reached the Munster final where they defeated a resurgent Clare
team by 2-21 to 0-19. Dunne came off the bench to collect his first Munster
winners' medal. Tipperary were subsequently defeated in a tense All-Ireland semi-final by Waterford on a scoreline of 1-20 to 1-18.
At the start of 2009 Tipperary were regarded as the main challengers to Kilkenny’s assault on the four-in-a-row of All-Ireland championship titles. Both sides lined out against each other in the final of the National League. Tipperary stormed into a decisive lead as they took the game by the scruff of the; however, ‘the Cats’ clawed their way back into the game. At the end of normal time both sides were level. A period of extra-time followed, however, in spite of a 2-26 to 4-17 defeat, Dunne's side were widely lauded for their performance. The subsequent championship campaign saw Tipp reach the Munster final for a second consecutive year. Dunne's side had a good lead at the interval, however, the Decies fought back to narrow the deficit and maybe cause an upset. In the end Tipp won the game by 4-14 to 2-16. Once again Dunne was introduced as a sub and collected his second consecutive Munster winners’ medal. After a six-week lay-off and a facile semi-final win over Limerick
, Tipp qualified for an All-Ireland final meeting with Kilkenny. For much of the match it looked as if Tipp would pull off a shock and deny 'the Cats' a record-equaling four-in-a-row. Two quick goals in the space of a minute, one from a penalty by Henry Shefflin
, sealed a 2-22 to 0-23 victory and defeat for Tipperary. Furthermore, Dunne only lasted seven minutes on the field as he was shown a staright red card for a wild pull on Tommy Walsh
.
In 2010 Tipperary were regarded as being the second best team in the country once again. Their first championship assignment was a clash with Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh
. While Tipp were the favourites going into the game Cork ambushed Dunne's side with a 3-15 to 0-14 defeat. The qualifiers beckoned and, after victories over Wexford, Offaly
, Galway and Waterford, Tipperary reached a second consecutive All-Ireland final. Kilkenny, a team chasing an unprecedented fifth successive championship, provided the opposition and a great game was expected. Tipperary got off to a great start as Kilkenny's star forward Henry Shefflin had to leave the field with an injury. A hat-trick of goals by Lar Corbett
and a fourth by Noel McGrath denied Kilkenny's drive-for-five and secured a remarkable 4-17 to 1-18 victory. Dunne made up for the disappointment of the previous year by coming on as a sub and chipping in with a key point. It was his first All-Ireland
winners' medal.
In October 2011 Dunne announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
sportsperson. He plays 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...
with his local club Toomevara
Toomevara GAA
Toomevara GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the parish of Toomevara in County Tipperary, Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with hurling.-Honours:*Munster Senior Club Hurling Championships: 3** 1993, 2004, 2006...
and was a member of the Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
senior inter-county team from 2002 until his retirement in 2011.
Club
Over the last decade Dunne has had great success with the Toomevara club, beginning in 2000 when he won his first Tipperary SHCTipperary Senior Hurling Championship
The Tipperary Senior Hurling Club Championship is an annual club competition between the top Tipperary hurling clubs...
. In 2001 he captured his second county title. More success followed for Dunne, winning back-to-back county titles in 2003 and 2004, as well as winning a first Munster club title. In 2006 Dunne won his fifth Tipperary SHC title. He subsequently captured his second Munster title, however, his side lost in the All-Ireland club semi-final with Dunne's brother, Tommy Dunne
Tommy Dunne
Tomás Dunne is an Irish hurling coach and former player. He is the current coach of the Tipperary senior hurling team....
, being controversially sent off.
Inter-county
Dunne first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the TipperaryTipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
under-21 hurling team in 2000. His two-year stint with this team was largely unsuccessful in terms of capturing any silverware.
Dunne made his senior debut in a 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...
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...
in 2002. His introduction to the senior team coincided with a downturn in Tipp's fortunes following an undefeated season in 2001. After losing the Munster final to Waterford
Waterford GAA
The Waterford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Waterford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for all levels of Gaelic games in County Waterford. The County Board is also responsible for the Waterford inter-county teams. The county...
Dunne's side subsequently exited the championship at the hands of eventual champions 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...
in the All-Ireland semi-final.
2003 was also a disappointing year for Tipperary. The team exited the provincial championship at an early stage, however, they still reached the All-Ireland semi-final where they were trounced by Kilkenny for the second consecutive year.
In 2004 Tipp crashed out of the Munster championship at an early stage once again and were later defeated by arch rivals Cork in the qualifiers.
In 2005 Dunne was apopointed captain of the team as Tipp bounced back to recah the Munster final. Cork, the All-Ireland champions, provided the opposition on that occasion; however, it was the Leesiders that emerged victorious by 1-21 to 1-16. Tipp were later eliminated from the championship by old rivals and subsequent All-Ireland finalists 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 2006 Babs Keating returned as manager of the team, however, Dunne was relegated to the substitutes' bench. He was introduced in the Munster final against Cork, however, it was 'the Rebels' who triumphed on a score line of 2-14 to 1-14. Dunne played no further part in the championship as Tipp were eventually knocked out by Waterford in the All-Ireland quarter-final,
In 2007 Dunne endured another frustrating season as Tipp failed to land any silverware yet again. Babs Keating was replaced by Liam Sheedy
Liam Sheedy
Liam Sheedy is an Irish former hurler and manager. He played for his local club Portroe and was a member of the Tipperary senior inter-county team from 1997 until 1999...
as manager following the completion of the championship. Although Dunne was still on the fringe of the starting fifteen, he still played a key role as an impact sub. Tipp began the year well by winning the Waterford Crystal Cup
Waterford Crystal Cup
The Waterford Crystal Cup is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 2006 for the top inter-county teams and third-level universities and institutes of technology teams in the province of Munster in Ireland.The series of games are...
. The men from the Premier County later remained undefeated in the National League before meeting Galway in the final. In an exciting game Tipp emerged victorious by 3-18 to 3-16 and Dunne collected his first National League winners' medal. Tipperary later reached the Munster final where they defeated a resurgent 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....
team by 2-21 to 0-19. Dunne came off the bench to collect his first Munster
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster 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 Munster in Ireland....
winners' medal. Tipperary were subsequently defeated in a tense All-Ireland semi-final by Waterford on a scoreline of 1-20 to 1-18.
At the start of 2009 Tipperary were regarded as the main challengers to Kilkenny’s assault on the four-in-a-row of All-Ireland championship titles. Both sides lined out against each other in the final of the National League. Tipperary stormed into a decisive lead as they took the game by the scruff of the; however, ‘the Cats’ clawed their way back into the game. At the end of normal time both sides were level. A period of extra-time followed, however, in spite of a 2-26 to 4-17 defeat, Dunne's side were widely lauded for their performance. The subsequent championship campaign saw Tipp reach the Munster final for a second consecutive year. Dunne's side had a good lead at the interval, however, the Decies fought back to narrow the deficit and maybe cause an upset. In the end Tipp won the game by 4-14 to 2-16. Once again Dunne was introduced as a sub and collected his second consecutive Munster winners’ medal. After a six-week lay-off and a facile semi-final win over Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
, Tipp qualified for an All-Ireland final meeting with Kilkenny. For much of the match it looked as if Tipp would pull off a shock and deny 'the Cats' a record-equaling four-in-a-row. Two quick goals in the space of a minute, one from a penalty by Henry Shefflin
Henry Shefflin
Henry Shefflin is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Ballyhale Shamrocks and has been a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team since 1999...
, sealed a 2-22 to 0-23 victory and defeat for Tipperary. Furthermore, Dunne only lasted seven minutes on the field as he was shown a staright red card for a wild pull on Tommy Walsh
Tommy Walsh (hurler)
Tommy Walsh is an Irish hurler who currently plays as a right wing-back for the Kilkenny senior team. He joined the team during the 2002 championship and became a regular member of the starting fifteen the following year....
.
In 2010 Tipperary were regarded as being the second best team in the country once again. Their first championship assignment was a clash with Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Páirc Uí Chaoimh is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in the Ballintemple area of Cork in Ireland, where major hurling and Gaelic football matches are played. It is the home of Cork GAA...
. While Tipp were the favourites going into the game Cork ambushed Dunne's side with a 3-15 to 0-14 defeat. The qualifiers beckoned and, after victories over Wexford, 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...
, Galway and Waterford, Tipperary reached a second consecutive All-Ireland final. Kilkenny, a team chasing an unprecedented fifth successive championship, provided the opposition and a great game was expected. Tipperary got off to a great start as Kilkenny's star forward Henry Shefflin had to leave the field with an injury. A hat-trick of goals by Lar Corbett
Lar Corbett
Lar Corbett is an Irish sportsman. He plays hurling with his local club Thurles Sarsfields and has been a member of the Tipperary senior inter-county team since 2001.-Club:...
and a fourth by Noel McGrath denied Kilkenny's drive-for-five and secured a remarkable 4-17 to 1-18 victory. Dunne made up for the disappointment of the previous year by coming on as a sub and chipping in with a key point. It was his 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....
winners' medal.
In October 2011 Dunne announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.
Tipperary
- All-Ireland Senior Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe 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....
:- Winner (1): 2010
- Runner-up (2): 2009, 2011
- Munster Senior Hurling ChampionshipMunster Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe Munster 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 Munster in Ireland....
:- Winner (3): 2008, 2009, 2011
- Runner-up (3): 2002, 2005, 2006
- National Hurling LeagueNational Hurling LeagueThe 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...
:- Winner (1): 2008
- Runner-up (2): 2003, 2009