Bryan Cullen
Encyclopedia
Bryan Cullen is an Irish
Gaelic football
er who currently plays as a left wing-forward for the Dublin
senior team.
Cullen made his first appearance for the team during the 2003 championship
and has become a regular player over the last few seasons. During that time he has won one All-Ireland
winner's medal and six Leinster
winner's medals. In 2011 Cullen captained the team to the All-Ireland title, baeting Kerry
in the final
.
At club level, Cullen plays with Skerries Harps
.
Cullen is also studying for a PhD at Dublin City University
.
. With the Dublin Under 21 team, he won the Leinster Under 21 Championship
three times, and the All-Ireland Under 21 Championship
once. His brother Graham was also on the All-Ireland Under 21 winning team.
Cullen was called up to the Dublin Senior team in 2003, and made his League
debut against Armagh
in February 2003. He made his Championship
debut later that year against Louth
. In 2005, he won a Leinster Senior Football Championship
medal with Dublin; defeating Laois
in the final, with Cullen scoring three points. He scored eight points in total in that year's Leinster and All-Ireland Championships.
Cullen was cited after the controversial 2006 National League clash between Dublin and Tyrone
. A game in which resulted in disciplinary action being taken against nine players involved in the game. Cullen was suspended for four weeks in accordance with Rules 140 and 138, which deals with physical contact. Cullen along with Dublin's Ciarán Whelan
, Alan Brogan
and Kevin Bonner
were all exonerated from all charges along with the Tyrone trio of Kevin Hughes
, Michael McGee
and Eoin Mulligan
. The official reason given for the exhoneration was stated as 'a technicality'. Owing to the regular Dublin captain Collie Moran's prolonged injury, Cullen captained Dublin to victory against Laois
in the 2006 Leinster semi-final. He also captained the team for most of the 2006 Leinster final, although Moran made his long awaited return to the Dublin team in time to deliver the winning speech. Dublins two captains stood shoulder to shoulder holding the Delaney Cup after an easy win over Offaly
in the match. Cullen continued to captain Dublin against Westmeath
in the All-Ireland quarter-final and Mayo
in the semi-final despite Moran's return to fitness. Cullen was nominated for an All Star award in the half-back line for his 2006 performances. He missed out on the All Star, but was named half-back on the 2006 GPA Team of the Year
.
Cullen came on as a substitute in the 2007
O'Byrne Cup
final against Laois at O'Connor Park
in Offaly. Dublin won the game 1-18 to 2-13. The 2007 National League saw Dublin being relegated to Division 2. In that year's Championship, Dublin won the Leinster Championship again, before being knocked out of the All-Ireland Championship be Kerry
at the semi-final stage.
Cullen was on Dublin's 2008 O'Byrne Cup winning team - defeating Longford
in the final. Later in the year, he won a fourth consecutive Leinster Championship medal with the county, before being beaten by Tyrone in the All-Ireland quarter-final stage.
Cullen guided Dublin to victory as captain in their opening match of the 2011 Leinster Senior Football Championship against Laois. He scored a point in the game in what proved to be a facile win of 1-16 to 0-11 at Croke Park. Dublin advanced to face Kildare in the semi final of the Leinster championship. Dublin became won against the lilywhites with a controversial free in the dying minutes of the game. Cullen scored a point in the game and continued his unbeaten run in the championship as team captain in a game that finished on the scoreline 1-12 to 1-11. Cullen continued his trend of a point a game against Wexford in the Leinster final. Dublin won the 2011 Leinster senior football championship with a disappointing performance against a strong Wexford side. The game finished with James McCarthy's goal proving the difference between the sides. The game finished 2-12 to 1-12.
In a repeat of the previous years quarter final, Dublin were drawn against Tyrone. Unlike last year, Dublin pulled off a hugely convincing victory over Tyrone with Diarmuid Connolly dominating the scoring and Cullen continuing his trend of a point a game. Dublin won the game by a margin of seven points with the Croke park clash ending 0-22 to 0-15. Dublin progressed to the semi final against a very defensive Donegal side. Cullen scored again and Dublin won the game in a low scoring affair ending sixteen years of absence from the all-Ireland final. The semi final against Donegal finished 0-08 to 0-06 and was a game that led to a final against a much fancied Kerry team. Cullen captained Dublin to all-Ireland victory at a packed Croke Park. With seven minutes remaining, Kerry were leading by four points and a victory looked very likely the Kingdom. Once substitute Kevin McMenamon scored a goal for Dublin, it was clear that Dublin were not beaten. In the dying minutes of the game, goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton kicked a free over the bar to give Dublin a dramatic victory against a stunned Kerry side. The game finished 1-12 to 1-11 giving Cullen the honour of being the first Dubliner to lift the Sam Maguire cup since 1995.
in the International Rules Series
in 2004, 2005
and 2008
which Ireland won in 2004 and 2005. He was not selected for the team that lost to Australia in 2010.
when they won the Sigerson Cup
for the first time ever in 2006. In doing so, Cullen became the first Dublin player to captain a Sigerson winning team. Cullen won his second Sigerson Cup medal in 2010 when DCU defeated UCC in the final.
, Cullen was offered the role of coaching Leinster Rugby
's academy players.
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...
Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
er who currently plays as a left wing-forward for the 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...
senior team.
Cullen made his first appearance for the team during the 2003 championship
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2003
The 2003 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship was won by Tyrone in a landmark final that was the first All-Ireland final that was contested by two teams from the same province, Tyrone, and Armagh - both from Ulster....
and has become a regular player over the last few seasons. During that time he has won one All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
winner's medal and six Leinster
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....
winner's medals. In 2011 Cullen captained the team to the All-Ireland title, baeting Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry 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 Kerry...
in the final
2011 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final
The 2011 All-Ireland Football Final was the 124th event of its kind. It was the culmination of Gaelic football's premier competition, the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, and was played between Kerry and Dublin on 18 September 2011 at Croke Park, Dublin.Dublin were victorious by a single...
.
At club level, Cullen plays with Skerries Harps
Skerries Harps GAA
Skerries Harps is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Skerries, County Dublin, Ireland, playing Gaelic football, hurling and camogie. Notable ex-players include Bobby Beggs, Paddy Ellis. Dublin GAA superstar Bryan Cullen is a current player. The club is located on the Dublin Road in...
.
Cullen is also studying for a PhD at Dublin City University
Dublin City University
Dublin City University is a university situated between Glasnevin, Santry, Ballymun and Whitehall on the Northside of Dublin in Ireland...
.
Inter-county
At Minor level, Cullen was part of the Dublin side that won the 2001 Leinster Minor Football ChampionshipLeinster Minor Football Championship
The Leinster Minor Football Championship is a Gaelic football "knockout" competition played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council. Each county in the province fields a team in the competition. The term "minor" is given to players who are...
. With the Dublin Under 21 team, he won the Leinster Under 21 Championship
Leinster Under-21 Football Championship
For information on the latest U-21 championship see: Leinster U21 Football Championship 2007The Leinster Under-21 Football Championship is the Under 21 "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in the province of Leinster in Ireland...
three times, and the All-Ireland Under 21 Championship
All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship
The All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and are played during the summer months...
once. His brother Graham was also on the All-Ireland Under 21 winning team.
Cullen was called up to the Dublin Senior team in 2003, and made his League
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
debut against 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...
in February 2003. He made his Championship
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
debut later that year against Louth
Louth GAA
The Louth County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Louth GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Louth. The county board is also responsible for the Louth inter-county teams....
. In 2005, he won a Leinster Senior Football Championship
Leinster Senior Football Championship
The GAA Leinster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council and are played during the summer months. The competition involves the counties of...
medal with Dublin; defeating Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
in the final, with Cullen scoring three points. He scored eight points in total in that year's Leinster and All-Ireland Championships.
Cullen was cited after the controversial 2006 National League clash between Dublin and Tyrone
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
. A game in which resulted in disciplinary action being taken against nine players involved in the game. Cullen was suspended for four weeks in accordance with Rules 140 and 138, which deals with physical contact. Cullen along with Dublin's Ciarán Whelan
Ciarán Whelan
Ciarán Whelan is a former inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for Dublin although he remains a club footballer with Raheny. He is right footed but can kick with both feet and usually plays in midfield. He was a member of the Dublin squad from 1996 to 2009...
, Alan Brogan
Alan Brogan
Alan Brogan is an Irish Gaelic footballer from Dublinwho plays for St. Oliver Plunkett's. He is the son of famous Dublin footballer Bernard Brogan. He can play in the full forward line but usually plays centre half forward for Dublin...
and Kevin Bonner
Kevin Bonner
Kevin Bonner is an Irish gaelic footballer who plays inter-county football for Dublin GAA. Kevin, the son of Donegal footballing legend, Séamus Bonner. He plays his club football for St...
were all exonerated from all charges along with the Tyrone trio of Kevin Hughes
Kevin Hughes (GAA)
Kevin Hughes is an All-Ireland-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He was a major figure in Tyrone's midfield on their way to their first ever All-Ireland triumph in 2003, earning the Man of the Match for the All-Ireland final against Armagh....
, Michael McGee
Michael McGee
Michael "Mickey" McGee is a Gaelic footballer for Loughmacrory, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.-Awards:Mickey has two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship winner’s medals...
and Eoin Mulligan
Eoin Mulligan
Eoin "Mugsy" Mulligan is an Irish Gaelic football player. He helped Tyrone win the 2003, 2005 and 2008 All-Ireland Finals and plays in Cookstown for the Fr...
. The official reason given for the exhoneration was stated as 'a technicality'. Owing to the regular Dublin captain Collie Moran's prolonged injury, Cullen captained Dublin to victory against Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
in the 2006 Leinster semi-final. He also captained the team for most of the 2006 Leinster final, although Moran made his long awaited return to the Dublin team in time to deliver the winning speech. Dublins two captains stood shoulder to shoulder holding the Delaney Cup after an easy win over 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...
in the match. Cullen continued to captain Dublin against 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...
in the All-Ireland quarter-final and Mayo
Mayo GAA
The Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...
in the semi-final despite Moran's return to fitness. Cullen was nominated for an All Star award in the half-back line for his 2006 performances. He missed out on the All Star, but was named half-back on the 2006 GPA Team of the Year
GPA Gaelic Team of the Year
The GPA Gaelic Team of the Year known for sponsorship reason as The Opel Gaelic Team of the Year awards were an awards ceremony to honour the performances ofGaelic Athletic Association players...
.
Cullen came on as a substitute in the 2007
O'Byrne Cup 2007
-First Round:The first round saw the withdrawal of Kilkenny who were then replaced by Dundalk IT. Dundalk IT later dropped out of the competition which means that Wexford go on to play in the Quarter final on January 4, 2007. The first match of the O'Byrne Cup was played between Carlow and Wicklow...
O'Byrne Cup
O'Byrne Cup
The O'Byrne Cup is a Gaelic football competition organised by the Leinster GAA. The competition is named after Matt O'Byrne, a former Wicklow GAA club officer. Participants include the twelve county teams and four colleges. The O'Byrne Cup 2011 champions are Kildare, who beat Louth in the final by...
final against Laois at O'Connor Park
O'Connor Park
O'Connor Park is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland. It is one of the principal grounds of the Offaly GAA Gaelic football and hurling teams. The ground was opened in 1934. and currently has a capacity of 20,000....
in Offaly. Dublin won the game 1-18 to 2-13. The 2007 National League saw Dublin being relegated to Division 2. In that year's Championship, Dublin won the Leinster Championship again, before being knocked out of the All-Ireland Championship be Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry 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 Kerry...
at the semi-final stage.
Cullen was on Dublin's 2008 O'Byrne Cup winning team - defeating Longford
Longford GAA
The Longford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Longford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Longford...
in the final. Later in the year, he won a fourth consecutive Leinster Championship medal with the county, before being beaten by Tyrone in the All-Ireland quarter-final stage.
Cullen guided Dublin to victory as captain in their opening match of the 2011 Leinster Senior Football Championship against Laois. He scored a point in the game in what proved to be a facile win of 1-16 to 0-11 at Croke Park. Dublin advanced to face Kildare in the semi final of the Leinster championship. Dublin became won against the lilywhites with a controversial free in the dying minutes of the game. Cullen scored a point in the game and continued his unbeaten run in the championship as team captain in a game that finished on the scoreline 1-12 to 1-11. Cullen continued his trend of a point a game against Wexford in the Leinster final. Dublin won the 2011 Leinster senior football championship with a disappointing performance against a strong Wexford side. The game finished with James McCarthy's goal proving the difference between the sides. The game finished 2-12 to 1-12.
In a repeat of the previous years quarter final, Dublin were drawn against Tyrone. Unlike last year, Dublin pulled off a hugely convincing victory over Tyrone with Diarmuid Connolly dominating the scoring and Cullen continuing his trend of a point a game. Dublin won the game by a margin of seven points with the Croke park clash ending 0-22 to 0-15. Dublin progressed to the semi final against a very defensive Donegal side. Cullen scored again and Dublin won the game in a low scoring affair ending sixteen years of absence from the all-Ireland final. The semi final against Donegal finished 0-08 to 0-06 and was a game that led to a final against a much fancied Kerry team. Cullen captained Dublin to all-Ireland victory at a packed Croke Park. With seven minutes remaining, Kerry were leading by four points and a victory looked very likely the Kingdom. Once substitute Kevin McMenamon scored a goal for Dublin, it was clear that Dublin were not beaten. In the dying minutes of the game, goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton kicked a free over the bar to give Dublin a dramatic victory against a stunned Kerry side. The game finished 1-12 to 1-11 giving Cullen the honour of being the first Dubliner to lift the Sam Maguire cup since 1995.
International Rules
Cullen has represented IrelandIreland international rules football team
The Ireland International rules football team is the representative team for Ireland in international rules football, a compromise between Gaelic football and Australian rules football...
in the International Rules Series
International Rules Series
The International Rules Series is a senior men's International rules football competition between the Australia international rules football team and the Ireland international rules football team...
in 2004, 2005
2005 International Rules Series
The 2005 International Rules series was the 8th annual International Rules Series and the 14th time that a test series of International rules football was played between Ireland and Australia and was won by Australia....
and 2008
2008 International Rules Series
The 2008 International Rules series was the 10th annual International Rules Series and the 16th time that a test series of international rules football has been played between Ireland and Australia....
which Ireland won in 2004 and 2005. He was not selected for the team that lost to Australia in 2010.
School / college
Cullen was captain of DCUDublin City University
Dublin City University is a university situated between Glasnevin, Santry, Ballymun and Whitehall on the Northside of Dublin in Ireland...
when they won the Sigerson Cup
Sigerson Cup
The Sigerson Cup is the top division of Higher Education Gaelic football in Ireland, It is administrated by the Higher Education committee which is part of the Gaelic Athletic Association...
for the first time ever in 2006. In doing so, Cullen became the first Dublin player to captain a Sigerson winning team. Cullen won his second Sigerson Cup medal in 2010 when DCU defeated UCC in the final.
Leinster Rugby
After the 2011 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final2011 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final
The 2011 All-Ireland Football Final was the 124th event of its kind. It was the culmination of Gaelic football's premier competition, the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, and was played between Kerry and Dublin on 18 September 2011 at Croke Park, Dublin.Dublin were victorious by a single...
, Cullen was offered the role of coaching Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
's academy players.