Cathal Naughton
Encyclopedia
Cathal Naughton is an Irish
sportsperson. He plays hurling
with his local club Newtownshandrum
and with the Cork senior inter-county team.
in 1987. He was educated locally and, in his youth, he was noted as a great all-rounder at various sports. He moved to England as a Nottingham Forest F.C.
trainee after being spotted playing with his local club Charleville F.C. but he released a year after and returned home to play hurling.
with Newtownshandrum
. He enjoyed some success at underage levels, before winning a senior county championship
medal in 2005. This was later converted into a Munster
club title, however, 'Newtown' were beaten by Portumna
in the All-Ireland club final. In spite of this and defeats in recent years Newtown are still regarded as one of the top clubs in Cork.
title in that grade that year, however, All-Ireland success proved elusive. Naughton added a second Munster title to his collection in 2006, however, Cork failed in the All-Ireland series once again. He later progressed onto the county under-21 team where he won a Munster
medal in 2007. Cork were later defeated by Galway
in the All-Ireland final.
By this stage Naughton had already made an impact on the Cork senior hurling team. He made his senior championship debut in the 2006 All-Ireland semi-final against Waterford
. Naughton came on as a surprise substitute as full forward and scored a goal and a point with his first two touches of the sliothar and effectively winning the match for Cork. He has made many appearances for Cork since then and is regarded as a player for the future, however, he has yet to win any silverware as senior level.
Naughton earned a spot on the 2008 all-star team and in an exhibition match against the 2009 all-stars scored a late point to force a draw.
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,...
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 Newtownshandrum
Newtownshandrum GAA
Newtownshandrum GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the small village of Newtownshandrum in County Cork, Ireland. The club, situated in half a parish of about 800 people, was founded in 1896 and is almost exclusively concerned with the game of hurling.In senior hurling...
and with the Cork senior inter-county team.
Early life
Cathal Naughton was born in Newtownshandrum, County CorkCounty Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
in 1987. He was educated locally and, in his youth, he was noted as a great all-rounder at various sports. He moved to England as a Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
trainee after being spotted playing with his local club Charleville F.C. but he released a year after and returned home to play hurling.
Club
Naughton plays his club hurlingHurling
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 Newtownshandrum
Newtownshandrum GAA
Newtownshandrum GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the small village of Newtownshandrum in County Cork, Ireland. The club, situated in half a parish of about 800 people, was founded in 1896 and is almost exclusively concerned with the game of hurling.In senior hurling...
. He enjoyed some success at underage levels, before winning a senior county championship
Cork Senior Hurling Championship
The Evening Echo Cork County Senior Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in the county of Cork in Ireland....
medal in 2005. This was later converted into a Munster
Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 for the top hurling clubs in the province of Munster in Ireland...
club title, however, 'Newtown' were beaten by Portumna
Portumna GAA
Portumna GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the town of Portumna in County Galway. The club is almost exclusively focused on hurling.-History:...
in the All-Ireland club final. In spite of this and defeats in recent years Newtown are still regarded as one of the top clubs in Cork.
Inter-county
Naughton first came to prominence on the inter-county scene in 2004 as a member of the Cork minor hurling team. He won a MunsterMunster Minor Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Minor Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for the youngest competitors in the province of Munster in Ireland...
title in that grade that year, however, All-Ireland success proved elusive. Naughton added a second Munster title to his collection in 2006, however, Cork failed in the All-Ireland series once again. He later progressed onto the county under-21 team where he won a Munster
Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Under-21 Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 for players aged between 18 and 21 in the province of Munster in Ireland...
medal in 2007. Cork were later defeated 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 final.
By this stage Naughton had already made an impact on the Cork senior hurling team. He made his senior championship debut in the 2006 All-Ireland semi-final against 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...
. Naughton came on as a surprise substitute as full forward and scored a goal and a point with his first two touches of the sliothar and effectively winning the match for Cork. He has made many appearances for Cork since then and is regarded as a player for the future, however, he has yet to win any silverware as senior level.
Naughton earned a spot on the 2008 all-star team and in an exhibition match against the 2009 all-stars scored a late point to force a draw.