Iggy Clarke
Encyclopedia
Fr. Iggy Clarke is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Mullagh and with the Galway
senior inter-county team from 1972 until 1984. Clarke is regarded as one of Galway’s greatest-ever players.
minor team in the late 1960s. In 1970 Clarke’s side reached the All-Ireland final, however, Galway were defeated by Cork on that occasion.
Clarke subsequently joined the county under-21 panel and enjoyed more success. In 1972 Galway reached the All-Ireland final in that grade. Dublin
provided the opposition on that occasion, however, victory went to Galway and Clarke collected a coveted All-Ireland
medal.
By this stage Clarke had already made his debut with the Galway senior team. He first tasted major success in 1975 as Galway captured the National Hurling League
title. It was a sign of things to come for the team. Later that summer Clarke’s side trounced Westmeath
and shocked Cork to book their place in the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny
, the reigning champions, provided the opposition on that occasion. Galway got off to a good start and took a 0-9 to 1-3 lead at half-time. Kilkenny, inspired by marvelous displays by Eddie Keher
and Liam 'Chunky' O'Brien
, powered on to win by 2-22 to 2-10. In spite of this defeat Clarke was later presented with his first All-Star
award.
Galway faced a series of defeats at the penultimate stage of the championship for the next few seasons; however, Clarke captured a second All-Star award in 1978. The following year Galway shocked Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final for the second time of the decade. Once again the All-Ireland final saw Galway play Kilkenny. In one of the least exciting finals of the decade Galway continued their losing streak and capitulated to ‘the Cats’ by 2-12 to 1-8. In spite of the defeat Clarke claimed a third All-Star.
In 1980 Galway defeated Kildare
and Offaly
to reach a second consecutive All-Ireland final. On that occasion Limerick
provided the opposition, however, Clarke missed the game. Galway got off to a good start with two goals and led by 2-7 to 1-5 at the interval. Limerick fought back in the second-half; however, Galway secured the victory by 2-15 to 3-9. It was Galway’s first All-Ireland
medal and Galway’s first since 1923. The celebrations at Croke Park
on that occasion surpassed anything that had ever been seen before. Clarke capped off the year by collecting a fourth All-Star award.
In 1981 both Galway and Limerick met in the All-Ireland semi-final, however, it took a replay to find a winner. Galway emerged to take part in their third All-Ireland final in-a-row. Offaly, a team that Clarke’s side defeated on the way to the championship the previous year now provided the opposition. In another close encounter Galway looked set to make history as they took a six point lead after the interval. The team, however, failed to score for the last twenty-three minutes and Offaly took their first All-Ireland title.
The next three seasons saw Galway defeated at the All-Ireland semi-final stage. Clarke retired from inter-county hurling in 1984.
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He captured his first Railway Cup title in 1980 as Connacht defeated Munster
. Silke captured further Railway Cup medals in 1982 and 1983.
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 played 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 Mullagh and with the 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,...
senior inter-county team from 1972 until 1984. Clarke is regarded as one of Galway’s greatest-ever players.
Club
Clarke played his club hurling with his local Mullagh club. He enjoyed little success with the club and never won a senior county title during his playing days.Inter-county
Clarke first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with the GalwayGalway 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,...
minor team in the late 1960s. In 1970 Clarke’s side reached the All-Ireland final, however, Galway were defeated by Cork on that occasion.
Clarke subsequently joined the county under-21 panel and enjoyed more success. In 1972 Galway reached the All-Ireland final in that grade. 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...
provided the opposition on that occasion, however, victory went to Galway and Clarke collected a coveted 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...
medal.
By this stage Clarke had already made his debut with the Galway senior team. He first tasted major success in 1975 as Galway captured 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...
title. It was a sign of things to come for the team. Later that summer Clarke’s side trounced 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...
and shocked Cork to book their place in the All-Ireland final. 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...
, the reigning champions, provided the opposition on that occasion. Galway got off to a good start and took a 0-9 to 1-3 lead at half-time. Kilkenny, inspired by marvelous displays by Eddie Keher
Eddie Keher
Edward Peter Keher , better known as Eddie Keher, is a retired Irish hurling manager and former player. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game....
and Liam 'Chunky' O'Brien
Liam O'Brien (hurler)
-Teams:...
, powered on to win by 2-22 to 2-10. In spite of this defeat Clarke was later presented with his first All-Star
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
award.
Galway faced a series of defeats at the penultimate stage of the championship for the next few seasons; however, Clarke captured a second All-Star award in 1978. The following year Galway shocked Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final for the second time of the decade. Once again the All-Ireland final saw Galway play Kilkenny. In one of the least exciting finals of the decade Galway continued their losing streak and capitulated to ‘the Cats’ by 2-12 to 1-8. In spite of the defeat Clarke claimed a third All-Star.
In 1980 Galway defeated 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...
and 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...
to reach a second consecutive All-Ireland final. On that occasion 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...
provided the opposition, however, Clarke missed the game. Galway got off to a good start with two goals and led by 2-7 to 1-5 at the interval. Limerick fought back in the second-half; however, Galway secured the victory by 2-15 to 3-9. It was Galway’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 and Galway’s first since 1923. The celebrations at Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
on that occasion surpassed anything that had ever been seen before. Clarke capped off the year by collecting a fourth All-Star award.
In 1981 both Galway and Limerick met in the All-Ireland semi-final, however, it took a replay to find a winner. Galway emerged to take part in their third All-Ireland final in-a-row. Offaly, a team that Clarke’s side defeated on the way to the championship the previous year now provided the opposition. In another close encounter Galway looked set to make history as they took a six point lead after the interval. The team, however, failed to score for the last twenty-three minutes and Offaly took their first All-Ireland title.
The next three seasons saw Galway defeated at the All-Ireland semi-final stage. Clarke retired from inter-county hurling in 1984.
Provincial
Clarke also lined out with ConnachtConnacht 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:...
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He captured his first Railway Cup title in 1980 as Connacht defeated Munster
Munster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
. Silke captured further Railway Cup medals in 1982 and 1983.