John Callinan
Encyclopedia
John Callinan is a former Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with the Clare
senior inter-county team from 1973 until 1987.
, County Clare
in 1955 into a family of one brother and four sisters. He was educated locally and would later become one of Clare
’s greatest-ever hurling players.
He attended University College Dublin (UCD) where he also played on the University's Hurling Team.
He graduated as a Lawyer and currently practices in Ennis, Co.Clare.
with his local Clarecastle
club. He won senior county championship titles in 1986 and 1987.
minor team in the early 1970s before making his senior debut in 1973. The following year he played in his first Munster final
, however, his side lost out to Limerick
. Three years later in 1977 Callinan had his first major success when he won a National Hurling League
medal. However, this was followed by a Munster final defeat by Cork. In 1978 he won a second consecutive National League title, however, Clare lost out once again to Cork in the Munster final. Two further Munster final appearances ended in defeat for Callinan in 1981 and 1986. He retired from inter-county hurling following defeat in the championship in 1987.
In spite of never winning a championship medal Callinan did win three Railway Cup medals with Munster
in 1976, 1978 and 1981. He also won two All-Star
awards in 1979 and 1981.
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 the 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....
senior inter-county team from 1973 until 1987.
Early life
John Callinan was born in ClarecastleClarecastle
Clarecastle is a village located just south of Ennis, in County Clare, Ireland. Over the past ten years the village has a rapidly increasing population due to its close proximity to Ennis, Shannon and Limerick, and also less than an hour away from Galway city....
, County Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
in 1955 into a family of one brother and four sisters. He was educated locally and would later become one of 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....
’s greatest-ever hurling players.
He attended University College Dublin (UCD) where he also played on the University's Hurling Team.
He graduated as a Lawyer and currently practices in Ennis, Co.Clare.
Club
Callinan played 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 his local Clarecastle
Clarecastle GAA
Clarecastle GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in the village of Clarecastle in County Clare, Ireland.-Honours:*Clare Senior Hurling Championship:11**1943, 1945,1949, 1970, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2003, 2005...
club. He won senior county championship titles in 1986 and 1987.
Inter-county
Callinan played hurling with the ClareClare 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....
minor team in the early 1970s before making his senior debut in 1973. The following year he played in his first Munster final
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....
, however, his side lost out to 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...
. Three years later in 1977 Callinan had his first major success when he won 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...
medal. However, this was followed by a Munster final defeat by Cork. In 1978 he won a second consecutive National League title, however, Clare lost out once again to Cork in the Munster final. Two further Munster final appearances ended in defeat for Callinan in 1981 and 1986. He retired from inter-county hurling following defeat in the championship in 1987.
In spite of never winning a championship medal Callinan did win three Railway Cup medals with 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:...
in 1976, 1978 and 1981. He also won two 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...
awards in 1979 and 1981.