Lar Corbett
Encyclopedia
Lar Corbett is an Irish
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...

 sportsman. 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 Thurles Sarsfields and has been 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 since 2001.

Club

Corbett plays his club hurling with the famous Thurles Sarsfield's
Thurles Sarsfields GAA
Thurles Sarsfields is a Gaelic Athletic Association hurling club located in the town of Thurles in Tipperary, Ireland. The club was founded in 1881...

 club in his home town and has enjoyed some success. He first came to prominence as a member of the club's minor hurling team in the late 1990s and captured a minor county title in 1999.

Corbett subsequently joined the club's under-21 team where he enjoyed further success. In 2002 he added a county under-21 winners' medal to his collection as Thurles Sarsfield's triumphed in the championship decider.

By this stage Corbett had already joined the club's senior hurling team, however, even though Thurles Sarsfield's topped the county title roll of honour the club had fallen on hard times. They had not won the senior championship since 1974, however, Corbett was a new addition when 'Sar's' played 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...

 in the county final of 2000. The game was a close one, however, Toomevara's goal-scoring ability was the deciding factor. At the final whistle Corbett's side were defeated by 2-10 to 0-11.

In 2001 Thurles Sarsfields were back in the county championship decider once again. For the second year in-a-row Toomevara provided the opposition and were hoping to capture a fourth title in succession. On this occasion, however, Corbett's side were well beaten by 1-22 to 1-13.

A third county final in succession beckoned for Corbett's side in 2002, this time with Mullinahone
Mullinahone GAA
Mullinahone-CJ Kickhams GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association located in Mullinahone, south County Tipperary, Ireland, close to the border with County Kilkenny. The Mullinahone Club is named in honour of Charles J...

 providing the opposition. A close encounter followed and at the full-time whistle both sides finished level with 0-14 apiece. The replay was also a close affair, however, Corbett's side faced a heartbreaking 2-10 to 1-11 defeat.

For the fourth year in-a-row Thurles Sarsfield's qualified for the county championship decider. For the third time in those four appearances Toomevara provided the opposition. A high-scoring game developed, however, at the full-time whistle Toomevara were the champions by 3-19 to 3-14. This was a fourth consecutive county final defeat for Thurles Sarsfield's and for Corbett.

In 2005 Thurles Sarsfield's reached a fifth county final in six years. Drom-Inch
Drom-Inch GAA
Drom-Inch GAA Gaelic Athletic Association club is affiliated to the areas of Drom, Inch and Barnane . The main club grounds is located in Bouladuff, five miles outside Thurles in mid County Tipperary. It is located on the main Thurles to Nenagh R498_road. The clubs second pitch is located in Drom...

 were the opponents, however, on this occasion Corbett's side made no mistake. A great performance by Ger O'Grady
Ger O'Grady
Ger "Redser" O'Grady is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Thurles Sarsfields and is a former member of the Tipperary senior inter-county team....

 saw Thurles Sarsfield's bridge a 31-year gap and claim the county senior championship
Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship
The Tipperary Senior Hurling Club Championship is an annual club competition between the top Tipperary hurling clubs...

.

2008 saw Corbett line out in a sixth county championship final during his short career. Toomevara, a side that had put Sarsfield's to the sword on so many occasion in the past. Toomevara's Eoin Brislane, however, had the game of his life. He finished the day with 1-5 from play and was a large factor in 'Toome's' narrow 2-14 to 0-17 victory and yet another defeat for Corbett's side.

Thurles Sarsfield's regrouped in 2009 and reached the county final for the seventh time in ten years. Drom-Inch
Drom-Inch GAA
Drom-Inch GAA Gaelic Athletic Association club is affiliated to the areas of Drom, Inch and Barnane . The main club grounds is located in Bouladuff, five miles outside Thurles in mid County Tipperary. It is located on the main Thurles to Nenagh R498_road. The clubs second pitch is located in Drom...

 provided the opposition, however, the game was far from a classic. Sarsfield's were much too strong for the opposition and powered to a 0-14 to 0-5 victory. It was Corbett's second county championship triumph. In October 2010, Corbett won his third county title when Thurles defeated Clonoulty-Rossmore
Clonoulty-Rossmore GAA
Clonoulty-Rossmore GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the parish of Clonoulty and Rossmore, five miles from Cashel in County Tipperary, Ireland...

 by 1-16 to 1-7 in the final.

Inter-county

Surprisingly Corbett never played at minor level with 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...

. This is unusual as most players nearly always play on either one team or the other before playing on the senior team. He made his senior inter-county debut against 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....

 in the 2000 South East Hurling League playing at corner-forward.

In 2001 Corbett made his senior championship debut. He also enjoyed his best season with the Tipperary hurlers. The team booked their place in a third successive National League final at the start of the year. Clare were the opponents in that game, however, the great Clare team of the 1990s was now heading over-the-hill. Tipperary were the victors by 1-19 to 0-17, giving Corbett a coveted National League winners' medal. Tipperary later built on this success by qualifying for the Munster final against Limerick. In a close game Cornett's side broke back and won the game by 2-16 to 1-17. It was 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 and the premier county’s first provincial championship in eight years. Tipperary’s great run of success nearly came to an abrupt end in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final when they were held to a draw by Wexford. Tipp easily won the replay, setting up an All-Ireland final meeting with Galway. Mark O'Leary
Mark O'Leary (hurler)
Mark O'Leary is an Irish sportsman. He plays hurling with his local club Kilruane McDonaghs and previously with the Tipperary senior inter-county team.-Club:O'Leary plays his club hurling with his native Kilruane McDonaghs.-Inter-county:...

 scored two goals to give Tipperary a reasonably comfortable cushion, just enough to withstand a Galway comeback. Fergal Healy
Fergal Healy
Fergal Healy is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Craughwell and has been a member of the Galway senior inter-county team from 1997-2009.-Club:...

 hit the post twice, however, his goal, Galway’s second, cut the deficit to one point with just nine minutes left in the game. Tipp outscored Galway during that period to secure a 2-18 to 2-15 victory. It was Corbett'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....

 winners’ medal and Tipp’s first in a decade.

2002 proved to be a disappointment for Corbett after the highs of the previous year. Tipperary’s hurlers lined out 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...

 in the Munster hurling final and looked set for victory. The Decies had not won a provincial title since 1963 while Tipp were the All-Ireland champions. Things did not pan out that way as Tipp failed to score for the last twenty minutes. Waterford powered to a memorable 2-23 to 3-12 victory and a place in the history books. After overcoming Antrim
Antrim GAA
The Antrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Antrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Antrim. The county board is also responsible for the Antrim inter-county teams...

 the Tipp hurlers booked a place against 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. At the final whistle only four points separated the sides; however, ‘the Cats’ took the spoils and brought an end to a disappointing season for Corbett.

In 2003 Corbett played a key role in helping his team reach the final of the National League. Kilkenny were the opponents and a high-scoring game ensued. Both sides conceded five goals, however, at the full-time whistle only a point stood between Tipp and a draw. Kilkenny won the game by 5-14 to 5-13. Tipperary exited the provincial championship at an early stage, however, by maneuvering through the newly-expanded qualifiers the team reached the All-Ireland semi-final stage for a third consecutive year. Kilkenny were the opponents once again, however, Tipp were now in decline. A twelve-point 3-18 to 0-15 trouncing resulted in a victory for Kilkenny.

After an even more lackluster season in 2004, Tipperary bounced back to each the Munster final in 2005. Corbett, however, played no part in the rest of Tipp's season.

2006 saw the return of Babs Keating as Tipperary manager as Corbett lined out in the Munster final against Cork. The result was the same as the previous year as ‘the Rebels’ defeated their greatest rivals by 2-14 to 1-14. The subsequent All-Ireland quarter-final was a repeat of the provincial semi-final with Waterford providing the opposition. While Tipp won the first outing, Waterford turned the tables for the second installment with a 3-13 to 1-22 defeat of Corbett's side.

2007 was also a write-off as far as Tipperary were concerned, however, 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...

 took over as manager for 2008 and things began to change for the premier county. Tipp began the year well by winning the pre-season 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 their National League campaign before meeting Galway in the final. In an exciting game Tipp emerged victorious by 3-18 to 3-16 and Corbett collected a second National League winners’ medal. He also finished the game with the man of the match award. Tipp later qualified for a Munster final
2008 Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final
-External links:*...

 showdown with Clare. The game was far from a classic, however, Tipperary still won by 2-21 to 0-19 giving Cornett only his second Munster winners’ medal. In the build-up to the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final against Waterford there was much discussion about Tipp. After an unbeaten run throughout the whole year many viewed the game as a formality as Tipp were seemingly guaranteed a place in the championship decider. Not for the first time Waterford turned the tables on Tipp in the penultimate stage as the Decies won by 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, the defending champions, 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, Corbett's side were widely lauded for their performance. The subsequent championship campaign saw Tipp reach the Munster final
2009 Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final
The 2009 Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final was a hurling match played on 12 July 2009 at Semple Stadium, Thurles, County Tipperary between Tipperary and Waterford. Tipperary claimed their third Munster Championship of the decade, beating Waterford on a scoreline of 4-14 to 2-16, a 4 point...

 for a second consecutive year. Waterford, the team that had put Tipp to the sword in the All-Ireland semi-final the previous year provided the opposition. Tipp raced into a decisive 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, with Corbett chipping in with 2-2 from play. It was his third Munster winners’ medal. This victory allowed Tipperary to advance to an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with 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...

 in Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...

, which they won by 24 points. Corbett, in spite of remaining scoreless for fifty minutes, ended the day with a hat-trick of goals. On 6 September 2009, Tipperary and Corbett faced Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final, but were unlucky to end up losing by 2-22 to 0-23. In September 2009, Corbett was nominated for the All Stars Hurler of the Year and for the 2009 All Star Team
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...

.

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 Corbett'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 Corbett and a fourth by Noel McGrath denied Kilkenny's drive-for-five and secured a remarkable 4-17 to 1-18 victory. It was Corbett's second All-Ireland winners' medal. He also received the Sunday Game
The Sunday Game
The Sunday Game is Raidió Teilifís Éireann's main Gaelic games television programme. It is shown on RTÉ Two every Sunday during the Football Championship and Hurling Championship seasons. It is one of RTÉ Two’s longest-running shows, having been on air since 1979, one year after the channel first...

man of the match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...

 award.
In October 2010, Corbett won his second All Star award and was also named as the Hurler of the Year for 2010.

Inter-provincial

Corbett also had the honour of being called up for duty with the 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:...

 team in the inter-provincial series of games. He first played for his province in 2007 as Munster defeated Leinster
Leinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...

 to set up an inter-provincial final with Connacht
Connacht 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:...

. A disputed goal gave Munster a 2-22 to 2-19 victory over the westerners in the first hurling game to be played under floodlights 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...

.

In 2008 Corbett was included on the Munster team once again. Leinster provided the opposition in the final on that occasion, however, Corbett's side fell by 1-15 to 1-12.

Thurles Sarsfields

  • Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship
    Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship
    The Tipperary Senior Hurling Club Championship is an annual club competition between the top Tipperary hurling clubs...

    :
    • Winner (3): 2005, 2009, 2010
    • Runner-up (5): 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008
  • Tipperary Under-21 Hurling Championship:
    • Winner (1): 2002
  • Tipperary Minor Hurling Championship:
    • Winner (1): 1999

Tipperary

  • All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
    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....

    :
    • Winner (2): 2001, 2010
    • Runner-up (2): 2009, 2011
  • Munster Senior Hurling Championship
    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....

    :
    • Winner (4): 2001, 2008, 2009 2011
    • Runner-up (3): 2002, 2005, 2006
  • 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...

    :
    • Winner (2): 2001, 2008
    • Runner-up (2): 2003, 2009

Individual

  • All-Stars: 2
    • 2009, 2010
  • Texaco Hurler of the Year
    Texaco Hurler of the Year
    The Texaco Hurler of the Year is a hurling award, created in 1958, that honours the achievements of a hurler of outstanding excellence. The award is part of the Texaco Sportstars Awards, in which Irish sportspeople from all fields are honoured....

    : 1
    • 2010
  • All-Stars Hurler of the Year
    Vodafone Hurler of the Year
    The Gaelic Athletic Association Gaelic Players' Association All Stars Hurler of the of the Year, formerly known as the Vodafone Hurler of the Year and the Eircell Hurler of the Year, is a hurling award, created in 1995, that honours the achievements of a hurler of outstanding excellence...

    : 1
    • 2010
  • GPA Hurler of the Year
    GPA Hurler of the Year
    The GPA Hurler of the Year is a hurling award that honours the achievements of a hurler of outstanding excellence. At the end of every Hurling Championship the members of the Gaelic Players Association, the players 'union', vote on which of its members has played the best hurling in the previous...

    : 1
    • 2010

External links


Teams

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