Liam Currams
Encyclopedia
Liam Currams is an Irish
retired sportsperson. He was a dual player
who played both hurling
and football
for Offaly
in the 1980s.
Liam Currams was born in County Offaly
in 1961. In his youth he was recognised as a great player of Gaelic games
and, in time, he would come to be regarded as one of the all-time greats of both hurling and football. Currams was a key member of both Offaly
teams when the county became a major force in the 1980s. 1980 proved to be a successful year for Currams. That year he won provincial titles in both football
and hurling
, however, both teams were later defeated in the All-Ireland semi-finals. In 1981 Currams captured both provincial titles once again, however, on this occasion both sides reached their respective All-Ireland finals. On the first Sunday in September, Currams won an All-Ireland
medal in hurling. It was Offaly's first ever hurling title. Two weeks later Currams was back in Croke Park
for the All-Ireland football final, however, Offaly were defeated by Kerry
.
In 1982 Currams captured a third consecutive Leinster title in football. In the All-Ireland final Offaly met Kerry once again. The scene was set for Kerry to become the first team in the history of the game to win five All-Ireland football titles in-a-row. The Munster
men had the upper hand for much of the game and were leading by two points with two minutes left to be played. The game, however, was not over as Offaly substitute Séamus Darby
, who had entered the game almost unnoticed, produced an amazing finish when he scored a late goal. Kerry failed to score again to level the match and Offaly, and Currams, went on to claim the All-Ireland title. Currams thus became a member of one of the most exclusive clubs in Gaelic games
, as a player with All-Ireland medals in both hurling and football. He is also one of only four players to have been awarded All-Stars
in both sports.
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...
retired sportsperson. He was a dual player
Dual player
Dual player or dual star is a term used in Gaelic games to describe a player who plays both Men's Gaelic football and Hurling or Ladies' Gaelic football and Camogie. The player doesn't necessarily have to play at the same standard in both sports...
who played both 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...
and football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
for 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 1980s.
Liam Currams was born in County Offaly
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
in 1961. In his youth he was recognised as a great player of Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
and, in time, he would come to be regarded as one of the all-time greats of both hurling and football. Currams was a key member of both 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...
teams when the county became a major force in the 1980s. 1980 proved to be a successful year for Currams. That year he won provincial titles in both football
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...
and hurling
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....
, however, both teams were later defeated in the All-Ireland semi-finals. In 1981 Currams captured both provincial titles once again, however, on this occasion both sides reached their respective All-Ireland finals. On the first Sunday in September, Currams won an 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 in hurling. It was Offaly's first ever hurling title. Two weeks later Currams was back 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...
for the All-Ireland football final, however, Offaly were defeated by 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 1982 Currams captured a third consecutive Leinster title in football. In the All-Ireland final Offaly met Kerry once again. The scene was set for Kerry to become the first team in the history of the game to win five All-Ireland football titles in-a-row. The Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
men had the upper hand for much of the game and were leading by two points with two minutes left to be played. The game, however, was not over as Offaly substitute Séamus Darby
Séamus Darby
Séamus Darby is an Irish former sportsperson who played Gaelic football for County Offaly in the 1970s and 1980s...
, who had entered the game almost unnoticed, produced an amazing finish when he scored a late goal. Kerry failed to score again to level the match and Offaly, and Currams, went on to claim the All-Ireland title. Currams thus became a member of one of the most exclusive clubs in Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
, as a player with All-Ireland medals in both hurling and football. He is also one of only four players to have been awarded All-Stars
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 both sports.