Liam Dunne
Encyclopedia
Liam Dunne is an Irish
retired hurler
and is the current manager of the Wexford
senior hurling team.
Regarded as one of Wexford's all-time greats, Dunne enjoyed a senior inter-county career that spanned three decades. During that time he won one All-Ireland
winners' medals, two Leinster
winners' medals and three All-Star
awards.
At club level Dunne played with the Oulart-the-Ballagh club for more than twenty years, winning six county club championship winners' medals.
, County Wexford
in 1968. He was educated locally at Oulart national school where his hurling
ability first came to the fore. Dunne first tasted success when he won two Rackard League titles with the school in 1977-78 and 1980-81. Dunne later went on to become one of the most popular players for Wexford
during the 1990s.
club and had much success in his youth, including winning a Slaney Hurling title. The club had never won a senior county championship title in its history when Dunne began his club hurling career. All this changed in 1994 when Oulart-the Ballagh and Dunne captured the county title. He added a second county championship to his collection in 1995. A third county medal followed for Dunne in 1997. The new century brought further success for the famous side as Dunne added two further back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005. His side were beaten in their quest for a third consecutive county championship in 2006, however, he won another county medal in 2007.
minor hurling team in 1985. That year he won a Leinster
title as a substitute before later collecting an All-Ireland
runners-up medal as a sub following a defeat against Cork. In 1986 Dunne played his second Leinster final, however, his side were defeated by Offaly
. In spite of this defeat Dunne's performance was so good that he was immediately called up to join the county under-21 panel. He later collected an All-Ireland
runners-up medal in this grade following a heavy defeat by Galway
. He would have little further success during his four years on the under-21 team.
In 1988 Dunne made his senior debut against Laois
in the first-round of the Leinster Championship
. His performance was good enough and he secured a regular place on the team in 1989. Wexford hurling was still in the doldrums, however, Dunne collected an All-Star award for his outstanding performances in the 1990 championship. Success at senior level eluded him for much of the 1990s as Wexford lost countless Leinster and National League finals, however, he won a second All-Star award in 1993. Three years later in 1996 Dunne collected his first senior Leinster
title. It was Wexford's first provincial title since 1977. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Dunne's side take on Limerick
, the defeated finalists of 1994. The game itself was far from a classic as fourteen-man Wexford defeated the Munstermen giving Dunne a coveted All-Ireland
medal. Dunne captured a second Leinster title in 1997, however, the introduction of the so-called 'back-door' system resulted in the defeated Munster and Leinster finalists receiving a second chance to win the All-Ireland title. In the All-Ireland semi-final Wexford were defeated by Tipperary
, the Munster runners-up. The following few years proved difficult as Wexford and Dunne faced a resurgent Kilkenny
that would win the next six Leinster titles. In 2003 Wexford were on the way back as they held Cork to a draw in the All-Ireland semi-final. Wexford, however, were trounced in the replay. Shortly after this defeat Dunne announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.
Dunne released his hit autobiography, 'I Crossed the Line' in 2004 after an illustrious playing career. He gave the readers an insight into his private life. Liam is married to Eithne and they have three children, Billy, Aoife and Jack. Liam is a relation of Ballinteer St. Johns
hurler Rónán Dunne.
In early 2009, Liam began his managerial career by taking over the Oulart
senior team. Liam's close friend and former team-mate Dave Guiney suggested that Liam take the job and at the AGM
Liam put his name forward.
In November 2011 Dunne was appointed as Wexford Senior hurling manager to succeed Colm Bonnar
.
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 hurler
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 is the current manager of the Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
senior hurling team.
Regarded as one of Wexford's all-time greats, Dunne enjoyed a senior inter-county career that spanned three decades. During that time he won one 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' medals, two Leinster
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....
winners' medals and three 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.
At club level Dunne played with the Oulart-the-Ballagh club for more than twenty years, winning six county club championship winners' medals.
Early life
Liam Dunne was born in the village of OulartOulart
Oulart , is a small village in the southeastern corner of Ireland. It is situated in County Wexford just off the R741 regional road halfway between the towns of Gorey to the north and Wexford to the south.Oulart's population is 197....
, County Wexford
County Wexford
County Wexford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wexford. In pre-Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, whose capital was at Ferns. Wexford County Council is the local...
in 1968. He was educated locally at Oulart national school where his 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...
ability first came to the fore. Dunne first tasted success when he won two Rackard League titles with the school in 1977-78 and 1980-81. Dunne later went on to become one of the most popular players for Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
during the 1990s.
Club
Dunne played his club hurling with the famous Oulart the BallaghOulart the Ballagh
Oulart the Ballagh are a Gaelic Athletic Association club in County Wexford. Oulart have won the Wexford Senior Hurling Championship on six occasions, most recently in 2007. Their main rivals are Buffer's Alley...
club and had much success in his youth, including winning a Slaney Hurling title. The club had never won a senior county championship title in its history when Dunne began his club hurling career. All this changed in 1994 when Oulart-the Ballagh and Dunne captured the county title. He added a second county championship to his collection in 1995. A third county medal followed for Dunne in 1997. The new century brought further success for the famous side as Dunne added two further back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005. His side were beaten in their quest for a third consecutive county championship in 2006, however, he won another county medal in 2007.
Inter-county
Dunne first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the WexfordWexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
minor hurling team in 1985. That year he won a Leinster
Leinster Minor Hurling Championship
The ESB Leinster Minor Hurling Championship is the Minor "knockout" competition in the game of Hurling played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council...
title as a substitute before later collecting an All-Ireland
All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor Championship is an annual competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for competitors under eighteen years of age in the game of hurling played in Ireland.The series of games are played during the summer months with the All-Ireland final...
runners-up medal as a sub following a defeat against Cork. In 1986 Dunne played his second Leinster final, however, his side were defeated by 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 spite of this defeat Dunne's performance was so good that he was immediately called up to join the county under-21 panel. He later collected an 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...
runners-up medal in this grade following a heavy defeat 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,...
. He would have little further success during his four years on the under-21 team.
In 1988 Dunne made his senior debut against Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
in the first-round of the Leinster Championship
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....
. His performance was good enough and he secured a regular place on the team in 1989. Wexford hurling was still in the doldrums, however, Dunne collected an All-Star award for his outstanding performances in the 1990 championship. Success at senior level eluded him for much of the 1990s as Wexford lost countless Leinster and National League finals, however, he won a second All-Star award in 1993. Three years later in 1996 Dunne collected his first senior Leinster
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....
title. It was Wexford's first provincial title since 1977. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Dunne's side take on 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...
, the defeated finalists of 1994. The game itself was far from a classic as fourteen-man Wexford defeated the Munstermen giving Dunne a coveted 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. Dunne captured a second Leinster title in 1997, however, the introduction of the so-called 'back-door' system resulted in the defeated Munster and Leinster finalists receiving a second chance to win the All-Ireland title. In the All-Ireland semi-final Wexford were defeated by 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...
, the Munster runners-up. The following few years proved difficult as Wexford and Dunne faced a resurgent 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...
that would win the next six Leinster titles. In 2003 Wexford were on the way back as they held Cork to a draw in the All-Ireland semi-final. Wexford, however, were trounced in the replay. Shortly after this defeat Dunne announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.
Post-playing career
In retirement from playing Dunne maintained a keen interest in the game. He took over as a selector with the Wexford minor hurling management team in 2007.Dunne released his hit autobiography, 'I Crossed the Line' in 2004 after an illustrious playing career. He gave the readers an insight into his private life. Liam is married to Eithne and they have three children, Billy, Aoife and Jack. Liam is a relation of Ballinteer St. Johns
Ballinteer St. Johns
Ballinteer St. Johns is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Ballinteer, south Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Gaelic football and hurling are played....
hurler Rónán Dunne.
In early 2009, Liam began his managerial career by taking over the Oulart
Oulart
Oulart , is a small village in the southeastern corner of Ireland. It is situated in County Wexford just off the R741 regional road halfway between the towns of Gorey to the north and Wexford to the south.Oulart's population is 197....
senior team. Liam's close friend and former team-mate Dave Guiney suggested that Liam take the job and at the AGM
AGM
-Military and navy:* Air-to-ground missile, a missile designed to be launched from military aircraft* Artillery Gun Module, an air-portable self-propelled howitzer...
Liam put his name forward.
In November 2011 Dunne was appointed as Wexford Senior hurling manager to succeed Colm Bonnar
Colm Bonnar
Colm Bonnar is a Irish former hurling manager and retired player.A midfielder at all levels, Bonnar enjoyed a successful playing career at club level with Cashel King Cormac’s in Tipperary and Dunhill in Waterford and at inter-county level with Tipperary...
.