Maurice Leahy
Encyclopedia
Maurice Leahy is a retired Irish
hurling
manager
and former player. He played hurling with his local club Causeway
and with the Kerry
senior inter-county team from 1977 until 1989. Leahy later served as manager of the Kerry senior inter-county team on six separate occasions.
with his local Causeway
club. He enjoyed his first major success in 1979 when he captured his first senior county title. It was Causeway's first championship title since 1932. Leahy added three more county medals to his collection as Causeway completed a remarkable four-in-a-row. He won a fifth county title in 1989.
in 1977. Kerry were the reigning All-Ireland 'B' champions when he joined the panel, however, Kerry surrendered their title. Three years later in 1980 Leahy took on the difficult role of player-manager in 1980. It was the beginning of a successful period for Kerry. 1983 saw Leahy collect an All-Ireland 'B' medal as the men from 'the Kingdom' defeated London
to take the title. He gave up the position of manager following that victory, however, he was reappointed as 'bainisteoir' in 1985. The following year Leahy captured his second All-Ireland 'B' medal as player-manager. He retired from inter-county hurling in 1989.
took charge of Kerry's hurlers. Their victory over Waterford
in the 1993 championship is perhaps one of Kerry's greatest-ever hurling victories. Leahy remained as a selector for most of the 1990s, however, he returned to the top job for the fourth time in 2001. His fourth term in charge saw Kerry defeat Westmeath
to take the National Hurling League
division two title. Leahy was replaced as manager again in 2002, however, he returned for another short stint in 2003. He completed his sixth term as manager between 2006 and 2007.
Leahy has county championship titles with local clubs Ballyheigue
and Lixnaw
. He also managed the Kilcummin footballers as well as Causeway Comprehensive School teams with whom he won 2 All Ireland Vocational Schools title in 2009 and 2010.
He also mamaged the Tralee IT Sigerson Cup team in 2008.
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,...
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...
manager
Manager (Gaelic games)
In Gaelic games, a manager or coach is an individual involved in the direction and instruction of the on-field operations of a team. Managing, or coaching, entails the application of sport tactics and strategies during the game itself, and usually entails substitution of players and other such...
and former player. He played hurling with his local club Causeway
Causeway GAA
Causeway GAA are a hurling team in north County Kerry, Ireland. They play in the Kerry Senior Hurling Championship, North Kerry Championship and Div 1 County League...
and with the 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...
senior inter-county team from 1977 until 1989. Leahy later served as manager of the Kerry senior inter-county team on six separate occasions.
Club
Leahy 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 Causeway
Causeway GAA
Causeway GAA are a hurling team in north County Kerry, Ireland. They play in the Kerry Senior Hurling Championship, North Kerry Championship and Div 1 County League...
club. He enjoyed his first major success in 1979 when he captured his first senior county title. It was Causeway's first championship title since 1932. Leahy added three more county medals to his collection as Causeway completed a remarkable four-in-a-row. He won a fifth county title in 1989.
Inter-county
Leahy made his senior inter-county debut with KerryKerry 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 1977. Kerry were the reigning All-Ireland 'B' champions when he joined the panel, however, Kerry surrendered their title. Three years later in 1980 Leahy took on the difficult role of player-manager in 1980. It was the beginning of a successful period for Kerry. 1983 saw Leahy collect an All-Ireland 'B' medal as the men from 'the Kingdom' defeated London
London GAA
The London County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or London GAA is one of the county boards outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in London...
to take the title. He gave up the position of manager following that victory, however, he was reappointed as 'bainisteoir' in 1985. The following year Leahy captured his second All-Ireland 'B' medal as player-manager. He retired from inter-county hurling in 1989.
Post-playing career
Not long after his retirement from playing Leahy was back as manager again in 1989. His stay was a short one on this occasion a she left without success in 1990. Two years later in 1992 Leahy served as a selector when John MeylerJohn Meyler
John Meyler is an Irish hurling manager and former player,. He played hurling with his local clubs Our Lady's Island and St. Finbarr's and with the Wexford and Cork senior inter-county teams from 1973 until 1987...
took charge of Kerry's hurlers. Their victory over 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 1993 championship is perhaps one of Kerry's greatest-ever hurling victories. Leahy remained as a selector for most of the 1990s, however, he returned to the top job for the fourth time in 2001. His fourth term in charge saw Kerry defeat 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...
to take 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...
division two title. Leahy was replaced as manager again in 2002, however, he returned for another short stint in 2003. He completed his sixth term as manager between 2006 and 2007.
Leahy has county championship titles with local clubs Ballyheigue
Ballyheigue GAA
Ballyheigue GAA is a hurling and gaelic football club in north County Kerry, Ireland. The club competes at all levels of hurling at county and North Kerry and also plays some underage football as well as competing in the county junior football league and the county novice football...
and Lixnaw
Lixnaw GAA
Lixnaw are a Gaelic Athletic Association hurling club in north County Kerry, Ireland. They play in the Kerry Senior Hurling Championship. The club is primarily concerned with the game of hurling but many of their players play football with Finuge. They have won 7 Kerry Senior Hurling...
. He also managed the Kilcummin footballers as well as Causeway Comprehensive School teams with whom he won 2 All Ireland Vocational Schools title in 2009 and 2010.
He also mamaged the Tralee IT Sigerson Cup team in 2008.