Michael Cleary (hurler)
Encyclopedia
Michael Cleary is a former Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Nenagh Éire Óg
and with the Tipperary
senior inter-county team in the 1980s and 1990s.
, County Tipperary
in 1966. He is the only son of Peg and James Cleary, he was educated locally and later worked in the family newsagent and restaurant. He has two sisters.
club and enjoyed much success. In the 1980s he won under-16 and under-21 county medals with the club, as well as North Tipperary, county junior medals and a senior League Division medal. In 1995 Cleary won his only senior county title
.
minor hurling team in the early 1980s. He won a Munster title in this grade in 1983, however, there was no subsequent All-Ireland title. Cleary later played on the county’s under-21 team, however, he had little success at this grade. He subsequently joined the Tipp senior team and made his debut in 1988 in a National Hurling League
game against Waterford
. The following year Cleary had his first major success when he won his first senior Munster
title. Tipp later went on to defeat surprise finalists Antrim
in the championship decider, giving Cleary his first All-Ireland
medal. Tipperary sensationally lost their Munster crown to Cork in 1990, however, the team returned in 1991 and Cleary collected his second Munster medal. His team later defeated Kilkenny
, giving Cleary a second All-Ireland medal. Tipp surrendered their Munster title to Cork again in 1992, however, the team bounced back in 1993 and Cleary added a third Munster medal to his collection. Cleary later had the honour of leading his team against Kilkenny in the subsequent All-Ireland final, however, the Munster men were defeated on that occasion. Cleary won a National Hurling League
medal in 1994, however, Tipperary’s hurling fortunes in the championship started to take a downturn. Cleary’s side lost the 1997 Munster final to Clare
, however, the two sides later met in the All-Ireland final due to the introduction of the ‘back-door system.’ Tipp lost by a single point that day and Cleary retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.
Cleary’s other honours include four consecutive All-Star
awards between 1990 and 1993.
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 his local club Nenagh Éire Óg
Nenagh Éire Óg GAA
Nenagh Éire Óg GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association gaelic football and hurling club, located in the town of Nenagh in North County Tipperary, Ireland.-History:Hurling has a long history in Nenagh, being played there long before the founding of the GAA...
and with 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 in the 1980s and 1990s.
Early life
Michael Cleary were born in NenaghNenagh
Nenagh is the county town of North Tipperary in Ireland. It is the administrative centre of North Tipperary and in 2011 it had a recorded population of 7,995. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Ormond Lower...
, County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
in 1966. He is the only son of Peg and James Cleary, he was educated locally and later worked in the family newsagent and restaurant. He has two sisters.
Club
Cleary played his club hurling with his local Nenagh Éire ÓgNenagh Éire Óg GAA
Nenagh Éire Óg GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association gaelic football and hurling club, located in the town of Nenagh in North County Tipperary, Ireland.-History:Hurling has a long history in Nenagh, being played there long before the founding of the GAA...
club and enjoyed much success. In the 1980s he won under-16 and under-21 county medals with the club, as well as North Tipperary, county junior medals and a senior League Division medal. In 1995 Cleary won his only senior county title
Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship
The Tipperary Senior Hurling Club Championship is an annual club competition between the top Tipperary hurling clubs...
.
Inter-county
Cleary first came to prominence as a member of the TipperaryTipperary 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...
minor hurling team in the early 1980s. He won a Munster title in this grade in 1983, however, there was no subsequent All-Ireland title. Cleary later played on the county’s under-21 team, however, he had little success at this grade. He subsequently joined the Tipp senior team and made his debut in 1988 in 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...
game 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...
. The following year Cleary had his first major success when he won his first senior 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....
title. Tipp later went on to defeat surprise finalists 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...
in the championship decider, giving Cleary his 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....
medal. Tipperary sensationally lost their Munster crown to Cork in 1990, however, the team returned in 1991 and Cleary collected his second Munster medal. His team later defeated 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...
, giving Cleary a second All-Ireland medal. Tipp surrendered their Munster title to Cork again in 1992, however, the team bounced back in 1993 and Cleary added a third Munster medal to his collection. Cleary later had the honour of leading his team against Kilkenny in the subsequent All-Ireland final, however, the Munster men were defeated on that occasion. Cleary 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 in 1994, however, Tipperary’s hurling fortunes in the championship started to take a downturn. Cleary’s side lost the 1997 Munster final to 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....
, however, the two sides later met in the All-Ireland final due to the introduction of the ‘back-door system.’ Tipp lost by a single point that day and Cleary retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.
Cleary’s other honours include four consecutive 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 between 1990 and 1993.