Nick O'Donnell
Encyclopedia
Nick O'Donnell was an Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
at various times with his local clubs Éire Óg
in Kilkenny and St. Aidan’s in Wexford. He was also a member of both the Kilkenny
and Wexford
senior inter-county teams from 1947 until 1962. He is widely regarded as the greatest full-back in the history of hurling.
O’Donnell’s status as one of the all-time greats is self-evident. In a senior inter-county career that lasted for fifteen years he won three All-Ireland
titles, six Leinster
titles, two National Hurling League
titles and one Railway Cup title.
O’Donnell has also been the recipient of many awards and honours off the field. In 1960 his hurling prowess earned him the prestigious Texaco Hurler of the Year
award. He was later honoured in 1984 when he was named, by popular demand, in the full-back position on the GAA Hurling Team of the Century
. O’Donnell was named in the same position on the GAA Hurling Team of the Millennium
in 2000.
, County Kilkenny
in 1925. He was educated locally and was known as a shy and retiring gentleman. O’Donnell lived in Graiguenamanagh until 1950 when he moved to Enniscorthy
, County Wexford
to work with Roadstone Ltd. He remained in his adopted county until his death in 1988.
days he played with Éire Óg, a club based in Kilkenny
. Here he enjoyed some success as he won senior county titles in 1955, 1945 and 1947. After moving the Enniscorthy O’Donnell joined the St. Aidan’s club in the town. He enjoyed much success here throughout the 1950s, winning county titles in 1952, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1959.
inter-county selectors. He joined the inter-county junior hurling team in 1946 and went on to win an All-Ireland
title in this grade following victories over Galway
in the Home Final and London
in the final. In 1947 O’Donnell earned a call up onto the Kilkenny senior hurling team. That year he was a substitute when his native-county captured the Leinster
title. O’Donnell was a substitute again when Kilkenny later defeated Cork in, what has been described as, the greatest All-Ireland final of all-time. ‘The Cats’ won the game on a score line of 0-14 to 2-7. Only twenty winners’ medals were presented, however, since O’Donnell was only a non-playing substitute he got no All-Ireland medal. It was a disappointment that remained for many years after.
Following O’Donnell’s move to Enniscorthy in 1950 O’Donnell was informed that there was no longer a place for him on the Kilkenny senior team. As a result of this he was invited to join the Wexford
senior hurling team, making his debut against Dublin
in 1951. That year he won his first Leinster medal following a victory over Laois
in the provincial decider. O’Donnell later lined out in his first All-Ireland final, with Tipperary
providing the opposition. The Tipp forwards ran riot scoring 7-7 to Wexford’s total of 3-9. Tipp’s Tony Reddin
gave an absolute exhibition of goalkeeping skills as he fought off the challenge of Nicky Rackard
. Three years later in 1954 O’Donnell captured a second Leinster title before later lining out in his second championship decider. Cork provided the opposition on this occasion as a record crowd of almost 85,000 people turned up at Croke Park
. The game ended with a victory for ‘the Rebels’ and a record eighth All-Ireland medal for the legendary Christy Ring
. O’Donnell was forced to leave the field with an injured collar bone following a clash with Ring.
In 1955 Wexford gave their adopted son the honour of being their captain. That year Wexford completed a provincial double with O’Donnell collecting his third Leinster medal following a victory over Kilkenyn in a replay. O’Donnell subsequently lined out in his third All-Ireland final, however, he had yet to end up on the winning side. Galway, who had been given a bye to the final without ever playing a game, provided the opposition. At half-time the men from the West led by 2-5 to 2-3 courtesy of two goals from 18-year-old schoolboy Paddy Egan. Wexford turned things around in the second-half and sealed the deal with a 3-13 to 2-8 win. O’Donnell had finally captured his first All-Ireland
medal and was the first Wexford player to receive the new Liam McCarthy Cup
. In 1956 Wexford continued their dominance with O’Donnell collecting a first National Hurling League
medal. He later won his fourth Leinster title as Wexford defeated their great rivals Kilkenny for a second year in-a-row. This victory lead to a subsequent All-Ireland final meeting with Cork, the team that defeated Wexford just two years previously. Once again a huge crowd of over 83,000 people packed into Croke Park to witness history in the making. Cork’s legenfary Christy Ring was hoping to capture a record-breaking ninth All-Ireland medal while Wexford were hoping to complete a famous two-in-a-row. The game turned on one important incident as the Wexford goalkeeper, Art Foley
, made a miraculous save from a Ring shot and cleared the sliothar up the field to set up another attack. Wexford went on to win the game on a score line of 2-14 to 2-8. In spite of Cork's loss O'Donnell and Bobby Rackard
of Wexford, in an unparalleled display of sportsmanship in any game, raised Ring onto their shoulders and carried him off the field. Wexford had won the game but there was no doubt in their minds that the real hero was Ring.
Wexford surrendered their provincial crown the following year, however, the team returned in 1958 with O’Donnell collecting a second National League title. Two years after in 1960 he won his fifth Leinster title as Wexford got the better of Kilkenny once again in the provincial decider. O’Donnell, who wa scaptain of the team once again, subsequently lead his men out in Croke Park for an All-Ireland final meeting with Tipperary. It was only the third ever meeting between these two sides in the championship. Tipp were the red-hot favourites and a certain over-confidence seemed to creep in. The game ended in remarkable circumstances as the crowd invaded the pitch with a minute to go, mistaking the referee’s whistle for the end of the game. When the crowd were finally moved off the pitch Tipperary continued playing with only twelve men, however, Wexford won the game on a score line of 2-15 to 0-11. O’Donnell lifted the McCarthy Cup for the second time and collected his third All-Ireland medal. Wexford surrendered their provincial crown to Dublin
in 1961, however, the team bounced back in 1962 with O’Donnell collecting his sixth provincial title. The team later squared up to Tipperary in the All-Ireland final, however, Wexford were not the force of old and the side got off to possibly the worst start ever by a team in a championship decider. After just ninety seconds the Leinster champions were down by 2 goals, however, the game turned out to be much closer than people expected. Tipp eventually secured the win on a score line of 3-10 to 2-11. This defeat brought the curtain down on O’Donnell’s inter-county career.
inter-provincial team. That year he captained his province to victory, and was accompanied on the team by nine of his fellow Wexford players. He continued to play with Leinster until 1961, however, Munster
were the dominant force in the Railway Cup at the rime.
’s Hurling Team of the Century. His reputation as the undisputed greatest full-back of all-time was further cemented in 2000 when he was named in the No.3 position on the Hurling Team of the Millennium.
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...
at various times with his local clubs Éire Óg
Éire Óg GAA
Éire Óg GAA may refer to:*Éire Óg Anacarty GAA*Éire Óg Greystones GAA*Nenagh Éire Óg GAA*Éire Óg GAA...
in Kilkenny and St. Aidan’s in Wexford. He was also a member of both the 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...
and 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 inter-county teams from 1947 until 1962. He is widely regarded as the greatest full-back in the history of hurling.
O’Donnell’s status as one of the all-time greats is self-evident. In a senior inter-county career that lasted for fifteen years he won three 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....
titles, six 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....
titles, two 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...
titles and one Railway Cup title.
O’Donnell has also been the recipient of many awards and honours off the field. In 1960 his hurling prowess earned him the prestigious 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....
award. He was later honoured in 1984 when he was named, by popular demand, in the full-back position on the GAA Hurling Team of the Century
GAA Hurling Team of the Century
The Hurling Team of the Century was chosen as part of the Gaelic Athletic Association's centenary year celebrations in 1984 to comprise, as a fifteen-member side divided as one goalkeeper, three half-backs, two midfielders, three half-forwardss and three full-forwards, the best hurling players of...
. O’Donnell was named in the same position on the GAA Hurling Team of the Millennium
GAA Hurling Team of the Millennium
The GAA Hurling Team of the Millennium was announced by GAA President Seán McCague at a special dinner at Croke Park on 24 July 2000. The initiative was sponsored by An Post who issued special commemorative stamps of the Millennium team members. The team was chosen to comprise, as a...
in 2000.
Biography
Nicholas O’Donnell was born in GraiguenamanaghGraiguenamanagh
-Recreation:Walking and hillclimbing are among the more popular pursuits of Graiguenamanagh area and with the South Leinster Way meandering through the lovely Barrrow Valley and traversing nearby Brandon Hill, scope is provided for the a gentle stroll or a vigorous,day-long hike. The Barrow's...
, County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny 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 city of Kilkenny. The territory of the county was the core part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraige which in turn was the core of the Diocese of...
in 1925. He was educated locally and was known as a shy and retiring gentleman. O’Donnell lived in Graiguenamanagh until 1950 when he moved to Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy is the second largest town in County Wexford, Ireland. The population of the town and environs is 9538. The Placenames Database of Ireland sheds no light on the origins of the town's name. It may refer either to the "Island of Corthaidh" or the "Island of Rocks". With a history going...
, 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...
to work with Roadstone Ltd. He remained in his adopted county until his death in 1988.
Club
In O’Donnell’s early 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...
days he played with Éire Óg, a club based in Kilkenny
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
. Here he enjoyed some success as he won senior county titles in 1955, 1945 and 1947. After moving the Enniscorthy O’Donnell joined the St. Aidan’s club in the town. He enjoyed much success here throughout the 1950s, winning county titles in 1952, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1959.
Inter-county
O’Donnell’s skills at club level brought him to the attention of the KilkennyKilkenny 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...
inter-county selectors. He joined the inter-county junior hurling team in 1946 and went on to win an All-Ireland
All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship was a hurling competition organized by the Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland. The competition was originally contested by the second teams of the strong counties, and the first teams of the weaker counties...
title in this grade following victories over 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,...
in the Home Final and 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...
in the final. In 1947 O’Donnell earned a call up onto the Kilkenny senior hurling team. That year he was a substitute when his native-county captured the 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. O’Donnell was a substitute again when Kilkenny later defeated Cork in, what has been described as, the greatest All-Ireland final of all-time. ‘The Cats’ won the game on a score line of 0-14 to 2-7. Only twenty winners’ medals were presented, however, since O’Donnell was only a non-playing substitute he got no All-Ireland medal. It was a disappointment that remained for many years after.
Following O’Donnell’s move to Enniscorthy in 1950 O’Donnell was informed that there was no longer a place for him on the Kilkenny senior team. As a result of this he was invited to join 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, making his debut against Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
in 1951. That year he won his first Leinster medal following a victory over 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 provincial decider. O’Donnell later lined out in his first All-Ireland final, 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...
providing the opposition. The Tipp forwards ran riot scoring 7-7 to Wexford’s total of 3-9. Tipp’s Tony Reddin
Tony Reddin
Martin Charles Reddington , better known as Tony Reddin, is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling at various times with his local clubs Castlegar in Galway and Lorrha-Dorrha in Tipperary from the 1930s until the 1950s...
gave an absolute exhibition of goalkeeping skills as he fought off the challenge of Nicky Rackard
Nicky Rackard
Nicholas Rackard better known as Nicky or Nickey Rackard, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local Rathnure club and was a member of the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1940 until 1956...
. Three years later in 1954 O’Donnell captured a second Leinster title before later lining out in his second championship decider. Cork provided the opposition on this occasion as a record crowd of almost 85,000 people turned up 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...
. The game ended with a victory for ‘the Rebels’ and a record eighth All-Ireland medal for the legendary Christy Ring
Christy Ring
Nicholas Christopher Michael Ring , better known as Christy Ring, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the Glen Rovers club from 1941 until 1967 and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1939 until 1963. Ring is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in...
. O’Donnell was forced to leave the field with an injured collar bone following a clash with Ring.
In 1955 Wexford gave their adopted son the honour of being their captain. That year Wexford completed a provincial double with O’Donnell collecting his third Leinster medal following a victory over Kilkenyn in a replay. O’Donnell subsequently lined out in his third All-Ireland final, however, he had yet to end up on the winning side. Galway, who had been given a bye to the final without ever playing a game, provided the opposition. At half-time the men from the West led by 2-5 to 2-3 courtesy of two goals from 18-year-old schoolboy Paddy Egan. Wexford turned things around in the second-half and sealed the deal with a 3-13 to 2-8 win. O’Donnell had finally captured 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 and was the first Wexford player to receive the new Liam McCarthy Cup
Liam McCarthy Cup
The MacCarthy Perpetual Challenge Cup is a trophy awarded annually by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the hurling team that wins the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.-The trophy:...
. In 1956 Wexford continued their dominance with O’Donnell collecting a first 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. He later won his fourth Leinster title as Wexford defeated their great rivals Kilkenny for a second year in-a-row. This victory lead to a subsequent All-Ireland final meeting with Cork, the team that defeated Wexford just two years previously. Once again a huge crowd of over 83,000 people packed into Croke Park to witness history in the making. Cork’s legenfary Christy Ring was hoping to capture a record-breaking ninth All-Ireland medal while Wexford were hoping to complete a famous two-in-a-row. The game turned on one important incident as the Wexford goalkeeper, Art Foley
Art Foley
Michael Arthur Foley , better known as Art Foley, is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club St. Aidan's of Enniscorthy and with the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1946 until 1956.-Club:...
, made a miraculous save from a Ring shot and cleared the sliothar up the field to set up another attack. Wexford went on to win the game on a score line of 2-14 to 2-8. In spite of Cork's loss O'Donnell and Bobby Rackard
Bobby Rackard
Bobby Rackard was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Rathnure and with the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1945 until 1957. Rackard is regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time.-Club:...
of Wexford, in an unparalleled display of sportsmanship in any game, raised Ring onto their shoulders and carried him off the field. Wexford had won the game but there was no doubt in their minds that the real hero was Ring.
Wexford surrendered their provincial crown the following year, however, the team returned in 1958 with O’Donnell collecting a second National League title. Two years after in 1960 he won his fifth Leinster title as Wexford got the better of Kilkenny once again in the provincial decider. O’Donnell, who wa scaptain of the team once again, subsequently lead his men out in Croke Park for an All-Ireland final meeting with Tipperary. It was only the third ever meeting between these two sides in the championship. Tipp were the red-hot favourites and a certain over-confidence seemed to creep in. The game ended in remarkable circumstances as the crowd invaded the pitch with a minute to go, mistaking the referee’s whistle for the end of the game. When the crowd were finally moved off the pitch Tipperary continued playing with only twelve men, however, Wexford won the game on a score line of 2-15 to 0-11. O’Donnell lifted the McCarthy Cup for the second time and collected his third All-Ireland medal. Wexford surrendered their provincial crown to Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
in 1961, however, the team bounced back in 1962 with O’Donnell collecting his sixth provincial title. The team later squared up to Tipperary in the All-Ireland final, however, Wexford were not the force of old and the side got off to possibly the worst start ever by a team in a championship decider. After just ninety seconds the Leinster champions were down by 2 goals, however, the game turned out to be much closer than people expected. Tipp eventually secured the win on a score line of 3-10 to 2-11. This defeat brought the curtain down on O’Donnell’s inter-county career.
Leinster
In 1956, having previously been told that there was no place for him on the team, O’Donnell took over the full-back position on the LeinsterLeinster 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...
inter-provincial team. That year he captained his province to victory, and was accompanied on the team by nine of his fellow Wexford players. He continued to play with Leinster until 1961, however, 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:...
were the dominant force in the Railway Cup at the rime.
Post-playing career
Away from the playing fields O’Donnell was regarded as a quiet and a shy individual. In 1984 he was back in the limelight again when he was named in the full-back position on the Gaelic Athletic AssociationGaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
’s Hurling Team of the Century. His reputation as the undisputed greatest full-back of all-time was further cemented in 2000 when he was named in the No.3 position on the Hurling Team of the Millennium.