Nickey Brennan
Encyclopedia
Nickey Brennan is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Conahy Shamrocks
and with the Kilkenny
senior inter-county team in the 1970s. Brennan was the President
of the Gaelic Athletic Association
from 2006 until 2009.
, played club hurling
and football
with his local club Conahy Shamrocks
. He was a key part of the team that won both junior and intermediate titles in 1976 and 1977.
minor hurling team in the early 1970s. He won a Leinster title at this level in 1971, however, his side were subsequently defeated by Cork in the All-Ireland final. Brennan later joined the Kilkenny under-21 team where he enjoyed more success. In 1974 he won a Leinster title in this grade, before later winning an All-Ireland
medal following a defeat of Waterford. Brennan subsequently joined the Kilkenny senior team, however, it took him a few years to nail down a regular place on the team. He was a member of the panel when ‘the Cats’ won Leinster
titles (1974, 1975, 1978) and All-Ireland
titles (1974, 1975), however, it was 1979 before Brennan won his first provincial title on the field of play. He later collected his first All-Ireland medal following Kilkenny’s defeat of Galway
in the championship decider. Three years later in 1982 Brennan added a National Hurling League
medal to his collection before later winning his second Leinster medal. Kilkenny later defeated Cork in the championship decider giving Brennan his second All-Ireland medal. He won a second National League title at the beginning of 1983, however, he was only a member of the panel when Kilkenny later won Leinster and All-Ireland titles. Brennan retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.
. In 1990 Brennan managed the Kilkenny Under 21 hurlers to All-Ireland success over Tipperary. In 1991 he commenced a four-year term as Chairman of the Kilkenny County Board. In 1995 he succeeded Ollie Walsh
as manager of the Kilkenny senior hurling team. Brennan enjoyed mixed success in this position. He guided his native-county to a Leinster final in 1997, however, his team was defeated by Wexford
. His term as manager came to end when Kilkenny were defeated by the eventual All-Ireland champions, Clare
, in the All-Ireland semi-final. Brennan also served as manager of Kilkenny’s senior football team during the eighties.
Brennan continued an involvement in the administration side of the GAA during the nineties and was elected to the position of Chairman of the Leinster Council
. It was during this incumbency in this post that Brennan launched his bid to become President of the GAA. In April 2005 he defeated his Munster Council
counterpart, Christy Cooney
, and was duly elected President. He took up this position in 2006.
Brennan travelled 160,000 miles in Ireland alone during his three years as President, and visited Great Britain, Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and the Middle East on several occasions, meeting dignitaries such as New York City
mayor Michael Bloomberg
along the way. His term of office ended in 2009, when he was succeeded by Christy Cooney
, who had won the subsequent election.
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 Conahy Shamrocks
Conahy Shamrocks GAA
Conahy Shamrocks is an Irish Gaelic Athletic Association club situated in the small parish of Conahy, in County Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1886, and is therefore one of the oldest in the county...
and with 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...
senior inter-county team in the 1970s. Brennan was the President
Presidents of the Gaelic Athletic Association
The role of President of Gaelic Athletic Association has existed since the foundation of the GAA . The current president of the GAA is Christy Cooney. The role of President involves representing the GAA in Ireland and across the world...
of the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic 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...
from 2006 until 2009.
Playing career
Club
Brennan, along with his brother, KieranKieran Brennan
Kieran Brennan is a former Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Conahy Shamrocks and with the Kilkenny senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s.-Club:...
, played club 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...
with his local club Conahy Shamrocks
Conahy Shamrocks GAA
Conahy Shamrocks is an Irish Gaelic Athletic Association club situated in the small parish of Conahy, in County Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1886, and is therefore one of the oldest in the county...
. He was a key part of the team that won both junior and intermediate titles in 1976 and 1977.
Inter-county
Brennan first came to prominence as a member 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...
minor hurling team in the early 1970s. He won a Leinster title at this level in 1971, however, his side were subsequently defeated by Cork in the All-Ireland final. Brennan later joined the Kilkenny under-21 team where he enjoyed more success. In 1974 he won a Leinster title in this grade, before later winning 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...
medal following a defeat of Waterford. Brennan subsequently joined the Kilkenny senior team, however, it took him a few years to nail down a regular place on the team. He was a member of the panel when ‘the Cats’ won 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 (1974, 1975, 1978) and 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 (1974, 1975), however, it was 1979 before Brennan won his first provincial title on the field of play. He later collected his first All-Ireland medal following Kilkenny’s defeat of 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 championship decider. Three years later in 1982 Brennan added 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 to his collection before later winning his second Leinster medal. Kilkenny later defeated Cork in the championship decider giving Brennan his second All-Ireland medal. He won a second National League title at the beginning of 1983, however, he was only a member of the panel when Kilkenny later won Leinster and All-Ireland titles. Brennan retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.
Post-playing career
In retirement from hurling Brennan became involved in the administration of 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...
. In 1990 Brennan managed the Kilkenny Under 21 hurlers to All-Ireland success over Tipperary. In 1991 he commenced a four-year term as Chairman of the Kilkenny County Board. In 1995 he succeeded Ollie Walsh
Ollie Walsh
Patrick Oliver Walsh , better known as Ollie Walsh, was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1956 until 1972 and subsequently served as manager of the team from 1990 until 1995...
as manager of the Kilkenny senior hurling team. Brennan enjoyed mixed success in this position. He guided his native-county to a Leinster final in 1997, however, his team was defeated by 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...
. His term as manager came to end when Kilkenny were defeated by the eventual All-Ireland champions, 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....
, in the All-Ireland semi-final. Brennan also served as manager of Kilkenny’s senior football team during the eighties.
Brennan continued an involvement in the administration side of the GAA during the nineties and was elected to the position of Chairman of the Leinster Council
Leinster 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...
. It was during this incumbency in this post that Brennan launched his bid to become President of the GAA. In April 2005 he defeated his Munster Council
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:...
counterpart, Christy Cooney
Christy Cooney
Christy Cooney is the current President of the Gaelic Athletic Association...
, and was duly elected President. He took up this position in 2006.
Brennan travelled 160,000 miles in Ireland alone during his three years as President, and visited Great Britain, Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and the Middle East on several occasions, meeting dignitaries such as New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
mayor Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg
Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the current Mayor of New York City. With a net worth of $19.5 billion in 2011, he is also the 12th-richest person in the United States...
along the way. His term of office ended in 2009, when he was succeeded by Christy Cooney
Christy Cooney
Christy Cooney is the current President of the Gaelic Athletic Association...
, who had won the subsequent election.